Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-01-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1880

From the activity of the impor-
tant committees. ard other indi-
cations, | am convinced that there
is really purpose on the part of
the Democratic majority in Con-
gres5 to shorten the session and
effect an early adjournment.
Whether this programme can be
put through successfully,or wheth-
err unforeseen difficulties and an
welcome discussions viii prevent
its execution remains to be seen
The theory of the leaders probably
is that long session, running into
the presidential campaign, cannot
do them any good, and it might
do them much harm. The con-
tested election cases are being put
ahead as rapidly as possible, and
the appropriations will be passed
in shorter time than ever before.
To do this the Old watchword of
economy" will be dropped, and
the amounts to be voted based
upon the bills Of last year, with
out any material reductions.
These are the indications at the
present time, though future events
may change them. AS all signs
fail in dry weather, SO do all midi
cations in politics and Congress
often turn out no index of the final
result. There will be no riders at
tached to any Of the appropria-
tons, nor any features calculated
to stir up a political discussion.
The Mar5hals' deficiency appro-
priation bill is in charge of Mr..
MacMahon, of Ohio. This bill
may reopen some of the questions
which were prominent during the
special session, as there is an item
for marshals appointed in the Cal
ifornia election. The feeling among
the more influential leaders on
both sides is that there will be no
tariff changes, and that while there
will be financial discussion,
there will De no financial legisla-
ton. The low bond bill. offered
by Mr.. Wood, chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee, may
lead to lengthy discussion. The
fact that Secretary Sherman OPP
poses the bill it is thought will
have a great weight. Chairman
Woods friends say that a syndi-
cate Is ready in New York to take
the 81 per cent. bonds at par as
soon as the desired legislation is
effected for their issue. This, too,
will undoub, eddy have great
weight in determining the action
of the House.
We now have another party of
redskins at the capital and the
fremont House, where they are
quartered, is center of attraction
for the curiosity seekers. Chief
Ouray, of the Utes, accompanied
by his wife, and several other
chiefs, compose the party, and
they attract more attention than
any who have previously been
here since the days of Spotted Tail
and Sitting Bull. Three of these
now here participated in the
Thornburgh fight at the White
river agency, but none of them had
any hand in the killing Of Agent
Meeker. Their object in coming
here is 10 adjust terms for remov-
al of the tribe from Colorado, if go
they must, and to obtain the best
terms possible, as well as par
don for the murderers. Ouray
has had two or three secret inter-
views with Secretary Schurz, of
which little can be learned further
than that the old chief seems wor-
ried and unhappy. There is no
probability the Government will
listen to any terms short ola sur
render of the brutes who massa-
cred the agency people and out
ragged the three women. Ouray is
a rather goodlooking Indian, with
an intelligent, MISUNDERSTANDING
countenance, but short and squatty,
as are nearly all the others of the
party, all of whom have the APP
pearance of being well fed. Chipi-
ia, Ouray's wife, is about forty
years of age, with a kindly face
and profusion of long black hair.
She dresses in half Indian cos
tune, with mocasins on her feet
and a blanket thrown over her
shoulders. Her only ornaments,
are silver bracelets aud beads.
The work of the Post Office De-
partment in exposing the various
swindles that make use of the
mails is worthy of high praise. 1t
is wonderful how many people
patronize lotteries, and still more
strange shat there should be so
many who will send large sums of
money to stock brokers, who new