The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-13

NUMBER 21.

Edward Mcpherson, secretary of
the republican congressional commit
tee, ex-clerk of the house of represen-
tatives, and probably the best informed
man in Washington as to the makeup
of the next house, figures it out as fol-
lows: Republicans, 14S; greenbackers,
8; total, 293. In the estimate of 14S
republicans Mcpherson counts one
from Newhampshire yet to be elected
to succeed Farr, republican, deceased,
although the district is very close and
the result somewhat doubtful. He
says, however, that the republicans
will not need to rely upon the 14S
votes thus figured upon, which are
only one more than quorum and
three majority over all, because at
least five of the eight greenbackers are
certain to vote with the republicans
in organizing the house and on ordi-
nary political questions. These five
are Smith, Of Brooklyn. who has pro-
claimed himself a republican, and
Ford, Rice, Burroughs and Hazeltine,
of Missouri. Mcpherson says that
entirely confident that the foregoing
estimate will be found correct.
The Pacific Coast Steamship Com
pany has uniform rates of $50 in the
cabin and SO in the steerage from
San Francisco to all the places named
in the list following: Astoria and
Portland, Victoria, Port Townsend,
Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. To
New Westminster and Nanimo the
rates are S25 in the cabin and SIS in
the steerage. To these nine places
they run steamships direct; their ves-
sells at present in service being the
state Of Cdiifornin to Astoria and
Portland; the Victoria to New West
minister and Nanimo, and the lddho
and DAKOTA to Victoria and the Sound
ports.
SKAGIT TGoLD.-When Mr.. Al Smith,
young jeweler, went below, early in
November, he took with him 500 of
Skagit gold dust. The house has been
buying since all that offered, and has
now fat little buckskin bag contain
ing 20 ounces, or $3.50. While this
virgin gold is pretty and exciting to
look upon, it is sad to reflect that
$3.50 represents the seasons time and
work of just about one hundred men;
the average product of the mines to
the man having not not exceeded S11
| or Sl2.-Se0tUe Er.
The Coos Bay Necs says: What
work has been done on our bar is said
| by men, whose experience and oppor-
tunities for observation entitle their
opinions to credit, to fairly demon
strate that the continuation of the sea
wall now commenced to 800 feet, as
proposed by the engineers, will result
in cutting the north spit entirely away,
thus strengthening the channel and
insuring a regular and permanent
depth of not less than from twenty to
twenty-five feet.
A singular error occurred in the cir
cult court at Williamsport, Pa, the
| other day. An important case had
been tried, and the jurors closeted in
room. They could not agree, and
sent out word that six were for con-
viction and seven for acquittal. That
made thirteen, and the sheriff went
in and counted them. Sure enough
there were thirteen, and they had sat
through the entire trial without the
mistake being noticed.
At no time within the past year has
so many buildings been projected in
New Tacoma as at present, and it is
safe to say that with few days OF fair
weather a dozen or more would be
commenced. There are no empty
dwelling houses in town and the de-
mand for them is increasing daily.
All the contractors are busy, and every
carpenter coming to town obtains i'm
mediate employment.-7dcoma Led
ger.
Smallpox is causing a general feel
ing of uneasiness all over the coast,
owing to the prevalence of the disease
in San Francisco. The utmost pre-
caution looking to its exclusion should
be taken at such points as Astoria,
Victoria and Port Townsend. The
alarm in San Francisco il great. Vac
cinaton is all but compulsory, and in
the schools no child is allowed who
will not submit to it.
Analysis of the population of Ore
gon as returned by the census Office
shows this result: Males, 103,3sS; fe-
males, 7l,379; native, 44,321: foreign,
80, 40; white l65, ,0S7; colored, 11,6sO,
which includes 9, SOC Chinese, two Jap
anese, 1863 Indians and half-breeds.
Part Of the excess Of males over females
is accounted forby the fact that nearly
the entire Chinese population is male.
In 1870 Oregon had 1880 Chinese.
Inc IOu1SN1ile toUttT-JOtbHttt says.
The democratic party, which, in 1860,
made wanton attempt to take its own
life, and did recipitate the country
into costly, bloody and senseless war,
has been fiuttering about ever since
without a rudder or compass; seizing
every expedient; catching at every
straw; all things by turns, and moth
ing long.