Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-03-27

WASHINGTON. March 25. '9C


The reported serious consideration by
the Senate of proposition to abolish
the "Press Gallery" and to imprison the
newspaper men in retaliation for the re-
fusal by correspondents to reveal the
sources of information upon which they
based dispatches purporting to detail
proceedings and doings and sayings in
secret session of the Senate, is not sur
prising to some of the "old stagers'
hereabouts, who remember that at diff
ferent times in years gone by similar
talk was indulged in and for somewhat
kindred reasons. Probably never but
once or twice did the Senate succeed in
finding out just how and through whom
the Senate secrets leaked out. Nearly
fifty years ago a Senator from Ohio gave
out to newspaper man copy of GER
tain very important secret documents,
and their publication in New York
paper excited the Indignation of the
Senate to such an extent that resolu-
ton to expel the Senator from the body
was introduced, but as the matter was
debated the heat of the Senate gradually
toned down, and the matter finally
dropped.
Another instance was afforded during
the term of Senator Cragin, as Sena-
vi HUM 4NCm LIS tOpy VI
the correspondence relating to the Treaty
of Washington was accidentally lost and
some wicked newspaper man got it and
published the important matters which
the document contained. Therefore, an
investigation was promptly ordered, and
one of the first things accomplished was
to find out by the voluntary statement
of Mr.. Cragin, that he had lost his copy
of the important secret document in
question. His perfect honesty and
frankness disarmed criticism and was
let off with mild though serious admon-
ition not to do so again.
Newspaper men feel bound in honor
never to reveal the sources of their in
formation, and all who know anything
about newspaper mems affairs are well
aware how important it is that they
should keep faith implicitly, under all
circumstances. Therefore, it is not at all
remarkable that in this instance, as in
others that have gone before, the corre-
spondents questioned by the Senate in
vestigating committee should have "de-
clined to answer" even at the risk of
being committed to close custody for
the contempt committed against the
Senate by their refusal to answer the
questions proposed to them"
~
An effort will be made in the Senate
to-day by Senator Plumb to displace the
Blair educational bill with his land grant
forfeiture bill. If the motion to super
cede it on the calendar by the forfeiture
bill is successful, in all probability it
will not again be heard from at this ses-
sion of Congress. If the bill should be
further discussed under the present Or
der, it will not occupy all the time of the
Senate until a vote is reached to the ex-
clusion of other business, as but one or
two speeches are to be made on the
measure, besides the summing up by
Senator Blair, which is limited to one
hour by the resolution of the Senate.
Senators Aldrich and Faulkner, who
have taken great interest in the opposi-
tion to the bill, believe that there is a
good majority of the Senate pledged
against it. They are assured that sever
al Senators who have voted for the
measure in past years will vote against
it at this time, and they are counting on
the votes of the Senators from the new
States to defeat it.
***
Among the diplomats seen on the
streets of Washington Sir Julian Paunce-
loeS 10 piObdDiy thC liloob iotdDlC' liC
is generally accompanied by one of his
attractive daughters. They are evident
ly bent on exploring the city, for one
finds them in the most out-of-the-way
places. Count Won Arco Valley is also
anotable figure. He lis so tall and blonde
that one would turn to look at him any
way, but the dog he holds by a string
and his one glass makes him the oh.
served of observers.
~
The delegates to the Pan-American
Congress attract a great deal of
attention, and they are evidently
delighted with our lovely Capitol
for they wear continual smiles. The
Chinese attract much attention, but
they rarely 60 any distance from the
legislation, which is opposite Dupont
Circle, where they take their exercise.
1t is amusing to see the minister's wife
out for an airing. Her little feet seems
hardly fitted to hold her, and one won
ders if it does not give her pain to walk.
r.