The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-11-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
40 THE EDITOR or THE NEW NORTHWEST:
II any one outside of our fair city is
un'amiIiar with, and wants for the first
Time To experience the sensation Of SUI
preme disgust, he is invited to call here
and be an eye witness Of what our good
citizens have had laid TO their forbesr-
ance during the last few days in the
manifestations Of Cohen, the vagabond
labor disturber, of whom we have had
occasion 10 speak in former letter.
Growing bolder from the Ienience with
which the authorities seemed disposed
to treat him, which, by the way, his fol-
lowers construed into power, he gath
cred and haTangued these tramps aud
worked upon them until they were
ready 10 follow him Into any kind Of
mischief under oaths to support him, or
die in the attempt. Imagine two humid
red Of these ragged and ignorant men in
| solemn procession, headed by this crack
Drained leader, decorated with blue
badges and scarfs, and bearing a cavalry
sword, making the rounds Of the public
buildings, calling upon the heads Of de-
partments, demanding alleged rights
and issuing Instructions as to how pub
/ lie business should be conducted, and
you have an idea Of the fellows impu-
dence. At the Agricultural Depart
ment they forced their way in past a re-
sisting officer The Secretaries Of the
Interior aud Treasury gave them short
audiences, but plainly told them the law
was being faithfully carried out in each
of their departments, which would be
adhered to. Nightly the space in front
Of City Hall witnessed this uncouth
crowd and listened to low, wild aud in
cendiary language, but who could resist
laughing at the ridiculous spectacle their
last street parade presented? This ape
Of power aud show, Cohen, by the aid
Of hat collections from his crowd, hired
a carriage, and with his secretaries
headed the procession; next came a cart
hauling big bell on which an old ne
gro with a hammer knocked out dis
cordant sounds; this was followed by q
double-fle Of white and black mixture
Of humanity, numbering about two
hundred. Among the many instances
Of reckless impudence, we will simply
state one; Calling upon the prominent
grocers, Messrs. Hall x Hume, they de-
manded rations "for the boys" These
gentlemen asked for a little time to see
TO it, during which time they sum
moned the police. 1t is significant
fact that the Treasury is put under guard
I by force Of 80 men, armed with rifles,
and two companies of artillery. The
authorities have, however, tardily taken
the matter in hand, and these disturb
ances are to be summarily suppressed.
In this connection, it may be well TO
add that the eight-hour law has been
adopted on public works here The
wages are TO remain the same for the
eight that was formerly paid for ten
hours. The workmeu, however, will be
permitted to work the two hours extra
and be paid for the same.
Think of one man having claim Of
500, 100000 against a government too
|
meut of Peru, and steps are being made
to lay it before Congress next winter, in
order that that government may be i'm
pressed with the morality Of paying its
honest debts TO one Of our citizens.
Some forty years ago, Peru passed an
act, offering 10 any person who would
ms Ike valuable discoveries in her Terri
tories, that would add TO her wealth,
One-tLird Of the value Of such discovery.
a French scientist undertook the task,
travelling all through the Peruvian wilds,
aud succeeded in bringing TO light, and
afterward the expectation of the i'm
mense deposits of guanO, from which
the government realized $500, 600, 900.
J The One-third was so large Peru could
not pay il, and a compromise was
agreed upon, but revolution breaking
out defeated the intention. The debt
was finally repudiated by the Presi-
deut, but was afterward revived TO
8 again and again sustain reverses, until
the claimant had finally exhausted all
{ His brother, a Louisiauian, came to his
l aid for one-haIf interest in the claim,
aud now, at this late date, an effort is to
+ be made to make it national matter.
Il will be a matter Of regret to all.
. who know the Hon. Edward NIcPherson,
,, and his zeal and efficiency as chief OF
e the Bureau Of Engraving and Printing,
= that be is about 10 resign his important
,, position to accept an editorialship on
}. the P6jladetphia Press. No prede-
a cessor took livelier interest, nor a
u greater pride in the Bureau and the
, work it turned out. Certainly better
( executed money never before was
o printed than has been put into cireula
tiou during his encumbrancy. If the
5 country is to have greenbacks as the
D only currency, Uncle sam can now do
p the requisite printing better than any
i other typo or printer. FELIX.
Washington, d. =. October II, 1873.
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