The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-01-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Territorial Matters In the Ma
tional Capital.


tional Capital.
Special Correspondence New NORTHWEST.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. IL, 1SS1.-In a
conversation with a NEW NORTHWEST
correspondent, Mr.. Chalmers, Of Mississippi,
reiterated his former statement that there
would be no unfriendly" or "hostile"
legislation toward the Northern Pacific Rail-
road during this or any other session. He
thought that road had so far progressed that
opposition would be futile, and the hindering
of its progress an unwise policy. General
Chalmers Is i'm favor of donating a certain
amount Of Government land as "General
Railroad Fund" and thinks 1t would be
beneficial to both the country and the peo-
pie, were the government to more literally
endow such enterprises. Without railroads
the great West will never become prosperous.
SO the Northern Pacific road can proceed, no
anti-subsdies or rival schemes can prevail
against it Tor 1t has several "friends at court"
TERRITORY OF PEMBINA.
At the last session Delegate Bennett, of
Dakota, introduced a bill whacking his Ter
ritory in twain. The part to be sliced off is
to be given the pretty name of Pembna.
The dividing line is to commence at the 10th
degree of latitude on the Red River of the
North, running south to the boundary line of
Minnesota, on the 10Th degree of north lati-
tude, then west to the eastern boundary line
of Montana then north along that boundary
line to the 10th degree of north latitude, and
then eastward to where the 10th degree of
north latitude crosses the Red River of the
North. The Legislative Council of this pro-
posed Territory Is to consist of twelve, and
the House of twenty-four members--that is
If the bill Is ever passed. Mr.. Bennett has
his doubts about it during this session; yet
he has hopes for the next. He said TO your
correspondent the other day that he believed
the chairman of the committee on Terrific
ries had metaphorically sat down on his bill.
Mr.. Bennett thought the people of Dakota
were in favor of the division unanimously,
the only point of division among them be-
ing the exact dividing line on the south,
which was a matter of about six miles.
MORMON MATTERS
are now being more generally discussed by
the members than otherwise, especially since
Governor Murray gave the certificate of cleo
ton to the Gentle candidate, Campbell.
This action of the Governors will compel
the next Congress to meet the Mormon ques-
ton face to face, provided the four-wived
Apostle Cannon makes a contest. The ia
bles will then be changed, and the Apostle
will be the aggressor instead Of the annually
defeated Gentle who came here regularly
every Congress and went through the form
atty of q contest. Possession Is several
points in law, and it has proven to be so in
Congress. The man who came here with
the certificate Of election almost invariably
was invited to keep his seat. There seemed
to be no disposition to 60 behind the Cover
nor's returns. The next House will be Re-
publican, and the Republicans who favor the
counting of the electoral vote by the Presi-
dent will also decide that the Governor of
Utah holds similar position and Is invested
with like authority TO count the vote of that
Territory. Congress has long delayed Crap
plng the polygamous outlaws. Events are
so shaping themselves that it can no longer
be lodged ; and it will be seen whether the
Church, with its tithing-monies, is so strong
that Gentle Congress cannot prevail
against it.
NEW MEXICO WILL KNOCK.
Governor Lew Wallace, of New Mexico,
has been here for the past week, looking out
for the possibility of that Territory coming in
as State. 1t is not known what position the
Governor wants but know Of several poll
ticians who are going to migrate out there to
n. 4
come back as United States Senators.
THE TERRITORIAL DELEGATES.
The Territories are represented on COM
miltees as follows: 80.
Bennett, of Dakota, Committee on Public
Lands. -.....
Downey, of Wyoming, Committee of Ag-
riculture.
Ainslee, of Idaho, Committee on Indian
Affairs. .H..
Martin Maginnis, of Montana, Committee
on Military Affairs.
Cannon, of Utah, Committee on Terrific
ries.
Campbell, of Arizona, Committee on
Mines and Mining.
Otero, of New Mexico, Committee on Coin
age, Weights and Measures.
Thus 1t will be seen that each of the eight
Territories is represented ON only one Com
mittee. The most important Committee,
probably that Of Post Office and Post Roads,
neither of the Territories is represented on.
1t may be matter worthy of note that the
Apostolic Cannon has been selected as the
member for the Committee on Territories,
and that, too, in face of the well understood
fact that Utah will never be admitted as
State, and has less interests in common than
has any other Territory. -....
There Ia no probahiltv that auy of tho
Territories will be admitted this Congress.
Those that are at the door can stay out i'm the
cold until next winter. Congress will barely
be ABLY to Get through with the appropria-
tons, census, refunding and other necessary
bills by the 4th of March. An extra session
is something that is dreaded by both sides
and wanted by neither. r...
OTHER MATTERS.
Monday, Delegate Campbell, Of Arizona,
introduced bill providing for the election,
by the people of the Territories of all local
officials created by legislative enactment.
The President has signed the bill extend
ing Territorial legislative sessions from 40 to
90 days. Steps are being taken to secure the
payment Of the members for the extended 20.
days. ........5
Further talk of removing the capital may
be suspended. The Government buildings
here cost 500, 900 900, and that is too much
to move away from. The buildings did not
actually cost that much in their construction,
but that is what the Government paid the
contractors; and the next set may be less
honest.
PERSONAL. - -..
Roswell H. Mason, Surveyor General OF
Montana, and wife, Of Helena, are the latest
arrivals from Montana. j. M. S.
WASHINGTON NOTES