Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-22
Washington Letter.
tFrom Our Regular Correspondent. !.


corruption which has disgusted so many
after some OF our national elections has
been conspicuously absent this time.
1t is also almost generally sgreed that
it was the great prosperity OF the coun-
try that brought about the result rather
than blind devotion to any political
party. That belief is based upon the
general idea that the average man who
is doing well is averse to taking the
chances involved in making change,
even when he believes that the change
nigh. be beneficial. The rejoicing OF
the dominant party has also been
remarkably tree from partisan rahcor,
which has had good effect upon the
spirits OF the defeated and added to the
all around pleasantness.
Postmaster General Smith, who ac-
compsnied delegation OF Philadelphians
to the White House, succeeded in get
tinga conditional acceptance from the
president Of an invitation to attend the
Founders day banquet of the Union
League club, Of Philadelphia, to be
given on the twenty-fourth inst.
Senator Mason, who, by the way, is
again regular and welcome visitor at
the White House, has announced his
intention TO champion at the coming
session OF Congress what he regards as
the most important internal improve
ment contemplated in the middle west
legislation providing ior a survey to
enlarge to regular ship canal and
extend the present Chicago drainage
canal to connect the great lakes and the
ST. Lawrence and the Mississippi rivera
aud the Gulf of Mexico. He says the
undertaking is OF the greatest com.
mercial importance to practically the
entire portion of the United States
between tho Allegheny and the Rocky
Mountains. He will endeavor to get
the president to help the project along
by giving 1t good word in his annual
message 10 congress, and is confident OF
success. II hard work and perseverance
viii win Senator Mason will, as he is
full OF both.
Judging from what is being printed on
the subject, it might be supposed thai
all the campaign liars had been assigned
to the job OF writing up the proposed
magnifcence and grandeur Of the
second Inauguration OF President Nc
Kinley. In order TO make their stories
picturesque and startling, not few OF
these writers have entirely dispensed
with that very useful article known as
common sense The mere ceremony oil
swearing in the chosen ruler OF more
than 10000 900 will of itself, be impos
ing and magnificent, and there can be
no doubt that it will occur amidst
proper surroundings But all the talk
about surrounding it with all the gorg-
eousness and costlncss OF the greatest
royal, pageant Europe has ever seem
the London jubilee procession, is poppy
cock. and can only find believers among
those who do not know where the
money comes from to pay the expenses
OF inaugurating president. Not one
cent Of it comes out Of public money.
The residents of Washington always
subscribe in advance, the amount the
committee estimates will be needed, so
that the committee will not be ham
pered in its work by lack OF ready
money. The receipts from the sale Of
tickets 10 the inaugural ball, privileges
to the street stands, ETC., usually aggre-
gate an amount large enough 10 pay all
expenses and the money advanced to
the committee is returned TO the sub
scribers, but it is not Always SO. and
the committee does not bind itself to
return it. 1t must he evident that the
amount raised in this way will not be
large enongh 10 provide much royal
gorgeousness.
Representative Payne, Of New York,
chairman of the house ways and means
inst. to consider the question OF
reduction of internal revenue taxes.
does not pretend TO say what the COM
mittee will do, but 1t is very evident
from his guarded talk that he isn't
expecting a bill that will make sweep
ing reductions. There is good ground
for the belief that the bill which will
be reported TO the house will not make
reductions OF more than 500, 900, 900 a
year, and even that much would be
doubtful ii the president had not 30
strongly committed himself in favor OF
reducing these taxes. The prevailing
idea in official and congressional circles
seems to be that uncertainty as to the
immediate future in China and in the
Philippines, make il advisable for this
government to have a staff surplus of
cash on hand TO meet any possible
emergency.
II is officially denied that Secretary
Roots visit 10 Cuba has anything 10 do
with the Cuban constitutional conyen-
ton, now sitting in Havana, although
it is official and will be utilized in
visiting sections Of the island not
reached by him when he was over
there some months ago. Many believe
that Secretary Root has gone 10 Cuba
as the personal representative Of the
president, and that his report Of exist.
ing conditions will be an important
factor IN the future attitude Of this
government toward the island. Inss
much as the work Of the Cuban consti-
tutional convention will, II completed
ia time, be at once submitted 10 con.
gress, II is not thought that the presi
dents annual message TO congress will
contain any important Cuban RECON-