The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-02-20
DIR WASHINGTON LETTER.

body else in and about Washington, is
the famous McGarrahan claim. The
/ judiciary committee and public land
committee Of both House and Senate
have each I'm turn wrestled with IL, and
both Houses now have it before them,
with a faint prospect Of getting it out Of
the way forever William AIcGarrahan
is the owner Of a piece of land in Cali
/ fornia, which he purchased Of a grantee
Of the Mexican government. His title
to this land, in all that constitutes evil
dence Of ownership, is perfect, and so,
/ in numberless instances, has been pro-
nounced. Between him and his patent
/ there stands single technical obstacle:
/ \ clerical omission by eopyist in the
Land Oflice-whether accidental or
I fraudulent is unknown-merely formal,
not substantial defect Operating
against MeGarrahan, is a rich corpora
/ ton, known as the New Idria Quick
silver Mining Company, which has
/ fought and baflied the poor Irishman
with the money it has made out Of a
/ quicksilver mine on the premises. This
company is not known TO the Land Of
/ flee records, and nobody knows how it
acquired the shadow Of title TO the
property in question. If it does not be-
/ long to McGarrahan il belongs 10 the
/ United States; yet the manner in which
the company has maintained its fight
is but another illustration of the unjust
power Of wealthy corporations. With
the large profits which rightfuliy belong
10 the man it is comprising to roo, it
brides officials, persuades members Of
Congress, subOrns perjuries, rewards
forgeries, aud subsidies newspapers to
create public sentiment, and SANDER and
ridicule him whom it has determined to
destroy. IL is the quicksilver Of the
New Idria company, secretly admins
tered to persons of power and influence,
that puts in jeopardy the rights of the
proprietor, and prompts the efforts in
iuuumerable ways to defame his charac-
ter, becloud his title, immerse him in
an ocean of expenses, and divest him Of
+ his estate. a report has Just been made
in the Senate which may possibly effect
a settlement of the case. II assumes
! that the title to the property is in the
government, and offers bill referring
= the whole controversy to the courts, by
authorizing the claimant to bring suit
/ against the United States i'm the court or
( claims, with power 10 appeal to the Su.
+ preme Court This is similar 10 the
procedure in the case Of the Hot Spring.
I property II the final decisi u is in
P favor OF the United States, the court is
2 to order the property into the hands Of
a receiver uutil Congress directs what
, shall be done with it. This would seem
r to be fair disposition Of the case, but
} for the well-kuown delays of the courts,
which will give the company plenty oi
time 20 add 10 theirill-gotten gains, and
by the use Of them au unfair advantage
ia the liugttiou.
D And now We have % Congressman from
= Michigan, EI~oorth by usme, who
D thinks he can stop tie flow Of liquor
. in Washington. He a. glt as well un-
< dertake 10 stop the flow ef The Potoma,
b River. But be has introduced bis it'll,
r. bill. Some time ugo Dee summoned th,
keeper of the House restaurant auC
g asked him lf DE was 50 ling beer, wine
g and liquors iu the Capitol. The auswe
= was la the affirmative, accompanied b!
= the information that it ra- only sold {,
e Cougressmeu, and that the majority O
y them were with him. Tnis Is probabl,
: the truth, ami just what Ellsworth is 90
Z ing to do about 10 7 don't see. There i
! already a very stringent rule bauishin
s all drinks of "a bo.1y nature from tb
: building, and Speaker Randall ha
"a stated once or twice that ne iuteuded {
G.. see it enforced. But what's the use9
it is kept out Of the restaurant it goe
y into the committee-ro rooms, for Congress:
"a men will have their tipple. For tim
. there was none on sale on the Hous
ct side, but the Senate caterer kept il, an
m it was interesting to see the pairs
a. Congressmen lock arms and walk ov,
is to the Senate side about every fiftee
minutes. Now all they have 70 do is
go down stairs and ask for cold tea.
~ a stranger goes i'm and orders a cup
!" ~ tea the waiter looks at him sharply
n see If he tips the masonic wink; So
he think il is a mistake about the ssle
ne drinks being confined strictly % Coz
~ gressmen. If the honorable memt'
wants beer or ale, he asks for a pitch'
'w Of milk, and the beverage is brought
er a little silver pitcher holding just a bo
'u tie Of beer.
{" A bill has been introduced in Oh
~ House to regulate the charges OF ti
en Pullman Palsce Car Company aud oth'
sleepinr ears patented by the Unite
states. Il certainly ought to pass.
,Ie there is any one monopoly, more ths
re another, in this country that needs rel
IL ulatiug, it is the Pullman Palace ar
u99 Sleeping Car Company. A good roou
i,s with bath and all conveuieuees attach,
aud an excellent breakfast in the NOR
ing, can be obtained at the very be
i, hotels in the United States for what
", exacted by this monopoly for a narror
contracted bunk 10 a nasty, ill-vent
A., lated ear. At most hotels these accor
r.. modations costs but half the sleepii
od car charges, aud when time is not ii
consideration health and comfort a
#. served by stopping over. Few can e