The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-01-11

Mr. Converse comes back from Ohio with
the declaration that the old duty on wool
must be restored That he says, is the
great question in his state, and the party
cannot overlook it. Other leading demo
/ Gratis think the duty on wool should re-
main as at present. There are indications
of trouble among the southern members,
with regard to sugar. Mr.. Morrison
favored the reduction made last season
lie is said to be disposed to cut the duties
still further. There is division in the
ranks on other questions and the out
look is unfavorable for that harmonious
action which was predicted by the leaders
three weeks ago
The Huntington letters recently pub
lished have caused much talk and not a
little uneasiness in Washington, and have
gwen new interest to the presence of their
author here. He usually stops at Will
lard's, where he has often entertained
congressional friends, but this winter he
has taken quarters at Wornley's, where
he can be more retired and attract less
attention. 1t is pretty we'll understood
white whiskered lieutenant, Sheriff., com
prehends the situation pretty well and has
told Mr.. Huntington that he can hope for
little comfort from Congress al the present
time. To delay action, through Mr.. Cobb's
comnittee. upon land grant matters until
the excitement has blown over Is all they
are going to fight for this winter. The
inside history of this fight between the
Texas Pacific and Central Pacific compa-
panies is not generally understood
Tom" Scott, with his us ual genius. had
seen how to strike across the southern
states 20 Texas, and thence by short line
below the range of snow blockades to the
Pacific ocean to San Diego The Central
Pacific monopolists felt their danger,
and acquiring a fran chise through Ari
zona, ran out with all possible speed
what they called Southern Pacific road,
from San Francisco to meet and head off
the Texas Prcifc. They were using the
resources gained by their previous monop-
oily. and to compete with them on any
thing like equal terms it was necessary to
invoke the aid of congress by guarantee
OF interest on bonds. Here was where |
Huntington had the inside track, for il |
put his lobbies and newspapers in the |
attitude of virtually fighting against sub
sides and in favor of an "unsubsidized"
road, the Southern Pacific, which really |
enjoyed the benefits of previous subsidies |
to the Central So great is my confidence !
in Scott's ability. that | think he would |
have succeeded if his health had not !
broken down, and death already laid its
finger upon his energies The Texas
Pacific never got beyond the state line,
and Huntington has carried out his plans |
until, somewhat like the traditional Amer. |
lean eagle, he dips one hand in the Pacific |
at Frisco and the other at the Chesapeake |
at Newport News.
A good deal has been written about the !
New Years reception at the White House
and the various social as well as political |
phases presented on that occasion, in
chding the winning ways of the wives of
candidates who were there,
but nobody has attempted to reflect the
humorS of Inc occasion. The Chinese en-
bassg, which usually flutters, like swarm
of butterflies in gorgeous silks and satins,
came to the diplomatic reception in robes
OF the suberCst and dullest hue, and wore
fur wrappinGs into the executive presence
1t was thought they had intentionally
come without wedding garments to testify
their disgust for the anti Chinese law, |
and Il was proposed to fire them into the
outer darkness OF the CONSERVATORY, ~ha, |
it was discovered that this topsy turvy
nation wears gala clothes on ordinary
occasions and goes into mourning for a
festival, Then the bouncers in waiting
were preparing to get in their work on
Captain De La Cherc, of the French
legation, who stalked in under helmet
with long black plume, which he never
offered to remove, when they were told
that this was part of his uniform which
etiquette required him to wear throughout
the ceremony. The funniest feature,
however is always the universal turn out
In uniform by army and navy officers,
some of whom do not get into theirs save
on this one day of the year, unless a
funeral occurs in their branch of the ser
vice. A short, fat officer in tight fitting ,
new suit, heavily covered with buttons
and gold lace, girt with shiny sword and
holding Sarge umbrella over his head. |
standing in pouring rain and shouting
energetically for his carriage, is q moving
'pectacle. No one was cruel enough to
quote the duke of Wellingtons dictum
The commanding officer does not approve
If the use of umbrellas under FIRE =" and !
% the uniforms escaped much of the rain. q
TO find ones self in an apartment with
ome of these heroes was to be almost
moihered with the smell of camnhor
rom their clothing. relieved later in the
lay by the aroma of well selected brands I
# old rye and B. & s. from their breath. I
Dom PEDRO &