Middletown transcript., 1904-04-30
WASHINGTON LETTER

ocratic House leader from Mississippi,
complains that many abstract and purely
political questions have been ignored or
permitted to rest until next December on
the plea of want of time. He would have
the trusts prosecuted, the reciprocity
treaties ratified, the Filipinos granted
more rights, a nearer approach to free
trade with Canada, and general reduc-
ton of the tariff. Mr.. Hamilton, MEM
Der from Michigan, ''threw down the
gauntlet" few days ago, in which he
vindicated> the present policy of the Re-
publican party, upheld its present tariff
policy not only as necessity for giving
the government its needed revenue, but
as the chief factor in the prosperity OF
the times. He said that il there is any
widespread dissatisfaction with the tariff
the people will have an opportunity to
give an expression of their feelings at the
polls next November. The Pension bill
carrying $l37, ,OOO, 900 has passed Senator
Scott of West Virginia, said that if he
could have his way he would give PEN
sion of $25 per month to every Union
man, rich or poor, who took up arms in
the Civil war. There was some speech
making in the House against giving the
President control of the Panama canal
zone, but when the bill came to vote it
passed unanimously. The only apprupria-
ton bills still before Congress are the
General Deficiency and the Military Aca-
DENY.
~
A good many odds and ends of legisla-
ton remain to be looked after before the
final adjournment. There is a PROPOSE
ton to buy the LIST and I'd Bull Run bat
tie fields, and erect monuments thereon.
The jamestown, Va, exposition now
asks for 81, 600, 900, one million of which
is to be used for naval parade. The
Department of Commerce and Labor has
prepared twenty-eight bills for the estab-
lishment of fish hatcheries and stations.
A government subyention scheme for the
promotion OF the construction of railroads
in the Philippines is before Congress. 1t
proposes to empower the Philippine Com
mission to arrange the details of the sub
sdy, the time for repayment and the
manner of securing the government
against loss. Secretary Taft is in favor OF
the plan and wishes it to cover period
of thirty years by the expiration OF
which time he thinks the roads will be
self supporting, and that the natives will
have made great progress in commerce
and civilization.
~
There is bill before Congress which
declares that after June Goth, 1904, when
a clerk in the civil service reaches the
age of 20 years, his position shall be va
cant. There are some two hundred or
more clerks of this age employed in
Washington, and there are number of
Senators who are over seventy. Congress
is considerate in giving the aged clerks
three years notice.
*x*
The question of Mormonism and plural |
wives is again before the public, owing to
the frank confessions and admissions OF
Agnus Cannon and ex-Congressman
Brigham II. Roberts. Three of Mr.. Rob-
erts wives have been accounted for and
Mr.. Cannon has made the astonishing |
statement that he married two of his six
wives at the same hour. This is quite as
bad as progressive divorce, which only |
permits a man to marry several wives in
succession. Senator Beveridge is strongly
in favor of Senator Smoot retaining his
seat. According to Mr.. Cobb, of Boise
City, Idaho, the Mormons hold the BAL
ance of power in that state. Senator Du-
bois wishes to know if any post masters
in Idaho are living in polygamy. If
there are any such they shonld be ex-
cuded from the mails.
~
The President has had very busy
week of it. Social matters have divided
his attention with more sober duties. He
attended and enjoyed immensely the
play at the Lafayette. opera heuae given
for the benefit of the kinsmen of those
who lost their lives on the Missouri. Mrs.
John G. Fremont was the leading lady.
A few days ago the President received a
of fifty-six colored men from
the Baltimore conference of the African
NJ. E. Church. The Daughters Of the
American Revelation have transacted
vast amount of business provided for
Washington palace and paid their re-
spects to the President. General Freder-
ick D. Grant and General Joe Wheeler
have been in town this week and called
to see the President. General Wheeler
smiled at the rumor that he contemplates
and said he is too young for
that sort of thing.
~
The statue OF Frederick the Great will
arrive in Washington early in September.
Congress is willing to appropriate $50, 900
Tor statue OF Thomas Jefferson. There
Is much local excitement in the city over
the proposition to run a street railway
east and west across town. Everybody
wants it to traverse ''some other street."
Cardinal Satolli is to arrive in town in
June. There is a movement on foot to
prevent Sunday evening concerts. The |
Commissioners are draftinga bill for COM /
pulsory education for all children be-
tween eight and fourteen years of age.
While visiting in this city the Daughters
of the American Revolution made pilgri.
mage to Jamestown, Va. The boundary
VI. E. Church of this city has base ball
Sunday school class. There is also BAN
Iuet hall in the great new church.
~ Il,
The Washington Sanitary Housing
s the name of new society which has