The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-01-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
A Step Toward the Metric system-To
Change Presidential Term-Chair-
man OF Inaugural Committee.
Especial correspondence

The action OF the mousse committee
on coinage weights and measures in
considering Mr.. Shafroth's bill to adopt
the metric system as the standard of
weights and measures in the United
States is the first step taken by this
government TO join other nations In
adopting this system as the worldwide
standard. For some time there has
been an international movement look
ing to the adoption Of the metric sys-
tenn by all the nations, but SO far the
United States, Russia and Great Brit
ain have not taken any step in regard
TO the matter Nearly year ago Mr..
Shafroth introduced bill, which was
referred to the committee on coinage,
weights and measures, providing that
the metric system should 60 into effect
after Jan. 1, 1901. This date has been
changed to Jan. 1, 1903, as that is the
time now fixed by ali international
agreement for the Inauguration OF the
system.
The committee has decided to report
fayorably the bill, which provides that
after Jan. l. 1908, ali the departments
Of the government of the United
States In transaction of all business re-
quiring the use of weights and meas
urements except In completing the sur
vey Of public lands shall employ and
use only those of the metric system,
which shall be the legal standard of
weight and measurement of the Unit
ed States. At present the use Of the
metric system is optional.
To Change Presidential Term.
The judiciary committee of the house
has a very curious and interesting bill
before It. 1t is a proposition to amend
the constitution introduced by Repre-
sentative Sibley of Pennsylvania. 1t
proposes that the president of the Unit
ed States shall be elected for term Of
six years instead of four and that he
shall be ineligible for reelection for a
second term. The vice president. how
ever. is to be elected and hold Office for
seven years, thus bringing the election
for that officer In a different year from
that in which the president is elected.
Mr.. Sibley has also undertaken to an
swer the question. what shall be done
with our ex-presidentsY He provides
by his constitutional amendment that a
president whose term OF office has eX-
pIred shall be a senator of the United
States at large. eX otficio, during good
behavior. In that capacity he shall not
exercise the voting power and shall re-
ceive for his services such cOmpensa-
ton as the congress shall by suitable
legislation determine. The proposition
does not provoke serious comment IN
the judiciary committee.
Chairman of Inaugural Committee.
Senator Hanna, chairman of the Re
publican national committee, offered TO
John Joy Edison Of this city the chair
manship Of the inaugural committee.
Mr.. Edison accepted the place and viii
take charge of the Inauguration cere-
monies.
John Toy Edison has lived in Wash
ington ever since the war of the rebel
lion, and in that period he has grown
from q clerk In the treasury depart
ment to be president Of one Of the
largest financial institutions In the Dis
trict. Mr.. Edison enlisted In a New
York regiment in the war and served
faithfully until discharged by reason
Of expiration Of service. He then came
to this city and was appointed to a
clerkship in the treasury department,
where he remained for several years,
In which time he studied law and was
graduated from the Columbian unlver-
sity law school
For Immigration Reforms.
The annual report Of the commission
err general of immigration recommends
that all allen immigrants on arrival be
required to state If it Is their purpose
ultimately to become citizens Of the
United States and that answers In the
affirmative should be entered Of record
and be treated as declaration Of In
tentlon." 1t is the opinion Of the COM
missioner general that this would give
some authenticity to the declaration
and relieve 1t Of the haphazard charac-
ter which makes naturalization such
farce when politics play any part In 1t.