Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-06-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Unique Plan OF Teaching-A Big Load
For the Millionaire-A Question
OF Pocketbook
[specIal correapondence.l

Public school officials of Washington
have adopted a unique plan Of teaching
their scholars history and familiarizing
them with the workings of the govern
ment AS well as other branches of
study. The scheme is for the teacher Of
each school to take her scholars on
jaunt to the capitol or to the suburbs
to study geology, history and any 9TH
er branch of study which may be cho-
SEN Since the opening of the spring
weather hundreds of children, accom-.
panied by their teachers, flock to the
capitol TO listen TO the statesmen debate
important questions. Hardly day pass
es but 500 or 600 children crowd the
galleries TO listen TO the debates and
roam around statuary hall and study
the marble figures of Clay, Lincoln,
Calhoun Webster and Grant and learn
something of the characteristics of each
man Then they overrun the rotunda
and feast their eyes upon the huge
paintings which depict the historical
epochs of this country. From here a
visit is made to the historic senate
chamber TO watch and listen TO the
grave, deliberate senate. Before leaving
the building they never fail TO spend
considerable time before the picture Of
Perrys battle ON Lake Erie and gather
inspiration from the magnificent cour-
age displayed by that gallant sailor.
One day last week 200 girls, clad in
white dresses, invaded the capitol, and
as the houseayyas not in session took
possession of the hall, occupied the
speakers chair and did about as they
pleased. They presented pretty sight,
and the day will live long III their mem
cries
Big Load For the Millionaire.
One of the newly appointed inspector
generals, young millionaire of whom
every one has heard, paid visit TO the
war department the other day in order
to take his first lesson in how to be an
inspector general. He went to grim
old veteran, staff officer who had ma
tured and grown old in the service, and
spoke to him III this fashion:
Il want to ask You few questions
about what my duties will be. What
ought / to know as an inspector gener-
al? What does an inspector have to do?"
The veteran drew long breath and
looked hard at his smiling visitor.
"Well, now, really" he said, edo
you know | am afraid | shall not have
the time just now to tell you about
what an inspector general ought to
know. There are only three hours be-
fore the department closes. In fact, |
believe in America an inspector general
is supposed to know everything about
everything in connection with the army.
In Europe they think that SO vast a
knowledge is almost too much to expect
of one individual, and so in the armies
there they appoint inspector generals
for each of the different branches of
the army Here we do not recognize
any such limitations, and if you come
around when | have little more time
l will tell you everything the ar
tillery, the cavalry, the infantry, the
engineer corps and all the other little
things it is necessary TO know i'll order
to be an inspector general. y
Fighting Annexation of Hawaii.
The opponents of Hawaiian annexa-
ton and of the American control of the
Philippines have begun "a new plan of
campaign. Pamphlets are being circu-
lated at the capitol which bear no indi-
cation as to authorship, but which are
an argument against the acquisition of
foreign territory. The significant nature
of the pamphlet is shown in the fact
that it is throughout a eulogy of Rus
STA. England is charged with being
mercenary and selfish in seeking the al
lance of the United States at seeks
to array us, says the pamphlet,
against better, truer and stronger
friend-Russia. 1t is not known
whether this document emanates from
any one of the legations in Washington,
but its appearance has created consider
able comment.
The Charming Pocketbook.
The members Of some of the embas-
sizes and legations here do not attempt
to conceal their sympathy with Spain
even when they are in the presence Of
! loyal Americans. At fashionable din
ner last week the French ambassador,
| the Austrian minister and several of
the attaches Of the German embassy
were present, and an American woman
asked the company why the three ma
tions who were represented there We're
80 unjust TO this country.
Madame, " said one of the foreign
ers, lit is not that we do not like your
country and its charming people, but
with us You see it is "A case of the charm
ing pocketbook. "
Only One Mr. Smith.
The number of Smiths connected with
the postofiice department at Washington
is unknown, but it is Of course very
| large Postmaster General Smith can
not help knowing this, and yet there is
"A report going about that when some
one called up the department 10y tele-
phone the other day with an inquiry for
Mr.. Smith and the operator asked which
particular Smith was wanted she was
discharged by the postmaster general.
This was pretty forcible intimation
from headquarters that only one Mr.
Smith is supposed To be connected with
| the government at present.