The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-24
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
[FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT

everybody in Washington when Con-
gress left US. The extra session was an
extraordinary and unauticipated tax
upon those whose labOrs are connected
with Congress, and it has been pro-
longed so unexpectedly into the hot
of those who made money by supplying
COngressmen's daily wants, all are glad
to see the end. It has been a tedious
session for the poor journalists, for
never has it seemed so hard to write
fresh and interesting letters, or to guess,
when necessary, what two or three days
would bring forth. There has been little
left but TO hash and rehash over again,
and to often find our wisest prognostica-
tions knocked into pi. 1t is all over
now, and the members have gone to
hold sweet communion with their con-
stituents. Both sides appeal the issues
to the people.
The winding up was quietly done,
there being as little hustle and as little
excitement of business as l have ever
seen at the close of a session. In both
houses the members mingled together,
bidding each other goodbye, Republi-
cans aud Democrats forgetting the bit
terness of political contest and exchang-
/ ing kind words and pleasant wishes.
Senator Thurman was surrounded by
Senators of both parties, all pressing
| forward to express the hope that the
! Summers rest would restore his health,
now somewhat impaired. While this
was going on, Captain Bassett, with
broomstick in hand, slipped up to the
clock aud turned back the tide Of time
/ five or six minutes, while president pro
/ tem Thurman looked the other way. a
couple of tardy bills were still in the
hands Of the engrossing clerk, aud the
clock was going too fast. It must not
mark the hour of five until the bills
were ready. When they came in and
were signed, Senator Thurman formally
thanked the Senators for the confidence
reposed in him as presiding officer, and
for the courtesy shown him, and an
nOunced the Senate adjourned without
day. In the House, Speaker Randall
made a similar announcement, and the
members silently went for their grip
sacks and started for home, as glad to 20
as were others to have them. There
were rumors OF another session e &
called by the President at once to secure
the marshals' appropriation, but, il the
purpose was entertained, it was absn-
dOned.
One Of the most graceful and satisfao-
tory last acts of the session was the al
most unanimous passage o. Mr.. AIeKen-
zie's (of kentucky bill removing the
duty on quinine. Two or three bills
covering this object were introduced
early in the session, one by Mr.. Nc.
Keuzie himself, but they went to Fer
nando Woods Ways and Means Com
mittee, and, like some other good meas
ures sent there, never saw daylight
again. But perseverance wins, and in
the interim of waiting for adjournment
| Mr.. Mckenzie introduced a new bill on
Monday, and it went through both
houses with rush. A profit of about
500, 600 a year has been monopolized
/ by three or four firms for several wears
past, aud it was a creditable job placing
it on the free list. The revenue received
from the tax amounted to but little over
$4,000 per year, as the tariff was so high
that but a small quantity of the salt was
imported, hence the high price and the
immense profits of the little clique Of
manufacturers in this country. The to-
tai number of bills introduced during
the session were: In the Senate, 722i
and in the House, 1886. There are
vague rumors Of a session to be called in
October.
Superintendent Walker is evidently
resolved to make the next census re-
ports still more complete and reliable
than those Of 1870, which, under his d.
rection, were superior to any previously
collected. He is already engaged in the
preliminary preparations, aud he calls
upon the practicing physicians and sur
geOns for assistance in obtaining a mass
of information as to the deaths in the
country and their causes, which would
be of the greatest interest and value.
He asks them to furnish him returns Of
all the deaths occurring in their prae-
, tice during the year which will end
May 81, 1880, with details as to the
place and date of death, the name, sex,
race or color, age, with date OF birth,
, and occupation of deceased, the cause of
death, etc. General Walker will fur
uish blanks covering the points desired
and he ought to receive the hearty CO.
, operation Of the medical profession. In
most cities and many large towns ply
: sicians are required by general or local
law TO furnish such details to the proper
municipal authority; but in the country
: such requirements do not generally ex-
ist. and the Superintendent can only
obtain the desired Information by the
voluntary assistance Of the doctors. II
,, the profession will heartily unite in this
contribution to the next census returns,
they will do the public great service,
! and the warm Endorsement given the
suggestion at the recent meeting Of the
American Medical Association leads tC
the hope that they will generally re.
spond. Dom PEDRO.
3 Mile. Sarah Rarnhardt il stndvino