Middletown transcript., 1903-10-17
WASHINGTON LETTER
WAsHIxGroN, October 18th. 1903.

POLITICIANS here believe there will
be no currency legislation until after
the presidential election. Representative
Hill, of Connecticut ranking member of
the last House committee on banking and
currency, says that many Republicans
are discussing plan of submitting the
question OF financial legislation to joint
committee which will investigate the
need of currency reforms and make re-
concentrations to Congress. The Com.
mittee will either be named by Congress
or appointed by the President from men,
hers of both houses. 1t is believed that
Congress would pay little heed to conf
mittee composed of outsiders. While it
is not certain that Congress would accept
the recommendations of the committee,
its appointment is regarded as wise
move for several reasons. 1t would give
the Republican factions an opportunity
to argue their differences outside of the
House, it might find a measure upon
which they could all agree, and it would
postpone any legislation on this difficult
subject until after the presidential elec-
ton. The party could thus 60 before the
country without showing any lack of har-
mony. Secretary Shaw, Senator Aldrich
and Representative Fowler all have diff
erent plans for currency reform, Speaker
Cannon is not certain that any is needed,
and the National Bankers Association
has recently appointed committee to
solve the problem. 1t is thought that
these different interests should not be
allowed to conflict in a session preceding
presidential campaign. 1t is for the
same reason that even those Repnhlieans
who favor it, have decided to postpone
tariff revision. In the meantime Secre.
tary Shaw Is doing all he can to relieve
any money stringency. Since septem-
Der 1st he has placed in circulation
total of $22, ,274, 800. He has done this
by increasing the government deposits i'll
the national banks and by the refunding
and redemption operations now in pro-
gress. 1t is hoped that the Secretary can
prevent money stringercy and thus re-
move all danger to the business world
from the postponement of currency leg
islation.
~
With the adjournment last week of the
Washington grand jury the first stage of
the postal investigation was passed.
There are now thirty persons awaiting
trial on charges of defrauding the govern.
ment through the Post Office Depart
ment. Against many of them there are
several indictments; Machen must an
swer to fourteen and Beavers to six.
Among those accused are former post
master general and six others who held
important positions in the department,
an ex-member of Congress and state
senator from New York, Pennsylvania
mayor and number of private citizens
who furnished supplies to the depart
ment. Most OF the trials will take place
in Washington and will begin this fall.
They are expected to drag on through
next summer. Mr.. Bristow's report will
soon be given to the President and the
Postmaster General intimates that there
will be several changes and dismissals in
the department, made OH the advice of
those who have conducted the investiga-
tions This will end the investigation as
far as the department is concerned. 1t
is regarded as certain that the Republi-
cans will call for congressional investi-
cation and as postal affairs are sure to
enter politics the coming House commit
tee on post officers and post roads will
assume unusual importance. 1t is be-
lieved that Representative Overstreet of
Indiana will be appointed to this impor-
tant position, to which his experience as
a politician and skill as party leader
seem to entitle him. He Is secretary OF
the national Republican congressional
committee. In this way the Republicans
believe they will be able to meet the ex-
pected assaults of the Democrats on the
Post Office Department.
~
From recent political gossip the follow
ing is interesting as showing the senti-
ment of some of the people of the South
against President Roosevelt. Mayor
Smyth of Charleston said in an inter-
view, ''The South has no candidates
1t is any body to bear Roosevelt, who is
most cordially disliked on account of his
attitude on the race question. Formerly
he was popular with US. When he was
in Charleston during the exposition he
promised me, in the presence OF two
other gentlemen, that no colored man
would be appointed to Office in our
state. He had hardly returned to Wash
ington before he did the very thing he
promised he would not do. Even if he
named his two witnesses Mayor Smyth
will have great difficulty in convincing
anyone that President Roosevelt ever
made him such promise.
~
Last Thursday the President had as
guest at luncheon, Attorney Folk who
has become famous through his relentless
prosecution of the st. Louis boodlers,
Plans were discussed for adding bribery |
to the list of crimes mentioned in the ex-
tradition treaties with foreign countries. |
Mr.. Folk is deeply interested in such a |
measure as several of tie men whom lie |
had indicted have taken refuge in Canada |
or Mexico. He believed that the agree
ments with foreign countries should be |
made retroactive in order to make it pos
sible to get possession of those who are
already indicted. The President showed
much enthusiasm for the plan and Secre.
tary Hay was sent for, to whom Mr.. Folk
explained his case. The Secretary prom
ised to take such steps as seemed practi-
cable and as soon as possible.
DELAwARR's FOOTBALL SCHEDULE