Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-04-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
C~ourtesfes by Customs Oficers-WalE-
ing On Water-Wants Native
Language Taught.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
Secretary Gage has issued an order to
customs officers that will oblige them
to forego some of the courtesies here
tofore extended to American travellers
and will annoy those persons who have
enjoyed the courtesies from year to
year On their departure for or return
from Europe.
A practice has existed for many
years under which the treasury has oc-
~casionally issued instructions to col
~lectors TO extend special courtesies to
persons named upon their arrival from
foreign ports upon reasons set forth in
applications made directly to the de-
partment. This privilege was original
ly granted only to principal members
Of the diplomatic corps and other high
Officials of foreign nations and to inva-
lids and other persons entitled under
some peculiar conditions to considera-
ton.
The demands for such courtesies has
constantly grown in extent, and the
practice has afforded j%ustifiable
grounds for protest against its discrim-
ination between private citizens. The
department. has also received informa-
ton which shows that the safety of the
revenue requires a return to the origi-
nal purposes of the usage.
The chief officers of customs are in
structed that the extension of special
courtesies to arriving passengers will
hereafter be limited to foreign embas-
sailors, ministers, charges d'affaires,
| secretaries of legation n high COM
| missioners and to similar representa-
tives Of this government abroad re-
turning from their missions, all the
above officers being entitled by interna-
tional usage to the free entry of the
] baggage and effects of themselves, their
families and suits without eXamina-
ton.
Walking ON Water.
In the debate upon the revenue cut
ter bill the house near the close of the
session got pretty badly tangled up be-
| tween internal revenue and customs
revenue and army officers, naval Off
GERS and officers of the revenue marine.
Colonel Hepburn tried to straighten
things out. by suggesting in a humor-
GUS, blunt way that these officers were
not likely to come into conjunction
4 Will tdCu Olu6I. Lie IIOOpS Operate
| upon the land" he said, with the air
of n imparting solemn information,
while naval officers maneuver their
| ships upon the sea. There can be no
| possible conflict between them unless
some way is devised for soldiers to
walk upon the water or for ships to
sail upon the land"
"Speuking of walking upon the wa
ter" interrupted Talbert of South Car
Dina, "do you remember a namesake
of yours, one Peter, who in olden times
walked upon the water?"
"My recollection is" answered Hep
burn, shat he did not make much
~headway.'
1.-THE difficulty in that case" added
Ta1bert, twas a want Of faith. If
these gentlemen of the revenue marine
had sufficient faith, they might walk
upon the water"
Wants Native Language Taught.
Delegate Wilcox of Hawaii is an
earnest advocate of the teaching of
the Kanakan language in the schools
of that territory, not as an exclusive
language necessarily, but the same as
French, German, Latin and Greek are
NboSAS A In LIZ VI LIN
States. sThey are slowly crushing out
the native language in the schools and
colleges of the island" HI declared.
"The case Of the College Of Lahaina-
luna, on the island of Maui, is a re-
cent notable instance. That college
has graduated many Of our most not
/ ed HaWaiianS.
"But there is another phase Of the
subject. The history and literature of
the Hawaiian people are written almost
entirely on manuscript and are of course
in the Hawaiian tongue. Students of
history, for example, who wish to learn
the native language to explore this ex-
tensive field Of research are shut out
from such an opportunity. Other an
guages are taught in the schools Of this
country. It seems to me entirely rea-
sonable that schools and colleges in
Hawaii should be allowed to teach the
| Hawaiian language"
Senator Hoar's Joke.
Senator Hoar has discovered that it
does not pay to De funny unless you
label the joke.
While the senate vas discussing a
railroad bill having for its purpose the
protection of railroad employees from
accident Senator Hoar suggested that
the best plan would be to make the
directors Of each road ride upon the
cowcatcher. 'Then," remarked Mr..
Hoar, nobody would get hurt"
Senator E1kins, who is several times
! a railroad director, took the suggestion
| quite seriously and expressed his sur
| prise tina such a proposition should be
| submitted to the senate. "Oh, dear"
replied Mr.. Hoar; quite taken back at
the lack Of appreciation of his humor,
81 meant that for a jest. And it
wasn't original with me either. Rich
ard II. Dana many Years ago suggest
| ed that directors ride upon the Gov