The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-01-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9th, 1903.
One of the most brilliant state recep-
tions ever witnessed in Washington took
place on New Years day. Bright sun
shine and temperature almost balmy
added to the comfort of the guests and
the remodeled interior of the White House
contributed to the interest of the occa-
sion. Following the usual custom, the
President assisted by Mrs. Roosevelt, the
members of the Cabinet aud their FAM
lilies, received the justices of the Supreme
Court, the members of the diplomatic
corps in their elaborate uniforms, the
officers of the army, navy and marine
corps, all in full dress uniform, and sew
eral thousand civilians and the whole
scene presented picture kaleidoscope in
color and animated in the extreme. In
the front corridor the Marine Band rem
dered an elaborate program while diplo-
mats, officers, senators and civilians stood
about chatting and admiring the new and
beautiful decorations.
Following the reception at the White
House, Secretary Hay entertained the
entire diplomatic corps at breakfast.
With the exception of Mrs. Hay, and
Mrs. Root and Mrs. Hitchcock who are in
mourning, the ladies of the Cabinet re-
ceived their friends at various hours
throughout the afternoon and evening.
The Secretary of the Navy received with
Mrs. Dewey, the Admiral being absent
with the fleet.
*xx
To a very remarkable extent politics
have given place to society during the
holiday season, the President setting the
example by entertaining large house
party and remaining away from his Office
as much as circumstances would permit.
Many members of Congress left Washing
ton to return Monday, when the second
half of the second session of the Fifty
seventh Congress convened at noon.
While legislation has Jagged and politics
have been dull during the past two weeks,
there is every reason to believe that the
ensuing two months will be marked by
exceptional activity. Ordinarily, the last
session of a Congress is devoted almost
exclusively to the passage of the regular
appropriation bills, but this year there
are many important matters demanding
TT. ,e 90;
the Senate calender and is the regular
order of business. During the holidays a
second bill has been drafted admitting
Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one
state The Cuban treaty awaits ratifca-
ton or rejection and the same is true OF
the New Foundland treaty. Senator
Cullom is determined to secure some con-
sderation of the Kasson reciprocity
treaties which he declares should be dis
posed of if only as matter of courtesy to
the countries party to them. Trust legis-
lation still occupies a large share of at
tention and will doubtless monopolize a
considerable portion Of the time Of Con-
gress between now and the 4th of March.
~
The latest contribution to the anti
trust agitation consists of the Hoar bill
which the venerable senator from Mass
achusettsss made public last week, The
measure is sweeping in its provisions and,
as was to be expected, was Immediately
attacked by persons opposed to anti
trust legislation. The most inlportan,
opposition so far expressed comes from
Representative John J. Jenkins of Wiscon-
sin. Mr.. Jenkins is chairman of the COM
mittee on Judiciary. a majority of which
committee must be won to the support OF
the bill before it can come before the
House for action. A summary of Mr..
Jenkins opinion is to the effect that the
trusts have nothing to fear and the people
nothing to gain by the passage of the
bill. He further declares that the
measure contains nothing new, apart
from its phraseology.
~
After providing that $500, 900 shall be
placed at the disposal of the Attorney
General for the prosecution of trusts, a
sum already appropriated by the House
for that purpose, Senator Hoar's bill en-
joins absolute publicity for all corpora
tions doing all interstate or foreign bust
ness, where there is not double liability on
the part of stockholders. For combining
in restaint of trade, exacting contract
from purchasers prohibiting the sale OF
goods below stipulated price or for sell
ing below the market price for the purpose
of running competitor, penalty is im-
posed, to consist of IS, 900 fine, or not ex-
ceeding one years Imprisonment or both,
and the violation of any provision of
the law entails forfeiture of charter.
These are the leading provisions of the
bill.
~
Great interest is still manifested in the
fate of the Cuban treaty. Senator Plat
of Connecticut told your correspondent
that so far as he has learned the only ar
guments advanced against the treaty
were pure nonsense and would be easily
disposed of when the treaty came up for
discussion. There is, however, an I'M
dercurrent of opposition to the treaty from
the high protectionists who believe they
m AA,,fa a.: II