Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-08-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.

{ Washington, D. c., Aug. 17,-Inter.
, esting but conflicting reports are COM
ing from Oyster Bay regarding the ex
traordinary session of Congress and
financial legislation. From the thigh
authorities" quoted it is evident that
the President himself Is at sea in his
efforts to serve all interests. Bound
by what be regards as a pledge, to urge
the consideration of the Cuban treaty
legislation in advance of the financial
measure now being prepared by Sena-
tor Aldrich and his fellow members of
the sub committee of the Senate Com
Imittee on Finance, the President is be-
ing subjected to such strong pressure
from the capitaIistic classes in the east
that he has been compelled to consider
the advisability of calling Congress in
extra session even earlier than had
been anticipated, November 8. That
| the President has seriously cOntem-
plated such move is proven by an
| interview Senator Aldrich gave to the
press in which he refers to the likelihood
| that Congress will be called to convene
| in October.
No sooner was the possibility of such
an early session learned in Washing
| ton than it was met with the protests
of the practical politicians who say
| that they will be fully occupied with
| the various state elections in October
and that no member of Congress can
be spared to attend to national affairs
until November elections are disposed
of. Attention is called to the precari-
GUS situation in Ohio, where the demo-
Gratis give promise of acting as one
man to defeat Senator Hanna by elect.
ing legislature hostile to him. The
Secretary of Agriculture has even
promised to go to Ohio and take the
stump to save the Ohio leader and it Is
appreciated that the most energetic
measures must be taken to recOup the
political fortunes OF the patron OF
Perry Heath. August w. Machen,
"Cliff' Long, and other members OF
the "Ohio gang"
The situation in Rhode Island is
also most alarming to the republicans.
The democrats In that state have
made unprecedented gains and bid
fair to control the legislature and all
other important offices. II they are
successful this fall it will entirely dis
rupt the republican machine and there
will be every chance that the legislature
elected a year later will defeat Senator
Aldrich, who comes up for re election
then, and will send a democrat to the
Senate. In the face of this alarming
state of affairs the republi cans feel
that they must put forth every effort
to save the state and ultimately to save
the leader Of the republican party in
the Senate.
There is also an important contest
on in West Virginia where the republic
cans are badly divided, many members
OF the party having determined that
| they will no longer be represented by
Senator Scott, whom they appreciate
| is bound hand and foot to the great
coal, iron and railway interests of the
state. Under these conditions the re-
| gular members of the party are being
| urged to enter the state and exert their
best efforts to save Scott from defeat.
These are but few of the problems
which confront the republican leaders
and which would be seriously ag-
gravated if Mr.. Roosevelt were to call
Congress in session in advance of the
elections.
| On the other hand, the condition of
the stock market is occasiOning che
financial experts of the republican
party the greatest anxiety. The stu
alton is such that, at present, the Sec
rotary of the Treasurer is pOWeriess to
relieve the market. The people, that
is the outsiders and ordinary investors
have come to see that prices have been
inflated as result of the hurrahine
over an entirely artificial prosperity
and they simply refuse to buy Mr.
Morgan's ''undigested securities
) Now, say the financial experts, if there
should come money stringency as 6
result of the call for money to move
the western crops, there would follow
o panic of serious proportions and n
= covery from it would be so slow that i,
al would inevitably shatter the vauntel
prosperity which is expected to return
: Mr.. Roosevelt to the White House ant
! the people would turn to the democrats
to revise the tariff and relieve the con
|sumers from paying the heavy tribut,
now exacted by the trusts. Unde
these conflicting arguments, Presiden
Roosevelt evidently does not know
which way to turn.
The expected indictments In tn
Postoffice investigation have not ye
been brought in, although it is certain
that they will be Forthcoming in time
lprObably within ten days. With tn
batch of indictments now under con
lsideration before the grand jury an,
1.-TWO more cases, which 1t is expected
will be brought before the jury at al
early date, the postoffce investigation
will doubtless come to an end. Th
dismissal of M. A. w. Louis has beel
definitely determined upon. Louis wa
a protege of former First Assistan
Postmaster General Heath and ha
been found to have been grossly culp
able in the purchase of ink, if no
Iguilty of collision. 1t is also belleee,
that john NJ. Masten. assistant super
intendent OF the railway mail Service
will have to go and numerous othe
dismissals are under contemplation
No attempt to arrest George w. Beav
ers. the indicted postal official, ha
hoov. ~, a 4 time -