The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-10-31
At Washington.

M " aShtbeS tOh'
Secretary Wilson has announced that
experts of the agricultural department
will hunt all over the United States and
its new possessions for conditions favor
able to the cultivation of the filler
tobacco such as is now raised in Cuba.
Also that if possible all the filler tobacco
used in this country eventually may be
raised within the boundaries of the
United States now paying $S,000,0 900 for
wrapper tobacco. He has succeeded
in finding in this conditions under which
all the wrapper tobacco we need can be
raised here and experts of the de-
partment of agriculture for the first time
are seeking soils adapted to the cultiva-
ton of the finer filler produce.
1t has TRANSFERRED that measures were
taken to guard President Roosevelt 8
person carefully on his late visit to N ew
Haven at the Yale bicentennial 1t is
not to be supposed that the President
himself solicited such safeguards; the
probability is, rather, that he was FESTIVE
under them if they came to his atten-
ton; but that they were INDICATED as
appropriate, no one will question after
the late experience of the nation ! he
abolition of handshaking at the recep-
ton held there was another change that
will strike the public generally as judi
cious.
President Roosevelt will write all of
his message. Heretofore the custom has
been for the secretaries to write the par
agraphs concerning their departments.
| 1t will probably conduce to brevity for
one man to do all the writing, and brew
! ity in Presidential messages is very
much to be desired.
Gen. Ainsworth says that the fiscal
year has witnessed the practical compile
ton for work SO many years in progress
of the publication of the official records
of the union and confederates during the
civil war They make a total of 1875, 730
pages Df text.
| The six months within which claims
might be filed with the Spanish Claims
| commission have expired. By special
| dispensation of the rule others may still
be admitted for another period of the
same length. The claims already sub
mitted number 495, and their amount
reaches $50 100000. OF these the claims
on account of the Maine disaster foot up
81, 400 600.
Sunday was the AID anniversary of the
! birth of President Roosevelt Occurring
! on Sunday there was no formal celebra-
ton, and the day was spent very quietly.
Mr. Nichols, a friend from Baltimore,
was at the White House portion of the
day, and later Commander Cowles
was guest at dinner. The President
attended religious services at Grace Re
formed Church as usual.
Gen. Miles in his annual report takes
| OF hn
He says, speaking of the new law: at is
! believed that no injury has resulted, and
that the law has in the main been bene
fetal. The army is composed principal
| ly of young men who have not formed
the habit of using liquor, and although
the ma jority of the enl stments actually
occur in large cities, large percentage
of the men come from homes in the
country, The prediction that the change
would prevent enlistments and increase
assertions has not been fulfilled. Since
the law was approved ON Feb. 2, the
recruiting stations have been thronged
with men seeking enlistment for the
service, q, 944 men having enlisted since
that date, and the percentage of deser
lions is now far less than in former
years.
rendered judgments in the cases of
several states having disputed accounts
with the government for equipping
troops for the war with Spain. In the
cose of the State of Maine, the iudg
ment against the government is $131 587.
The question of Federal interference
in local politics has come up speedily
for decision by President Roosevelt.
he President has been in the White
| House hardly more than a month, and
the influence of the Administration is
already sought in more than one local
contest. He takes the ground that he
will not interfere in the political affairs
of the states.
State Department has been ad vised by
j is agents in ConstantinOple and Sofia
that communication has been establish
ed with Miss stone. The Russian
foreign Office is cooperating heartily
with United states officials to obtain her
release.
| Frank ]. Osborne has been appointed
10 succeed Judge Fuller as associate JUS
tlce of the United States curt of
Private Land Claims. Like his pre-
decessor he is Democrat. He is res
ident of Charlotte, n. C., and was
formerly attorney general of North Car
DINA.
The supply of silver bullion in the
Treasury has dwindled until only about
S42 900, 600 worth is left.
Rear Admiral Schley concluded his
testimony before the naval court of
inquiry, v ednesday. His direct testi-
mony occupied two days and the cross
examination three.
That unusal activity prevails in the
retail trade of the entire country is
evidenced by demand upon the treas
ury for notes of small denominations
and fractional silver so great that the
resources of the Government are taxed
to the utmost to keep up with it.
Boston Journal: ut Is almost wicked
to revive for the consideration of the
Bourbon press of the South the fact that
Richard M. johnson, a good Democrat
Vice President under Van Buren,, had
black wife, who, In the event of Van
Buren's death, would have become mis-
trna .ft hA