Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-03-08
PROGRESS OF SHIP BILL
Now Before the Senate as a
Party Measure.
WILL BE PRESSED THIS SESSION.
Politics In the District of Columbia.
Talk About New Presidential
Mansion Seer tnry Longs Joke.
The Clark Case

The Clark Case
WAsn1YGroN, March 2.-TSpecial J.
Once in four years the citizens of the
District Of Columbia have an oppor-
tunity to vote. The privilege extends
only to the election OF delegates to
convention. which. in turn. elects dele
gates to the national conventions. This
is not serious duty, but nearly every
voter claiming a residence here takes
advantage Of the opportunity and casts
this lone vote quadrcnnially. The Re
publlcans send two and the Democrats
six delegates to the national conven
tons. There are an equal number of
alternates. 1t is observed that these
contests are generally attended with
all the interest and excitement that
usually occur in primaries, where the
citizens subsequently vote at elections
for officers The contests for leader
ship, for delegates and for member
ship Of the national committees are
more intense than in many of the
states. The parties in the District of
Columbia also declare for home rule
to the extent Of having the offices Civ
en- to men who live here rather than
to men from the states. This home
rule plank usually gets into the plat
form, but it is not always carried out,
and oftentirnes places are given to
men who have been prominent in the
parties in faroff states. The struggle
to he national delegates and the actiy-
ity in local politics have behind them,
besides the natural desire of men to
participate in affairs. the hope that such
activity and prominence may possibly
result in recognition when the new
administration comes into power.
The shipping Bill.
This bill is now before the senate
as a party measure, being reported
from the committee on commerce by a
party vote. There were ten Republican
votes for it besides Jones of Nevada,
, who votes with his old party on most
questions, though opposing it upon the
: financial question, Five Democrats
voted against the bill in committee,
also Turner, who is fusonist, but
acts with the Democrats on almost ev-
cry issue. In bringing the bill out of
committee with a solid Republican vote
there is an indication that 1t is to be
pressed during this session of congress,
and. in fact, its friends say that they
intend to put 1t through. In the house
committee there is still a division Of
sentiment among the Republicans, but
it is said that before the bill gets over
from the senate an agreement on some
compromise measure will be reached.
New White House Talk.
Senator Depew has revived the talk
about the necessity for a new White
House or at least new home for the
president of the United States. when
came to Washington first" said Sen
ator Depew, when Lincoln was presi
dent. the present structure was large
enough. was secretary of state OF
New York, and my visits were official
having much business to transact con
corning the soldiers of the state. Be
ing often in the White House, | had al
opportunity to observe, and my recol
lections of the conditions then and now
show what a great change has taken
place The business of the executive
has increased very largely, and the Of
flee room now encroaches upon the pr
vate or family rooms of the executive
mansion. The president is obliged to
have his working room and library In
what were formerly bedrooms, and hC
gives his state dinners in hall" Sen
ator Depew's observations coincide
with those Of every other person who
ho hue hn to ot
tends the social functions which due
!, regard for precedents and dignity OF
the position require Depew may for
mulate a plan for a new presidential
y mansion, leaving the present White
House for business office.
Secretary LonE's Humor.
The secretary of the navy perpe
> tratcd a little joke on the senate The
other day. A resolution was passed
calling for the report of Paymastel
W. B. Wilcox upon an expedition made
T by him through the island of Luzon
The secretary had clipped from Thu
Congressional Record a copy Of thu
:. report and sent it to the senate draw
ing attention to the fact that the reso
luton calling for the report was passed
Feb. p. and the clipping which he in
closed was printed in full in The Rec
ord Of Feb. 8. Those who know Secre
tary Long can understand how griml,
he smiled when he sent that cutting
back to the senate.
Nearing the End.
The interesting Clark case from Mon
tana Is nearing the end, but the inter
z est is unabating Crowds still thronl
the committee room, hoping something
sensational may occur. While Senate
Clark is still an object of great inter
est, there is yet greater curiosity t.
see the other famous mining million
aire of Montana. Marcus DAILY. and hi
appearance about the committee room
caused craning of necks.
IL knew it would come" said Clar
ence johnson, the efficient clerk of tn
committee, coming out of the commit
tee room. IL have been expecting
every day since the ease began" Hi
earnest manner and serious counte
nance caught a squad of anxious news
paper men, who thought some scnsa
ton had been developed. what
itT' they asked eagerly. Johnson re
piled. "Some one in that crowd has ha
hia hat Stolan-onp of the yisitors-au