Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-03-31
CHIPS FROM THE CAPITOL.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE SENTINEL.

For number years past there have been
earnest debates upon the tariff question be-
tween Senator Beck, who is the congress
sional champion Of free trade, and Senator |
Morrill,, who is a vigorous advocate of pro- |
lection. This winter they have entered the |
list again, and when one speaks the other is |
sure TO reply, and thus it has gone on until
they have so tired and exhausted the patience |
of the Senate that they have scarcely any
Senator to listen TO their arguments. The last
effort of Senator Beck was certainly mas
terly argument
Senator Pendleton has presented propo-
sition to amend the Constitution so as to
make Postmasters, Marshals, District Attor-
neys and all other Federal, executive or
ministerial officials whose authority is con-
fined TO State, or a portion of it, elective
officers, who shall be chosen by the people
the same as are members of the most numer-
Gus branch of the Legislature Senator
Saunders, Of Nebraska, has made similar
proposition. In the opinion Of your cor
respondent, both are bad, and if adopted,
would be followed by an era Of corruption
and inefiiciency.
The Senate committee has taken the first
right step toward the adoption of a just and
civilizing Indian policy, in agreeing upon
bill to privide for the allotment of lands in
severalty to Indians on reservations, and TO
extend to the recipients the protection and
requirements of the law. The allotments
are to be made by the President, and the
lands thus bestowed are TO be inalienable
and free from taxation for period of TWEEN
ty-five years. Such policy would tend to
put stop to the shameful land robberies OF
the past. 1t would, with judcious assist
ance by the government, render the Indians
self-supporting by furnishing them with an
incentive TO work, and it would put an end
to the reproach, that the aborigines of this
| land are the only jewellers on its soil desti-
tute of the protection of its laws.
The pioneer band Of Mormans was 143
strong when il entered the Salt Lake Valley
in 1947 They now number over 100000,
and are fast becoming the hardest problem
the national government is compelled TO
solve. Gov. Murray, Of Utah, thinks the bill
of Representative Willis, Of Michigan, now
before Congress may prove an effective and
possibly, only pcaceable unraveling Of the
Norman question. This bill provides for
legislative council to be appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate, that
shall write code Of laws for Utah.
Gen. Butler was before the Senate Dis
trict Committee on Friday last as counsel
| LOT tuc UTtdJ It ais tOl1-
pany, which recently had its charter eX-
tended by the Legislature of Virginia. He
claimed that the proposed addition to the
dam at the Great Falls to increase the sup
ply of water to be brought to this city, will
damage the water power Of the company,
but offers to take $65000 as an equivalent.
The Anti-Chinese bill passed the House
exactly as it came from the Senate. There
is no expectation that the President will
veto the measure, and it may therefore be
taken as one which ends for twenty years,
at least, political agitation which, during
the last ten years, has kept the Pacific States
in turmoil and has effected political con-
ditions throughout the country.
Shipherd, the Peruvian claimant, has been
the guest of the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs several times since my last letter.
His statement that Collector Robertson, of
New York, was the only person who was
connected with the government, to whom
he paid a fee, produced quite sensation.
1t is another lick at Blaine, whose particular
friend Robertson is. 1t has delighted the
Stalwarts, and will not offend Mr.. Conk-
ling. The "Half Breeds" say that their great
leader cannot be hurt by the testimony OF
such witness. Subsequent to the above
mentioned development Mr.. Shipherd has
stated that he paid Hon. H. w. Blair, Sena-
tor from New Hampshire, a fee, but fearing
that the matter might have to be considered
by Congress, Mr.. Blair returned the fee. 1t
is but fair TO say that the testimony of Mr.
Shipherd has lost much of its weight from
the fact that it is unattended by circum-
stantial evidence of any import.
The Committee on Contested Elections in
the case of Bisbee VS.. Finley have agreed
to submit a report in favor of the former
Gen. Finley, the sitting member and Demo
crat, was returned elected by some eleven
hundred majority, and yet this carefully ar
, ranged committee of Speaker Kieier pre-
, sented II report showing that Bsbee was
elected by some eight or nine hundred
The Post sums up an editorial on this re-
port by saying-"that this line of pro
. cedure was long since determined upon
and they might rs well start with the Bisbec
case"
A careful count has been made in the
House and there remain over one hundred
speeches to be made on the tariff.
, The Committee on Agriculture in the
House, has agreed to report bill making
the Agricultural Department one of the CO
ordinate branches of the government, which
} makes the head of the Departments cabinet
officer. 1t will however be divided into two
pdVls, one Ol WHICH Will DC ueSiSn us lnt
Commercial Department.
Your correspondent called again day OF
two since at the rooms of the War Claims
Committee and was informed by several OF
the members of the Committee that there
would be no favorable report upon wal
claims, save those which have been acted
, upon by the old Claims Commission, or those
referred to the Secretary of the Treasury
Gen. Chapman said, II have given up al
hope-l cant never get favorable repor
upon claims which have heretofore beer
acted upon.
, There is much curiosity to know what
Senator Blaine will have to say in relation
to the Shipherd Developments
NOTES AND PERSONALS
Entering one of the galleries of the Senate
ON Friday last, your correspondent iOunC
! Senator A. p. German presiding with marked
ease and ability over the deliberations o
f that body with every eye riveted upon him
By indomitable energy, talents properly gov
erned and directed, he was presiding ovel
I the body of which but few years ago h,
5 was an humble page. What "A telling, Gle
waiting and invigorating example for every
young man who aspires to prominence
Young in years, with character unscorch
g ed and a political horizon without cloud
who can tell what further and more dis
!, tingushed honors few years more may
|, lay as just tribute to the integrity anc
ability OF the distinguished Senator.
A Western member of Congress who