Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-01-23
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IL, 100.

Immediately following the dip'o matte
reception at the White House the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt entertained at
dinner the leading members Of the
corps. The table was set in the east
room and covers for one hundred guests
were laid Both the east room and the
dining table were beautifully decorated
with palms, smilsx, orchids and roses.
An amusing incident occurred shortly
before the assembling of the guests,
when Master Archibald Roosevelt and
the fve-year old son OF the colored
butler were discovered seated at the
table devouring the bon.bons which
were placed in small dishes at the side
OF each plate. Among the guests pres
ent were Lieutenant General and Mrs.
Miles. l understand that invitations
we're also extended TO Admiral and Mrs.
Schley but that, owing to the fact that
the admiral had made his plans to
leave for Savannah that evening, it was
impossible for them to be present.
On Friday some one connected with
the White House establishment made
what might almost be termed "iaux
pas" in that it placed in most EN-.
barrassing position number of Mrs.
Roosevelt's friends. Cards were sent
out in Mrs. Roosevelt's name to some
three hundred persons bidding them to
an informal tea at the White House
from to 6. At the same hour Jan
Kubelik, the famous violinist, gave
concert to which most OF the people
invited to the White House held tickets.
An invitation from the first lady OF the
land is regarded in the nature OF com.
msnd and it would be quite impossible
to plead previous engagement as the
cause Of absenting ones self from one OF
Mrs. Roosevelt's afternoons. As it was,
some very expensive boxes and seats at
the Kubelik concert were sacrificed or
filled with the younger members OF the
family while their elders spent a not
over enjoyable hour at the White House.
Although there are already equipages
in Washington which belong to some OF
"the old families" which must have
been in the height OF fashion in Grants
time, the president has sent for one
that promises to antedate them all. 1t
10 the old phaeton which was built some
sixty or seventy years ago for the pres-
dents father. Mr.. Roosevelt has had 1t
repainted and repaired and its use will
be devoted to the children. The body
is black but the gear is blue and is
striped with light blue so that anyone
who fails to recognize Mr.. Roosevelt's
offspring, by the marked resemblance
to their distinguished parent, mile off,
will have no difficulty in placing them
by the antiquity OF their turn out.
Al the capitol, the energy which has
characterized the fifty.seventh congress
since it's Inauguration does not seem to
wane and large amount OF work is
disposed of daily. OF course at this
time the greater portion Of the work is
done in the committee rooms and so
makes less show than it will later in the
session, but subsequent daily sessions
will demonstrate the energy with which
the various committees have attacked
the large amount of legislation which
has been referred 10 them.
Two interesting sessions have been
held IN the house, one Of them devoted
to the consideration Of the Hepburn
bill which provides for the construction
Of the isthmian canal along the Nicara'
guam route a. an estimated cost OF
$3.50, 900. 900 and which was passed by
vote Of 30S to 2 The other session
which filled the galleries and secured
full attendance Of the members was
that held on Friday last and which was
devoted to the consideration OF the bill
reported by the census committee and
which provided for the permanent or
ganization OF the census bureau. The
bill did not meet with the approval Of
the members and 1t was referred back TO
the committee but there is little doubt
that II will be revised in accordance
with the wishes OF the representatives.
and reported at no distant date IN q
form that will ensure its passage.
The senate committee on military
affairs, which had IN charge the investi.
cation OF the charges against Colonel
Heistand. has made its report and II
declares that the investigating com
mittee was unable to find any evidence
in support of the charges made. The
report is entirely in accordance with the
prediction made ia these lettera some
months ago and exoneraLes all the
officials, upon whom Major Hakes
charges cast any reflection, with the ex.
ception, perhaps, Of Major Hakes and
who is no longer an official.
Representative s. ID. Wood, OF
California has introduced in congress a
bill providing for the establishment Of
department Of mines and mining.
Mr.. Wood Gays that the value Of the
mineral products Of the United States
in 1890 amounted to little over 1910 800,
900 and that an industry Of this size
should be represented in the govern.
ment by a special department. Such
a department would also have the
interests Of the miners to protect and
Mr.. Wood believes that in a short time
1t would become one Of the most in