The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-11-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From ourlregular correspondent

ton this week, apropos of the speakership
contest, which is attracting widespread
attention, both as curiosity and as a
possible factor in the struggle for chair
manship of the House of Representatives.
1t has been discovered that, under the
constitution, the speaker of the House
need not be a member. He may be elect
ed from private life. No sooner was the
discovery made than it was suggested that
it would be an appropriate token of their
respect and esteem for the republican
members to elect General Henderson
speaker of the Fifty.eighth Congress,
notwithstanding the fact that he will not
be member of that Congress. Whether
this suggestion was put forward simply as
feeler, at the behest of General Hen
derson himself, or whether it is merely
the idea of the Speakers ardent admirers,
of whom he has host in Washington, is
not known. The possibility, however, if
followed up by even moderate campaign
in behalf of General Henderson's claims,
will serve to still further complicate the
even more interesting than was
anticipated.
~
There is good deal of comment among
the veteran members coming to Washing
ton, on the youthfulness of the members
elect of the Fifty eighth Congress and
they cite the New York delegation as an
illustration of the extent to which the
people are, in these days, departing from
the adage "old men for counsel" With
the youngest President in the White
House, that the country has ever had,
the next House of Representatives will
show the youngest body CT men ever
selected to legislate on the affairs of the
nation 1t has been said that the Senate,
however, would not be affected by this
craze for young men, but the older MEM
bers point to Beveridge, Bailey, culber-
son, Ell al, as an evidence that the young
men are crowding the "graybeards" out,
even there.
Nv
With remarkable expedition the treaty
with Columbia, providing for the con-
struction of the Panama Canal, has been
brought to conclusion and the conyen-
ton duly signed by Secretary Hay and
Minister Concha on Monday. The Sec
rotary says that he regards the arrange
ment made as most favorable to the
United States, and he expects its prompt
ratification by the Senate.
w."
The copy Of the Cuban treaty has been
received i'll Washinton, and while the
terms are not altogether satisfactory to
the administration, Secretary Hay still
hopes to secure the necessary modifca-
ton so that it will be in shape to present
to Congress when it convenes two weeks
hence. 1t may be said that the Cuban
government, embroidered by the shortage
in the sugar supply of the world and the
increased price resulting therefrom, de-
mauds larger discount from the Dingley
tariff rates than the administration feels
justified in asking Congress to allow, but
General Bliss has gone to Cuba and will
attempt to convince President Palma that
to demand too much is likely to defeat the
treaty, which would prove disappoint
ment to the President and a serious injury
to Cuba.
~
1t is stated at the White House that the
somewhat sensational reports sent out ir
regard to the health of young Theodore
Roosevelt are totally unwarranted. The
boy has been using his eyes too hard and
the doctors ordered him to give them as
complete rest as possible for at least a
week. Even his return to Washington
was left optional with-him and his par.
ents, but with the prospect of a weeks
enforced idleness, both the lad and his
mother deemed it wise for him to return
to the White House. His affection is not
serious and will in no way interfere with
the Presidents Southern trip.
~
1t is becoming more and more evident
that there will be no change in the tariff
schedules during the coming session. The
republican leaders who are arriving in
Washington all say that there will be no
time to even "think of tariff revision
during the "short session." General
Grosvenor, who has returned for the
winter, is most emphatic in this opinion.
1t must be remembered that the elections
have in no way changed the organization
of the House and will have no effect
until the next Congress convenes, there
fore, with Speaker and major ty of the
Ways and Means Committee bitterly op-
posed to any revision, those members
who do favor such policy will be given no
opportunity to do more than present bills
which will be promptly referred to the
committee named and then smothered.
~
That there will be no trust legislation is
not so sure. Some of the prominent
financiers of the country are becoming
alarmed at the situation. What they re-
gard as especially dangerous to the fnan-
cial stability of the country is the organ
ization of trusts and the floating of trust
stocks based on information which is