The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1879-12-20

Our Washington Letter
A dall week in Congress Secretary
sherman's Strength Proposed Legis-
lation TIE Vapor Engine, etc.

s6AeiMaN otI6nSCA ITOpOSeu llbRiS-
latfon- Vapor Engine, etc. 5
WASHINGTON. DC, Dec 8, 1879.
EDITOR CHIEF:
The first week of Congress has been
dull. The statesmen who crowd the gal
leries with due advertisement of a
great effort" have not yet come to the
front. Their Mutations will be heard in
due time The Southern ghost will not
down until after the next census and
both Members and Senators are fixing
up for red-hot, frantic or;,tory on the q.
s, Marshals' deficiency bill The fnan-
clal question created !. ripple of excite
i,lent and developed strong opposition to
the policy suggested in the Presidents
message, but the indications are that
neither party is willing to take the re-
sponsibility of action on the Presidents
recommendations, each preferring that
the Supreme Court shall settle the mat
ter by a decision in the Cnittenden- But
Ter case In fact, it is more plain that,
although Congress has IL yearly session,
it is only the two middle years of every
Presidential term which are really avail
able toy legislation. The year before
the Presidential election is given to
political maneuyering for position, and
the year after to distributing spoils and
satisfying claims.
The presidential perspective is all too
nebulous at present to justify confident
prediction, but l may say that i'll the
opinion Of the knowing majority Mr..
Sherman has the whip-hand Personal
popularity he las not /; his presence is re-
pellant and yanti-magnetic his manners
are trigid; he is wanting in all those
qualities that create enthusiasm in Il
following. But it has been more than
once, aud very recently, proved in our
brlef history that the attributes so essen
tial to leaders in Il romantic aye are not |
necessary to the highest success of the
American politician. Mr.. Blaine was
much better known, loved and admired |
BY their party, than Mr.. Hayes, but lie
failed by a few votes to get the nomina-
ton. If NJ. Sherman fails to get the
nomination he will at least never have
to reproach himself for not trying to get |!
it, The four thousand national banks with
their colossal money power are in favor
OF his candidacy. A powerful newspaper
the New York Tribune, the
Cincinnati Commercial, Cincinnati Gu
Sette, Chicago Tribune and many others,
it is asserted, have promised their sup
port. Ohio is for him; the President is
for him: and if the powerful Republican
delegation from the South does not come
to the convention pledged to his support
1T Will not be because the sntiuence and
patronage of the Administration has
been wasted there in the interest of
other aspirants.
Nearly 200 bills were introduced in the
House last week and the source having
been partially draipe.i there will not be
the usual Hood to-day, when the States
will be- regularly called for bills. The
extra session gave members an opportu-
Iity ot offering large numbers OF bills,
and the unanimous consent given last
week also gave them all opportunity to
relieve their dockets. a large number
,f the bills to-day will be of "a private
character, bills which only cucumber the
Record and which should be referred to
! commission especially created for their
The settlement of private
claims by debate and vote in both
Houses OF Congress is the most expen-
i've process that could be devised
Senator Davis of West Virginia who
las a passion tor Treasury investiga-
ions, has introduced Il resolution direct
ng the Secretary of the Treasury to for
ward to the Senate a statement of gov
receipts and expenditures for
he years from 1865 to 1879.
Senator Gordon has presented and will :
Don call up Il resolution pledging full
ANAL Company of which General Grant i
5 to be the head.
Two constitutional amendments of !
eneral interest have SO far been pro-
oscd. One fixes the Presidential term
t six years, prohibiting immediate re-
lection, and the term of Representatives
II Congress at three years. The other 1,
rohibits general legislation OH appro- c
riatlon bills, and giving the President
over to veto parts of such bill with !
ut interference with other portions
The tests made in this city OF the new
apor engine have satisfied the most q
earned experts that Il revolution is to a
IKE place i'll motive power, which will
upercede the use of steam, because of t
IS diminished cost of fuel and nlachin-
~ and its perfect adaptation to engines
lready built and constructed. A large
lctory with all its machinery will soon
e in operation here, propelled by this c
ew motor. Patents have already been
in this and other countries.
Secretary Schurz is unhappy over the
respect of an Investigation into the
ecret cause of the Ute outbreak. Gen.
Gales of North Carolina believes that
le whole Indian business, with Schurz
lrown, when put INTO the scales will be
,und very light weight, if not wanting
Tho frar,,anf