The Press., 1902-03-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, March oath, 1902.


Exceptional industry has marked the
course Of events at the capital during the
past week and gratifying amount of
legislation has been disposed OF. As soon
as the ship subsidy bill was out of the
way, it having passed the senate on Mon
day afternoon, that chamber turned its at
tention to the bill for the protection of
the president. Although favored by the
large majority of the senators there were
number who objected to the provisions
Of the bill on the ground that they were
too sweeping and that they might be
made, In time of political excitement, the
however, proved obdurate and contended
that in these days of enlightened public
opinion and remarkably equitable courts,
the fears expressed were groundless. He
refused to accept any of the amendments
offered and on Friday the bill passed.
The measure provides the death penalty
for assault onthe president, vice president
or any member of the cabinet, or the
sovereign or chief magistrate of any foreign
country who may be in United States
territory. 1t further provides that any
person who shall instigate, advise or
counsel the killing of any Of the officials
named shall be liable to imprie onment for
term not to exceed twenty years. On
Friday the senate passed the war revenue
repeal bill sent up from the house. The
only change from the house measure con-
sisted in permitting the tax on "bucket
shops' to remain intact. On Friday even
ing the senate adjourned until this noon
when the oleomargarine bill will be taken
up. e,
The entire week in the house has been
devoted to the consideration of the river
harbor appropriation bill. On Friday the
bill passed without division. 1t carries a
total appropriation of $50, ,6S8, 1857. Satur-
day was devoted to the private calender.
The testimony of DR.. Wiley before the
house committee on interstate and foreign
commerce, apropos Of the pure food bill,
is attracting much interest. The doctor,
| who is the chief of the bureau of chemistry
of the department Of agriculture, present
ed for the inspection of the committee a
large number of samples Of adulterated
| foods. Among them were fruit buffers,
bearing different labels but all identically
the same article. They were made Of the
refuse of evaporated apples and glucose.
Sample jars of preserved Strawberries
contained glucose, aniline dyes, and about
twelve Strawberries to the jar and other
fruits were In the same proportion. Beauti-
fully green French beans were colored by
the use of copper. Canned peas were
shop-worn and worm-eaten dried peas sat.
urated with water. There were also showI
clarets and port wines which contained nc
grape juice but were made from fermentec
glucose, dyes, etc. Numerous food pro-
ducts contained borax, benzoic acid, Goa
tar dyes, and other ingredients most In
furious to delicate or immature stomachs
DR.. Wiley's testimony produced great
impression on his hearers and will prob
ably result in the passage of one of thu
pure food bills.
On Thursday, the senate committee OF
military affairs called General Miles be
fore it to testify as to the expendiency O
passing the army reorganization bill, O
which Secretary Root Is practically th'
author. The general severely condemned
the measure and even threatened to resigI
If 1t became law. Some of the general'i
statements cast reflections on the admin
stration and at Fridays cabinet meeting
the advisability of reprimanding the gen
eral, or of Immediately retiring him, wal
discussed but no action taken, pending
the publication of his testimony by tn
committee. That any such action will b.
taken, however, Is not likely as it woult
be opposed by the senators, who argu'
that If subordinate Is punished by thu
president for testimony given before I
congressional committee, such committe
will, in the future, be unable to secur
, from such subordinates reliable informa
!. tion In regard to the workings Of the exc
. cutive departments. .....