, 1878-06-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May II, 1877;

Fuller advices from the Rio Grande
seem to indicate that Gen Ord has grown
tired of attempting TO regulate his move
ments by the arbitrary standard of any OF
the contonding factions across that stream
which today may be in the possession of
the machinery of local government, only
to be elected and violently driven ont to-
morrow, perhaps, by an opposing one
numerically stronger. In 4 general order
supplementary to preceding ones just is
sued, district commanders are instructed
to respect stable state governments there
when they have occasion to pursue
raiders into Mexico; but where the terri
tory invaded is alternately held by rival
factions and there appears no responsible
government, they are to take the shortest
route to the thieves place OF rendezvous
and the most effective methods for the re-
capture of stolen property and the punish
ment of the marautlers treating all seek
Ing to oppose or hamper them as raiders.
OF course this leaves Q. good deal to the
discretion of the commanding officer and
opens thc door to abuses and international
complications. But the past experience
Ot our officers seems opposed to very
rigid observance of etiquette in dealing
with thieves, robbers, aSsaSslnS ana the
dcsperad6es who appear to make mp the
bulk of the northern border population OF
Mexico, If not the officials themselves and
almost any new plan promises as much
mt least. as any Of the old ones. This
viii authorize Ollr officers to ignore the
bravo officials who are too often IN COL
Msion with the thieves and afford them
every opportunity for escape. Gen. Ora
has likely becames convinced that any less
vigorous method of interpreting the order
received more than a year ago viii subject
us 10 the expense Of an interminable sllr-
veillance OF a long frontier line-a service
as irksOme as it Is destitute Of oppOrtuni-
ties to gain reputation and promotion;
and there appears disposition to support
the General in pretty positive measures
about the War Department.
The deadlock in the House remains I'M
broken No important business of and
kind has beer transacted by that body
since Potter offered his resolution
Monday. Several propositions from
the Republican side have been made
from time to time to go on with
the regular business, postponing any FUR
ther attempt to force the passage OF tile
resolution till the arrival OF sufficient
number of democratic abSentees to insure
a quorum, which is expected by to-mor-
row. All such overtures have been re-
iected. But it is suspected that
there il a considerable element among the
Democrats which will vote against POtter's
resolution unless amended so as to pledge
the party against any assault on President
Hnyes' title; and Alexander Stephens and
Others on that side are credited with haV-
ing united to force the party to accept the
Hale amendment, widening the scope of the
investigation so as to include all the re-
publicans contend for, thus relieving the in
yesgation of the charge of being One-sided'
though it would not probably be less par
tiZan.
Representatives from district, state,
and national societies; from the army
and navy; from many grades OF Official
life in tile various departments OF govern
ment and from foreign governments IN the
persons of the 'attachec" OF the legation
here attended the funeral of Professor
Henry Yesterday, In addition to many
hundreds Of private citizens and visitors
here from all sections of the country. He
was known by reputation all over the
world wherever the cause of science has
dcvotee, and personally to many of those
who came out yesterday to pay their last
respects to the illuStrious dead. think 1t
NAV safely he said than no man of the time
widely known as Prof. Henry was has
escaped with as few censures, and none,
certainly, appear to have been more uni
versally respected and yenerated by all
classes. During residence Of more than
n decade in Washington where he had
lived many years, have never heard one
word spoken Of him that conld be con-
strued otherwise than as complimentary to
his professional requirements and as tri-
bute of affection tor his noble qualities.
After several interesting sessions and
visits 10 all the points of interest in and
about town. the convention of the super
intendents of the Insane Asylums oil tins
country and Canada adjourned to meet
again next May at Providence, X; |.