The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-02-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

Monday everybody was on the QNi 0i0e i'll
anticipation of the histrionic performance
which was to present to an ultra fashion
able audience the flower Of the capital
debutantes and DANES in theatricals and
tableaux. Fabulous prices had been paid
for boxes and sittings and the long list OF
patronesses, which was headed by Mrs.
Roosevelt's name and included those of
the leaders of society, insured a gratifying
success. The feature of the entertain
ment was the presentation of THE
Reward of Amaryillis," written by Mrs.
Burton Harrison, with Miss Jennie Pearce
of Boston, i'll the leading role. Mrs.
Harrison came to Washington to di-
rect the presentation. The proceeds will,
of course, be devoted TO charity
Another notable event in the interest
of charity of equal social importance will
be the lecture on the evening of February
2oth, on "King Lear" by DR.. D. J. Stat
ford, the famous Shakespearian inter
prefer who sacrificed what would have
been brilliant histrionic career to enter
the Roman Catholic priesthood.
49,
To satisfy very general curiosity as to
the costume which will be worn by the
American representatives at the corona
ton Of Edward VII, l have ascertained at
the State Department that it will consist
Of ordinary evening dress, except that
knee. breeches and black silk stockings
costume was agreed upon many years ago
in conference between the State Depart
ment at the British Foreign Office and
has ever since been worn by American rep.
resentatives when attending court. The
Americans will be the only persons so
attired, all others not in uniform being
required to appear in court-dress with
cocked-hat, sword, etc. The United
States naval and army officers will, of
course, wear full uniform.
*x*x*
On Monday the repea of the war rev.
enue taxes was taken up in the House
and the bill unanimously passed without
word of debate. Much interest centers
in the Ways and Means Committee which
took up the question of Cuban reciprocity
Monday. l saw Chairman Payne but
could elicit from him only the fact that
the Committee would see what it could
do without injury to American interests -
There is no doubt that majority of the
Committee is opposed to granting any
concessions, OH principle, but the pres
sure from the White HOUSE and from the
Senate end of the Capitol is so strong that
some measure will probably be reported.
The PHILIPPINES bill is still under con-
sideration in the Senate After debate
Oh Monday the Senate passed the bill
establishing permanent census office.
The President is again at the White
House and has completed his verdict in
The Schley case, which will probably be
made public Goon
A vigorous effort is being made in the
House of Representatives to secure the
passage of bill providing for Depart
ment of Mines and Mining, and Repre-
sentative S. D. Woods of California. the
author of the bill, is leaving no stone
unturned TO secure that end. The meas
ure providing for the establishment of a
Department Of Commerce and Labor
seems likely to pass the p.esent session
and makes Mr.. Woods all the more GER
tain that be can secure the passage of his
bill. Speaking on the subject he said,
There is every reason why the govern.
ment should recognize the importance OF
this industry by establishing department
10 represent it with cabinet officer al its
head. The mining interests of the coun-
try produced wealth in 1899 to the amount
of 1916, Soc, 900. Is that not reason
enough in itself why there should be a
department to represent these gigantic
interests3 Again, there are hundreds of
thousands of men employed i'll the mines
Of the country. Their interests should be
safegaarded as only department of the
government can guard them. We have a
Department of Agriculture to watch over
and protect The interests Of the farmers,
TO investigate improved methods. to de-
terniiue what are worthy of adoption and
what are not, and so save the farmers
themselves millions of dollars This de
partment further investigates foreign
markets. Why should not the mining
interests have all these helps and safe
guards? They deserve them. They con-
tribute millions to the wealth of the
country and they deserve recognition and
the greatest possible protection that the
government can afford them. The addi-
tion of an immense area of new territory
in til. Philippines, Porto Rico, etc, all of
it doubtless rich in mineral wealth, Is an
added reason for the establishment of
such department.
49,
Because of the apparently widely en-
tertained opinion that the oleoniargarine
bill, reported by the minority of the
House Committee OH Agriculture and
chainpioned by Representative Wads-
worth, was inimicial to the dairy inter
ests, called on the latter and requested
him to explain the si.nation from his
stand point.