Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-08-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Washington, July Both, 1904.
Editor Press
Nearly every young man of
social position in Washington ex-
poets to serve two or three years
in the National Guard of the Dis
trict, and reach at least the grade
of First Lieutenant. For the past
week there has been much activity
at the local armories making ready
for the encampment at Harper's
Ferry, which will continue from
Aug. 1st to the 18th. The camp
is near the junction of the Shenan-
doah and Potomac rivers, and
there will be an excellent oppor-
tunity to learn the art of swim
ming. The departure of the boys
for Virginia reminds your cores
pondent of a unique incident which
he witnessed at the beginning of
the war with Spain. Suddenly all
the District militia was ordered to
go into camp in the grounds of the
Soldiers Home, some three miles
north of this city. Their depart
ure was witnessed by an immense
crowd which assembled in the
vicinity of the Center Market
Armory. There was the usual
weeping, kissing and handshaking,
for some thought the boys would
soon be on the battle field. They
tramped up Seventy street to the
grounds of the Home, only to find
the gates locked and admittance
refused. Finally the old soldier
on guard let them inside. There
were no preparations for sleeping
on the sodded turf; no tents; no
beds; nothing to cat. For one
night the boys slept under wet
moon with the sky for a blanket,
and mosquitoes for companions.
The next day they came back to
town, band playing and flags fly
ing disgusted and disgruntled.
Quite a number of designations fol-
lowed. They doubted the wisdom
of going to war with officers cap
able of making war so cruel.
Interesting department news is
made public each week, for how
ever high the mercury climbs and
wherever Cabinet Ministers may
be taking an outing, the business
of the executive branch of the gov
ernment goes on forever. The
Post Office department announces
that the parcels post has been ex-
tended to China, and after August
1st, packages not exceeding $50
in value can be sent to far Cathay.
The Navy Department will soon
accept bids for $1,000, 900 worth
of armor plate. The Government
is now engaged in building more
than thirty war ships. Secretary
Metcalf has issued d "railroad ac-
cident bulletin" which shows that
for the quarter ending the 3lst of
last March, 919 persons were kill
ed on the railroads of this country,
while II, 444 were injured. This
is at the rate of nearly $50 for each
day, an awful and appalling
record. The damage to railroad
property for the same period was
50 ,256, AT. Secretary Shaw esti-
mates the deficit in the L. S.,
Treasury for July at $21, 900, 600.
He remarks that a couple of years
ago he said a very high standard
of business would be necessary to
enable the present revenue laws to
yield enough to meet the large ex-
penditures of the government.
Like everything else business fuc-
tuates; the lean years follow the
fat. With the great demand Eur
ope is sure to make for the coming
American crops of staples, a
larger expectation will take place
in the autumn, with a correspond |
ingly increased importation of old
world goods, and a larger revenue
from imports.
Violent Attack of Diarrhoea Cured by