The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-09-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WAsHINGToN, D. c., September end.
Mr.. EDIToR:-GcHeral Woods report,
as Governor General Of Cuba, has Just
been made to the War Department. 1t
reviews the administration of the affairs
of the island during the past fiscal year,
paying attention to resources, education,
the judiciary,'tnc steps taken for a new
civil government, etc. But the most sig
nificant portion of the whole document
contains an unconscious arraignment of
the high tariff policy of the United States
Government. He said that the present
system does not favor good commercial
facilities on account of unfavorable duties
on tobacco and sugar. They keep the
prices up in this country and if they are
persisted in, in regard to Cuba, it will
mean that development of Cuba will be
slow if at all, as the changed conditions
in commercial relations since the time of
the Spanish War make her now market
her principal products in the United States,
and she must have lower duties eff she is
to live and prosper" Comments like this
are the best arguments that low tariff can
have, and they are particularly forcible
when they concern the vital welfare of an
island that our promises and our national
honor compel US to foster and protect.
The summer is Uncle Sans house clean
ing time, when there is nothing else in
Washington of sufficient Importance to
distract his attention from this imperative
task. During the hot months the annual
renovation takes place, and about the first
| Of September sees the work completed.
This year the changes have been particu-
larly sweeping, almost all of the interior
of the Capitol building being repaired and
made modern. The Supreme Court room
was about to emerge from chaos of
plaster, when only a few days ago the
temporary plaster ceiling, under the new
steel one fell and hurt several workmen.
A party Of tourists, under the direction of
one of the Capitol guides, got out in the
nick of time. One Of the most ticklish
jobs has been the putting in of steel
counterpart of the plaster ceiling of Statu-
airy Hall. This hall has peculiar acoustic
properties, there being many "whispering
galleries" that are the delight Of the young
| married couples that make Washington
| their honeymoon Mecca. These galleries
| are also prolific sources of income to the
Capitol guides who reveal their mysteries
| to the uninitiated. On account of all this
there was a clause in the ceiling builders
contract that the change should in no
wise impair the whispering properties. A
recent test shows the mystic echoes still
| intact. The usual new carpets will appear
| in the Senate and House, the old ones
| having been removed. Absolutely unique
| carpet gns-though always in red
are Injuries that Uncle Sam allows his
Legislators.
The Schley- Sampson controversy is at
tracing but little attention now, and
everybody is letting it drop for a breathing
spell until the Court of Inquiry cOnvenes
at the Navy Yard, September 18th. On
account of the dearth of news Just now
the yellow Journals are trying to keep the
feud alive, but the public is apathctc.
The politics of Virginia are attracting
| some local attention. for one Of the candi
dates for lieutenant governor, Mr. Will
lard, who is furnishing the campaign
''bar'l,' is a business man Of this city and
the owner of the historic Wizards hotel.
He gained legal residence in the Old
Dominion, it is said, for the express pur-