The leader., 1899-12-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From the Newspaper Correspondence Divis
Of T.. G.. Sigger>

which characterizes every session of
Congress has begun, the most notable
measure thus far adduced being bill
offered the Senate by Senator Petit
grew of South Dakota, the object of
which is to secure control of the rail
roads of the country by the general
government. The legislation of this
character introduced every year forms
an interesting feature of the records
of the country, and illustrates to an ex-
allied degree the extent to which the
POpulistic tendency of certain ele-
ment has advanced. The bill of Sena-
tor Pettigrew provides for the consoli-
dation of the Interstate Commerce De
partment and the Postotfice Depart
ment, aud directs that the consolidated
and augmented department shall pro
coed to acquire all the railways carry
ing the mails, or the post roads as they
are called. The bill then goes on to
rates, the express rates, and last but
not least. the sleeping car rates.
The programme for the seasons en-
/ tertainments at the White House will
| be Identical with the programme of
/ preceding years. Wednesday has been
selected as the day for all diplomatic,
State and army and navy receptions,
/ dinners and all public functions of a
social character, and the season will
commence with the usual reception on
the morning of New Years day. As
there is at present no General of the
/ Army, General Miles commanding as
senior major general. the question had
arisen as to whether Gen. Miles or Ad-
miral Dewey would be given prece
denee in the New Years day reception.
! The problem had been debated at
length on both sides. 1t was argued
+ that Admiral Dewey as Admiral, out
ranked General Miles who is simply a
major general, and in consequence
should be accorded precedence in all
public ceremonies. Against this it
was contended that the Army had al
ways taken precedence over the Navy,
and that as the whole was greater than
any of its parts, the Army should out
rank the Admiral of the Navy, and that
General Miles as the highest official of
the Army should precede the Admiral.
! But it is now pointed out that the
Army was created before the Navy and
hence is entitled to precedence. This
view. it is believed. A admiral Dewey will
accept, and the program as arranged
by Col. Theodore bingham, who has
charge of all White House receptions,
will be carried out without question.
The Congressional Library is to have
a counterpart in magniticence of
structure at least. by the proposed new
Patent Office and Hall of Invention,
for the erection of which Senator Dan
lei has introduced "a bill authorizing
the expenditure of 100000 for the
building and 100000 for the site, which
it is proposed shall be on East Capitol
Street in the immediate vicinity of the
Congressional Library. As the Libra
ry is one of the handsomest buildings
in the world. it is to be expected that
the new Patent Office will also take
rank among the most imposing and
beautiful structures yet erected.
There is an impression in Army cir
Giles that the indictment of the mem
bers of the Atlantic Contracting Com
pany, which is alleged to include Cap
tain Carter, late of the Army and re
Gently sentenced to dismissal from the
Army and to serve five years at the TT
Leavenworth penitentiary, will be used
by the friends and attorneys of Cap
tain Carter to delay the practical exc
cution of the sentence against him
Legal authorities, however, contend
that the Indictment will in no way in
terfere or vitiate the sentence of Cap
tain Carter under the present indict
ment, although it may serve to delay
the punishment of the convicted cap,
tain for time.
The Roberts case suddenly assumed
larger proportions IA day or two ago
when Mr. Roberts positively refused
to appear before the committee of nine
appointed by Speaker Henderson, tC
investigate the charges of polygamy
against him. This unexpected refusal
has necessitated delay and a change of
programme on the part of the commit
tee, which it is now expected, will be
obliged to visit Utah in order to sub
stantiate the allegations which have
been brought against the Mormon
member and whom the majority, it is
said, have decided must not secure a
seat. Additional interest is given the
case from the fact that should the com
mittee go to Utah, an investigation
will also be made of the allegation by
Mr.. Roberts that postmasters and 9th
er federal officers in the State, appoint
ed by President Mckinley, are prac-
ticing polygamy.
A strong blow at trusts was admin
istered by the Supreme Court of the
United States when the decision was
rendered in the action brought by the
Government against the Addystone
Pipe and Steel Company under the
provisions of the Sherman Anti Trust
law The company has plants in
Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio.
1t is composed of several corporations,
heretofore maintaining "a separate cor
porate existence and is designated as
the Pipe Trust. The Government al
legged that the com animation was effect
i've for the purpose of dominating the
market, and is in consequence a