The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-04-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Reports That Are Too HifalutIn.
American Republics 10 Confer.
Wants Pay For His Scalp.
Especial correspondence.l

Complaints reach Washington from
all over the country that the publlca-
lions issued by the various depart
ments are too technical to be Of use to
those for whose education and guild
ance they are intended. This Is doubt
less true I'm the main, since the men
who are employed in the scientific bu-
reaus Of the government are scholars
Of high attalnments, enthusiasts In
their several branches, 10 whom scien-
tihc terms I'm their specialties are a.
A b C's 10 people generally, and who,
absorbed in their work. lose sight OF
the fact that they are required to make
their knowledge Of unitarian value to
the people of all classes who are inter
ested in their line of research and
study.
"Why," said Maine lumberman, an
alumnus of BOwdoin and the law de-
partment of Stamford, complaining Of
the limitations Of the pamphlets sent
out by the government to inform and
instruct the growers and hewers Of
timber, "while the government publica-
tions that come to me are extremely
interesting, they are 50 erudite that
find 1t next to impossible quite to I'M
derstand them at the first reading.
What the poor lumbcrmen up IN the
woods, who have hardly mastered the
three RS, do with the scientific terms
| cannot imagine II seems to me the
academic manner Of treating the sub
ject really defeats the object for which
the papers and essays are issued, and
would advocate that every scientific
term in them be replaced by simple
language and that all papers not espe-
clally intended for advanced students
and universities should be written so
that an intelligent lad Of II could I'M
derstand them"
American Republics to Confer.
1t Is proposed to hold q conference OF
American republics at the City Of Mex
lco between May and October, 1901,
similar to those held at Panama in
1926. Mt Montevideo in 1887 and at
Washington I'm 1s99-9O. This was rec
commended by President Mckinley In
his message to congress last December,
and more than n majority Of the other
nations have already signified their as
sent. Informal expressions of APPROX
al have also been received from nearly
all the remaining countries, so that the
plan has progressed far enough to JUS
tlfy confidence I'm Its success.
The promptness and cordiality with
which the other governments have re-
spOnded to the suggestion have been
gratifying to the president and Secre-
tary Hay and 10 Mr.. Rockhill, director
Of the bureau Of American republics,
who has been intrusted with the de-
tails. President DiaZ in communicate
ing his assent to the plan rendered the
hospitality Of his country and asked
that the United States government is
sue invitations for an aSSemblage OF
delegates in the City Of Mexico some
time during the summer Of 1901. This
suggestion has met the approval Of the
diplomatic representatives Of all the
American republics now In this city.
Wants Pay For His Scalp.
81 have introduced n hair splitting
bill In the interest of one Of my con-
stltuents, and it calls for an approprla-
ton by the government Of $4,000.
This bill. which | regard as n very re-
markable one In some respects, directs
the secretary of the treasury to pay
this amount to Allen w. Edwards Of
Tecumseh, Johnson county, Neb., as
full compensation for services and loss
and destruction of property and for
personal injuries
1.-THE personal injuries" added the
speaker, Representative Burkett OF
Lincoln, Neb., consists of the loss Of
Mr.. Edwards scalp. Almost 40 years
ago Mr.. Edwards was driving a gov
eminent team loaded with supplies
from Fort Leavenworth, Kan, to Fort
Union, n. NJ, when n band Of Kiowa
Indians fell upon him. He defended
the governments property valiantly,
but the Indians were too numerous.
They not only captured the team and
the supplies, but they overpowered the
teamster and went away over the
prairie with his scalp dangling at the
belt Of one Of the braves. He has
lived, however, for nearly 40 years to
tell the story"
Senator HOar's Man Friday.
Very faithful to the interests of Sem
ator Hoar is Doherty, the messenger Of
the judiciary committee.
SO faithful indeed that correspond
ent, writing about him the other day,
called him Hoar's Fidus Achates.
"And that" said Senator Hoar to
Doherty, "means you are a Mug
wump."
Doherty's face grew long, and his
anger rose. To be called a Mugwump
was the height of insult. Taking the
paper containing the Objectionable
,brooa nohortv want off IN hoVp N