The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-01-28
News Notes From the Ma
tlonal Capital.
Special Correspondence NEW NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1881.

Special Correspondence NEW NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1881.
IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE INVOLVED.
Last Saturday was private calendar day in
the House, and a bill for the relief of Will
liam Redus was reported from the Commit
tee on Indian affairs. 1t authorizes the Sec
rotary of the Treasury to pay him S., 800 out
| of the annuity belonging to the Usage In
dians. On June %, 1872, William Redus
was driving cattle from Texas to Kansas,
on the "Texas cattle trail" and when forty
miles south of the Kansas line, band Of
| these hair lifting wards of the Nation dashed
in and took 140 of his latest beeves. The
bill was reported favorably to the House,
and was generally discussed, the objection
mainly being that the Government had no
legal right to deduct money as damages from
Indian annuities; yet it was shown that in
jured parties have 10 other recourse than
through Congress. A civil suit for damages
against an Indian would not amount to
much. One member stated that there were
claims aggregating over four million dollars
for Indian depredations. Delegate Maginnis
replied that it made 10 difference how many
claims were pending, or for what amount,
the question for the House to consider was
whether this was a correct one. Mr.. Magin-
mis- then proceeded to address the House.
Mr.. Thos. NJ. Hunter, very efficient men,
Der from Arkansas, made ALI argument in Ga
vor of paying the claim. Though this
bill is of no especial interest to Montana
people, l forward the argument as illustrative
of the principle involved, and which will
serve as a precedent for all other Indian
claims which amount to over 81, O00. 900, now
before Congress.
GENERAL AND PERSONAL GOSSIP.
Surveyor-General Mason and wife are at
the Ebbitt. Mr.. Mason, with some others is
engaging in revising the work of the Salt
Lake convention of Surveyors-General, and
in perfecting some amendments to the pres
ent system of surveying. IL is said that Mr..
Andrews, of Columbus, Ohio, the Presi-
dents most intimate personal friend, is
pressing Mr.. Mason for one of the many
paymasterships which may soon become
vacant.
DIR. Greenleaf, of the 3rd U. s. Infantry,
attended the Wool Growers Association at
their meeting at the Ebbitt house on Satur-
day. DR.. Greenleaf is interested in sheep
raising in Montana.
Mr.. Alex. McGregor, another large wool
grower of Meagher county, with his wife
and family passed through here, remaining
Saturday and Sunday. They are on their way
from Minnesota to friends in New England.
Mr.. McGregor has not yet sold his last sea-
sons clip, which Is still on store in Boston.
The Crow treaty has not yet been reported.
IL is, we understand, antagoIized by Mr..
Hooker of Mississippi, who is opposed to all
treaties, and some other members who
think the price asked for the land coded is
excessive. Mr.. Maginnis thinks that ma
jority of the Committee favor the treaty
and will so report.
A bill is pending before the Committee on
Territories, to elect such officers as provided
by the Legislatures. ..
The Land Commissioners will make an
effort to bring Hp their land scheme this
winter. The western delegates are confident
Of their ability to defeat it.
The President stated in private converse
ton that while he admired the zeal of the
Governor of Utah in Mormon matters, he
thinks he exceeded his authority in giving
the certificate of election to the Gentle
Congressional candidate. ,........
Gov. Lew Wallace, of New Mexico, de-
sres to have the posse comitdtus clause
in the Territories for suppressing disorders
in civil affairs. The Democratic delegates
desire to have this power restricted within
what they consider safe limits. They will
head the General of, at least for this session. |
The General is also keeping q sharp lookout |
for the fate Of the bill making New Mexico a |
state.
The opposition to the proposed changes of |
The mining laws are confident that they will |
be able to maintain the present mining laws,
and defeat any measure looking toward
heir change. ]. M. s.