The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-02-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Items and Incidents Noted by
our Special Correspondent.

Special Correspondence New NoRrH-wEsr:
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-There has been
nothing new In Territorial matters since my
last epistle to the North-westerners.
Neither of the fast initiating Territories will
come In this session. Had Judge Bennett
of Dakota introduced his bill for the admis-
sion of that Territory, he might have got il
through. But he wanted TO do things with
too big an auger. His bill provided for the
admission of one part as State and framing
a Territory out of the southern portion. He
will probably try it the other way next
session.
A Northwestern Senator asked Delegate
Maginnis the other day as to the feasibility
of introducing bills early next session for the
admission of Dakota, Montana and Wash
ington Territories. This would give the
growing Northwest great deal of strength
and political Importance. Within the next
two years Montana will have a population
of about 100000, and when the Utah Il
Northern railroad is completed from Salt
Lake city up into Washington Territory she
VIII grow in population proportionately. So
1t may be looked forward to with more than
possibility, that those three Territories will
come in as States during the next admins
tration. And thus il is that the star of EN-
pire and political power is shaping its course
north-westward.
POOR 10.
The Senate has coldly discussed the bill
bestowing lands upon the Indians, in com
munities, and investing them in citizenship.
Some of the New England humanitarians
who had never seen all Indian, thought they
should be endowed with citizenship and
otherwise fondly cared for, notwithstanding
their hairlifting propensities. 1t is also pro-
posed to take care of the 20 tribes which
were recently removed from the Dakota res
ervation by the government, upon coded
lands in the Indian Territory. Upon these
Indians, also, Massachusetts phianthropic
Senator wishes to confer the privilege of CIT
izenshp. 1t is just possible that after that
Territory is colonized with Indians, this
same soft headed and sof; hearted Senator
will introduce a bill for the admission of
that Territory as a State, and thus have two
redskin Senators on the floor with him. 1t
is strange the opaque-eyed heather "no
ticket. no washee" man should be overlook |
ed by our chicken-hearted statesmen.
MINING MATTERS.
There will be no change in the mining
laws this session. The Representatives of
the mining States are opposed to any new
legislation on these matters, and as little in
that direction could be effected with their
opposition, it may be concluded that there
will be no change or amendments to the
present mining laws.
THAT ELECTORAL COUNT
Question has been settled at last. There
was nothing in it, only that the Bourbon
Democracy wished TO make little political
capital in atonement for their biuuders of
the last compaign. They started in with the
ayowed intention of passing joint rule en-
towering either House to throw out State;
or to judge Of the legality or Illegally of
the certificates of the votes of the States,
instead of the Vice-President. They have
backed Gown from that high pressure posi-
ton, and the Vice-President will pass upon
the genuineness of the certificate as has been
the custom under the Constitution, since
the Inauguration of the government. Both
Houses of Congress are largely Democratic,
and it looks as though might have passed
their resolution; but they have backed
sguarely down as In 1877, when they threat
ened to inaugurate Sammy Tilden.
THE APpoRTIoNMENT QUESTION
in one now that will bring Oh an other war
of words. There are three bills pending:
one to increase the number of Representa-
tives from 293 to 30l. BY close calculation
which would require more explanation than
you would allow space for, it is shown that
the Democratic States would gain seven of
these Representatives, and the Republican
States would gain only one. Another propo-
sition is to increase the number to 81. The
Democratic States would gain II Representa-
tives, while the Republican States would
gain only 8. The Republicans propose to
Increase the number to $40. Then each par
ty would gain an equal number, ID. They
consider this the most equitable aud unless
the latter is adopted no apportionment bill
will pass this session. This shows that fig
ures are queer things, and that they can be
so manipulated as to give certain States an
increased representation, when on a fair basis,
that representation would be reduced. Fig
uies may not lie, but those who manipulate
may, which is about the same thing i'll the
end.
THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION
will not be SD stalwart as is imagined; while
it will be aggressive politically, it will not
be oppressive. But there will be something
done toward "free election and fair
count" in the southern States. Things have
got to such pass down there that they are
falling out among themselves about the Off
GERS, and things are exposed. Yet it will be
the aim of the new administration to concil-
late where possible, but be otherwise when
necessary. j. NJ. s.