Morning journal and courier., 1885-04-01
THE SIEGE oF BATTLE FORD.

THE SIEGE OF BATTLE FORD.
Indians Encamped Around the Agen.
cy And the Citizens Shut Up I'm the
| Rarracks-TroOps With Munittona
of War Hurry1ng to the Front.
OTTAWA. March 31-The news that the
| Indians had taken Battle Ford caused intense
| excitement in this city to-day and the gov
eminent are making active preparations for
hurrying forward troops and munitions of
war. From the elaborate preparation of the
officials it is evident that a protracted In
dian war is believed to be at hand. The
government is endeavoring to secure the
good offices of Archbishop Tache, who has
great influence with the half breeds, in Quiet
ing those people and prevailing on them to
seek peaceful solution of their grievances.
The first detachment of troops are expected
to'reach Winnipeg on Thursday. The Pre-
nier is in receipt of a number of dispatches
bearing on the instruction, but he re-
fuses to make their contents known
until he lays them before the
Cabinet. The government apprehends trou-
BILE between their supporters and the farmers
union which met at Winnipeg to-day. The
Ninth battalion of Quebec has been ordered
to the front and will leave tomorrow. Two
more battalions, one from Halifax and one
from st. Johns, will also be despatched in a
few days.
A Battle Ford despatch states that the sit
uation there is critical. The Indians are en-
camped around the agency and the citizens
have taken shelter in the barracks. which
they believe they can hold until reinforce
ments arrive. Lieutenant Governor Dowd-
ney, who is at Regina, is holding parley by
wire with the Indians in the hope of arriving
at peaceful settlement.
Telegraphic communication with Ednon-
ton is interrupted and it is feared that there
has been an attack made on that place. A
despatch from Winnipeg says that half
breed from Clark's crossing who was made a
prisoner by Riel's followers for refusing to
Join them has arrived there, having succeed
ed in making his escape. He reports that
Riel has from ten to fifteen thousand men
under him all well armed and full of fight.
General Terry, who is in command of the
United States troops in the Northwest, re-
ports that no Indians crossing over the
border into the United States.
ADVICE no A CONGRESSMAN.
Minister Phelps CounseIs a Friend
On His Departure For Washing
ton.
MDDLEBURY, VT, March 31.-When Hen.
John W. Stewart, of Middlebury, had just
taken his seat in the lower house of Congress
as the representative of the First Vermont
district in December, 1888, he received a let
ter of satirical good advice from a distin-
guished Vermont Democrat who had been
long personal and professional friend of the
new Congressman. The letter was passed
i II. a0fM Mr.
arts friends in both houses of Congress and
was received with much favor by the SLAM
dered statesmen. The letter is of public in
terest now from the fact that the distin-
guished Vermont Democrat whe was its
author is no other than Hon. Edward j.
Phelps OF Burlington, who has just been ap-
pointed minister to England. The body of
the letter consists of the following maxims:
1. Always vste in favor of motion to adjourn
and if the period of adjournment is in question,
vote for the longest time and the earliest day
2. Vote steadily against all other propositions
whatever
(aG There is a treaty legislation enough for the
Cb) No honest man wants any more
c) Even unconstitutional bills for the further en-
argement of the negro should form no exception to
this rule.
8. Make no speeches, Nobody attends to congress
sional oratory when delivered. When printed no
body reads it and it is nuisance to the mails
have had more than four million such speeches
sent me and never read one in my life
4. Do not allow yourself to be drawn into asper-
sions upon the memory of Guy Fawkes: He has
in the end do him justice. Before you have been
long in Congress you will perceive that one such
man nowadays with better luck might do the coun-
try more service than hundred presidential can
ddates or Christian statesmen.
5. Do not be much in public in the company
of Republicans Outside of New England they are
not as rule savory Some associations will be
Tolerated though known to exist, when decently
yelled But there is excuse for parading them
in public.
6. Practice rigid economy The experience of
the average Congressman shows that it is possib e
by judicious frugalty to save about 100000 each
session out the salary. Thus the true patriot in
standing by his country makes the country stand
by him.
Z Cultivate assiduously all newspaper GORE
spondents All there is of public life is what the
papers say. And they will say anything that is
worth their while.
g. Do not become a candidate for the pFesiden-
eE The idea that the country is anxious to elect
YOU to that office is chimerica1 Nor has the coun
told
g. In case of doubt take the trick.
TO- Keep your nostrilS open, your mouth Shut,
your head cool and your feet warm. Avoid con.
gressional whiskey Bob Ingersoll. the game OF
noker and the courts of the District of Columbia.
IL Beware of statesmen with great moral ideas.
You will find immoral ideas more honest as well as
more interesting. -
As Cicero observes nil desperandum. Do net de-
spair. You have once been a respected member OF
the Addison county bar.
Resolve to regain that position. Live for the fut-
ure and live down the present.