The Laclede blade., 1904-08-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
New and Comments From Our Correspondent
at National Capital.

at 6 o'clock, to catch glimpse of the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt upon
the event of their midsummer return
to the capital. His speech of accep.
tance the day before, at Oyster Bay,
had given general and genuine salts
faction to all republicans, for its di.
rectness of statement, its sincerity,
its modesty, and the manner in which
were expressed his own views and the
politics Of the republican party. As
usual the President shook hands with
the engineers who had brought him
safely over the road, and was at once
driven to the White House, fragrant
with flowers, where dinner was i'm
mediately served. Yesterday many
prominent politicians paid their re-
spects, and the campaign being open,
considerable information was made
public. Senator Proctor of Vermont,
who is not at all worried over the
strike at his marble quarries, told the
President the Green Mountain state
would roll up majority Of $4,000;
and that Secretary Wilson of the
Dept. Of Agriculture, and Speaker
Cannon, will take the stump about
the middle Of August. A better
choice of speakers for the farmers of
Vermont could hardly be made.
Proctor, Wilson and Cannon are
much alike and are plain, earnest
and impressive speakers. Gen. How
ard, who also lives in Vermont, told
the President that he will speak dur
ing this campaign as he did for Nc
Kinley in 1896.
A Cabiuet meeting was held at II
o'clock yesterday, all the ministers be-
ing present except Hay, Taft and
Hitchcock. These gentleman will re-
turn to town in season for the impor-
tant meeting which is to be held next
week. Postmaster Gen. Payne, ap-
peared to be in excellent health and
spirits. He is perfectly confident that
Wisconsin will be found in the repub-
lican column. Secretary Shaw will
not cali upon the national banks for
their Government deposits. He has
$28,O00,000 and thinks that is
good working balance. Secretary
Morton discussed with the President
who should be made chief of the Bur-
eau of navigation in place of Admiral
Taylor who died a few days ago.
The names of Robley D. Evans and ,
Capt. Davis have been mentioned in
connection with the vacancy. The
secretary has ordered the American
feet, now in European waters, to re- !
turn home, and it may be expected
about Sept. 1. Early in August Sec-
retary Morton contemplates visiting y
the navy yards, from Norfolk to
Portsmouth, N. H. He will make =
the trip in the Dolphin, and take his
family with him.
Nearly every young man of social
position in Washington expects to
serve two or three years in the Ma s
tional Guard of the District, and t
reach at least the grade of First Lieu. 4
tenant. For the week there has been d
much activity at the local armories t.
making ready for the encampment at d
Harper's Ferry, which will continue
from August 1st. to the 18th. The
camp is near the junction of the Il
and Potomac rivers, and b
here will be an excellent opportunity 8,
o learn the art of swimming. The
departure of the boys for Virginia re-
minds your correspondent of a unique n
Incident which be witnessed at the be- d
ginning of the war with Spain. Sud- RI
ienly all the District militia was Or I
Tered to 60 into camp in the grounds L
# the Soldiers Home. some three m
miles north of the city. Their de- n
,arture was witnessed BY IN immense OF
.rovd which asaamhled in the vicinity h