The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-04-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, April Il, 1909.

Il
while 1t is assumed when the measure was
called up that two or three days would
suffice to dispose of the matter, novote
will be- taken until Wednesday, and the
outcome is more problematical than 1t
was week ago. Senators Hoar, Diliing-
ham, Gallinger and Cullom have al de-
clared themselves opposed to the present
measure on one ground or another and
1t Is regarded as quite possible that the
result will be the adoption of the amend-
ment offered by Senator Platt, and which
consists Of substituting the Geary law for
the present bill and re-enacting that.
On last Tuesday the house beganNits
consideration of the Cuban reciproeity
bill, and has been debating the subject
ever since. AS the debate has proceeded
the opposition has dwindled, and it3is
generally conceded that the measure wall
pass without amendment. The policy of
the friends of the bill In preventing the
| setting of date on which to vote has
been proven judicious, as the members
who opposed the bill have wearied of the
long debate and have lost interest. 1t Is
now predicted that vote will be taken
on Thursday of this week. So far the
discussion has been characterized by some
very able speeches, notably those Of
Messrs. Payne, Grosvenor and Long, and
1t has been matter of interest that these
speeches have been almost entirely di-
rected at the opposing factions of the re-
publicans, little attention having been
paid to the democrats or their contentionss
An interesting session in the senate
last Friday was precipitated by Senator
Depew, who had, during the morning
hours on Thursday, taken occasion to ex-
press his views on the proposed amend
ment to the constitution providing that
| senators shall be elected by popular vote.
MIR. Depew gave notice that he would
move an amendment providing for fed
eral supervision of elections of senators,
and In SO doing criticised the election
laws in some southern states, mentioning
by name Mississippi and Kentucky. On
Friday afternoon Senator Blackburn Of
the latter state replied to the junior sena-
tor from New York; and his remarks
were sarcastic In the extreme, but he at
all times confined himself to purely par
liamentary usage. Wishing to deny GER
tain statements of the New York senator
he said, sit goes without saying that the
truth Is innocent Of any appearance In
that statement" The passage at arms
between the senators amply demonstrated
that men possessing fine command of
English need resort to no profanity or
Billingsgate to express their difference of
opinion In most forcibie terms.
General Schofield appeared before the
senate committee on military affairs one
day last week, and presented his testi-
mony in regard to the proposed army re-
organization bill. Among other things
he stated that the present general of the
army, Miles, was not on speaking terms
with the president or the secretary Of war,
and clearly demonstrated the futility OF
| expecting the best administration of the
army under u system which made 1t prac-
tically compulsory upon the president to
retain as his chief subordinate man with
whom he could In no way agree. Accord
ing to General Schofield the staff would
serve to relieve the secretary of war OF
| the administration of many details for
which his usual civilian training has not
fitted him, and the selection of chief oi
staff by the president would insure har.
monious action between the commander
in-chief and the fret military officer.
The chances of President Roosevelt's
occupying the presidential chair for some
weeks longer, during his first term, than
any of his immediate predecessors seem
to be growing. The national committee
appointed to consider the advisability oil
changing the date of Inauguration met
here recently and determined upon the
last Thursday in April as the most favor.
able date. There are now forty-three
governors of states who have accepted
their appointment to the committee, and
1t seems probable that, by their combined
effort, the necessary change In the consti
tuition will be accomplished. As has beer
pointed out. 1t Is not only the danger te
the health of the officials who take part
in an Inauguration which will be obviated
by the change to date when the weather
is more clement, but the health of many
thousand visitors who flock to Washing.
ton, and who, being away from home, ale
often the most exposed.
The president has found In the person
of Robert J. Wynne, a long g-time newspa.
per correspondent Of Washington, first.
assistant postmaster general, and 1t Is ex.
pected that Mr.. Wynne will assume the
duties Of his Office by the first of May
Mr.. Roosevelt has also elected sa sue.
cessor to Pension Commissioner Evans,
Eugene F.Ware being the appointee. Mr.
Ware Is resident of Topeka, and his ap-
pointment will be source Of qualification
to the Kansas delegation.
The president and Mrs. Roosevelt have
returned from their trip to the Charleston
exposition, and the former declares that
he Is much rested. There are few people
who find such journey restful, but 1t
seems to be one Of the presidents charac-
teristics that all he requires In the way OF
rest is a change Of activity. It Is hoped
that the presidents visit may result in an
increased attendance at the exposition,
which has been falling far behind ex-
penses, notwithstanding the excellence OF
the exhibits and the general arrange
ments. Miss Roosevelt, also, has re-
turned from her visit to Mrs. Leonard
Wood In Havana.
| Ely's Liquid Cream Balm is an old
friend in new form. 1t is prepared for