The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-10-31
Washington Letter.
washington, october %, 1901.

Alice hOOS0V6lC mas come 10 LII GHn'
social role, and her advent Is something
OF a sensation with the young people OF
the capital elite. She is not strikingly
handsome girl, but Is sensible, gracious
and full of bright progressive ideas.
Roosevelt independence is so clearly a
part of her makeup and methods that 1t
may be not altogether fiction that. she
has said If Washington social fashions do
not please her she will ''just set up some
new ones that will" ..
The fine trio of Kentucky horses order
ed for the use of President Roosevelt
failed to measure up to the critical In
spection of that gentleman, for he is some
thing of an expert In judging horse flesh.
He found one of them weak In limb, and
that another, belonging to the pair that
his wife was to use, was unsafe for women
and children. The horses we're promptly
returned to the disappointed dealer, and
now the president has sent commission
er down into Virginia to find suitable
animals. The White House children are
rejoicing over thoroughbred shaggy
Shetland pony, which Is a beauty, and
dog cart that is ''just dream on Wheels"
as young Kermit dubs 1t.
By the way, the president has requested
the officials who prepare documents for
signature to date them simply from the
"White House." He has democratic
preference for that name over the less
distinctive title 'executive mansion" Mr..
Roosevelt has strain Of royal blood In
his veins, but it does not run In cere-
monial pomp or castellated nomenclature.
A distinguished visitor at the White
House on Saturday was Cardinal Gibbons
of Baltimore. This learned prince, who
Is the head of the Roman Catholic church
in the United States, called to pay bis re-
spects to the new president, and, perhaps,
to learn something In general terms of
the attitude of the executive on pending
Catholic church problems in the Philip
pine Islands. The interview was brief,
but cordial, and the cardinal evidently
obtained assurance that the government
would deal with issues In the islands in
which his church is interested in a spirit
of exact impartiality and justice.
The hearing of testimony in the Schley
inquiry is nearing a close. Admiral
Schley Is upon the stand, and has given,
so far, a clean-cut circumstantial account
of all his actions in the campaign on
Cienfuegos and Santiago. The court
room is packed with people eager to hear
him tell his story. There Is an intense
interest in the progress and outcome of
the case from one end of the country to
the other. Schley holds the popular end
of the contest so far as the press and pub
lie are concerned. But whichever way
the Dewey court may find there will be
disappointment In wide circles, and, per-
haps, a renewal of recriminations that
may call for either executive or congress
sional action to put an end to the miser-
able personal feuds in the navy.
Admiral Dewey has been made to feel
1t due to his self-respect to resign the
presidency of the swell Metropolitan club
to which many army and navy officials
belong. The open criticisms uttered
there against his rulings in the pending
hearing have annoyed him exceedingly,
and he has made his protest against such
injustice by resigning the official headship
of the organization. In this action he
has manifested a spirited resentment that
has won general praise from the press of
his fairness throughout the entire course
of the hearing.
The treasury Is ''overflowing with filthy
lucre." The daily receipts show a sur
plus of 5000, 900 day over all expenses,
which means that Uucle Sam is taxing
his people about $50, 900, 900 a year more
than Is necessary. On the first of No
vember he will send out to the bond hold
ers 80, ,76O checks to pay interest due on
that date. Likewise large platoon OF
congressman are coming up in December
with bills for appropriations or reductions
that will make the great surplus look like
thirty cents in Spanish silver. Meanwhile,
the treasury officials are preparing to re-
vamp, and apply General Fred Grants ep'-
gram that ''a surplus is easier to handle
than deficit.''
The temperance people -anti-ealoonists
and W. G. T. U's-have held meetings
covering the whole week. They talked
like the zealots that they are, and proph-
esied the success of their cause In a day
not dim and distant, with superb enthusi.
asm. The reports made profert of much
progress In abating saloons in all parts OF
the country, and represented that anti.
saloon sentiment and legislation have
both revived notably in the past year.
Washington city has been held down to
about 500 saloons, or one to every hundred
OF the adult male population. Therefore,
gentlemen In the several states who are
figuring on breaking into congress next
year, need not quit the tract for fear they
will find this city Sahara for thirsty
statesmen.
A notable event of the week has been
the meeting of the general council OF
Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-third
and last degree. The convention con.
tanned the most distinguished masons oi
the union. A new s'grand commander
was chosen In the person Of Congressman
James D. Richardson, of Tenn, who
thereby becomes the most exalted masor
In the world, ranking even King Edward
of England. His election to this high
place in the masonic world is deserved
recognition of his great ability and de-
votion as mason. The convention also