Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

20 come, ut hand and past, during the
asst four weeks, that will not weary
vour readers by more than bare refer.
,uce to the fact. And doubtless your
news columns are full OF it. 1t came,
passed off without hitch. and Viii.
liam Mckinley is president Of the
United States.
The CONGRESS OF MoTHERs-The
American Congress of Mothers, which
met here in three days session, was
gathering from which it is not un-
fair to expect great and lasting results
in the general work of directing the
physical and mental training OF chill
dren. The congress-, OF course, has
neither official status nor power; its
proceedings were deliberative and ad.
visory in scope and character,
but it represented the vital infu.
ences which surround the individual
during the formative period of his
character, and in its discussion of the
means whereby those influences may
be strengthened and extended it pre-
aented an appeal to the sympathy and
interest of the whole people. Tho
congress included in it's mem mbsrship
many of the foremost women in Amer
lea, and this first session was so rich
in its promise of valuable results that
arrangements will probably be made
for regular annual sessions.
A NATIoN's PRAYER-The prayer of
Rev. DR.. Manchester, Major McKin-
ley's pastor, made at the last service
in Canton before the departure for
Washington and while the president
elect sat in his wonted place, voiced
the prayers of the devout and the
hopes oven of the undevout, through
out the whole land. "Bless our Ma
ton, O Lord. Grant that peace
and righteousness may prevail.
We pray Thee that Thy blessing
may be on the President OF the United
States in the closing days of this ad-
ministration, aud that nothing may
be done displeasing to Thee. Let Thy
blessing rest on Thy servant who has
been chosen to be the Chief Execu-
tive of this Nation. Keep him in the
hollow of Thy hand, and protect him
from every danger and every i'll. We
pray Thee to 60 with him as he de-
parts from us on the morrow. Give
him large faith In Thee. May he be
sustained by the prayers of Thy peo-
pie that he may carry out Thy will.
We pray Thee to manifest Thyself to
him and let his acts be ever guided by
Thee" That the president is known
to be man who seeks and receives
guidance from the source OF all wis
dom and perfect justice, is one OF the
mainsprings of the confidence OF the
people in his sincerity, honesty and
high motives.
FREE MAIL DEL1vERY-Rural mail
delivery has finally been provided in
the Sperry bill, but it is not to be free
delivery. 1t authorizes a postmaster
in places where no free delivery exists
to appoint carriers on the petition of
20 or more persons, such carriers to
he paid by the persons receiving the
mail, either by the month, or
at the rate OF one cent per
letter. No extra expense to the pos
tal department is involved. In other
words, the bill accords to such places
the great privilege of having mail de-
livered at houses if the people there
are willing to pay the cost. The rural
population have long enjoyed q
cheaper delivery than this bill pro.
vides. Few outlying communities
full to possess one or two members
who regularly visit the post Office and
bring away the mail for themselves
and their neighbors, distributing the
same in the neighborly way of old, or
placing it where it can easily be
reached.
AN UNwE1coME SPEcTAcLE-The
spectacle of the United States Senate
in session on Sunday for the trans
action OF routine business is not an
agreeable one. To majority Of the
people it is exceedingly distasteful.
In national emergency, for which
that body was not directly responsi-
ble-such as foreign invasion or pesti.
lence-it would be pardonable and
proper. The recent Sunday ses-
sion, however, was without warrant; ;
and for the reason that the
Senate's course during the past month.
which led up to it has been inexcus.
able in its windiness and the wagging
of tongues. The recent exhibition OF
tho highest legislative body in the ma
tiou has been the reverse of dignifed.
Not only has it resulted in nothing of
substantial benefit in our foreign re-
lations, but it has exposed the Senate
our boasted home Of the conservs-
tive in statesmanship-to the ridicule
of those powers which harbor little
love for Uncle Sam. In its domestic
effect it so postponed action ON the
most important measures that a
Sunday session was deemed neces-
sary; aud these measures were
pushed through with such haste in the
closing hours OF the session as to pre-
clude possibility Of the careful con.
sideration which they deserved, and
which the people have a right to ex.
pect. The Senate has dragged its an.
chor in the fierce wind of its own de-
bate, and has been driven perilously
near to the shoals Of absolute and ir-
retrievuble failure.
BLED ENOUGH ALREADY-Vice-Pres-
ident Hobart tells pitiful tales Of the
begging letters he has had since his
election, the demands running all the
why from SO for set of false teeth to
$40, 900 for musical education. A
vice-president has to pay quite dearly
enough for his elevation without being
made mark for beggars.'
No HARD FEELINa-The Washing
ton correspon dents called in body
upon Mr.. Cleveland the other day to
pay their respects and wish him joy in
his retirement They have kept the
president under steady fire for some
IL years, but there is no hard feeling.
Atlanta, Ca, is a hilarious old town,
where conviviality reigns the year
round. In 1896 the police Of that city