Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-04-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Fron, our Regular Ooyrespondent)

Washington, April l6, 1914.
Editor Press
The week has been very inter-
esting one in Washington, politi-
cally, socially and sorrowfully.
Many interesting speeches have
been made in both houses of Con-
gress, concerning important ques-
tions. Senators and Representa-
tives who talk largely for political
effect have had ample opportunity
for doing so by presenting amend
ments to pending bills, denounc-
ing the bills, and then voting for
them with astonishing unenimity.
This is very satisfactory to the Re-
publicans, who have but to contain
themselves with patience, remain
good natured and see the opposi-
ton discreetly come to terms.
Just now favorite form of Demo-
cratic diversion is to keel haul
Grover Cleveland for all the mis-
fortunes which have come to the
Democratic party. He is de-
nounced as the noblest Republican
of them all. There must be q
scapegoat, and the reviled ex-Presi-
dent is as good as any. Perhaps
all this irritation is but natural,
since, as Congressman Hamilton
of Michigan says: Protection
makes good times" And the
happy and prosperous people are
turning, almost to a man, to Presi-
dent Roosevelt as their leader for
four more years. All the political
news from the States which comes
to the White House is reassuring
and the President can we'll consider
himself relieved of anxiety regard
ing his nomination and election.
This gives him and his advisers
time for the consideration of i'm
portant and pressing questions.
The explosion on the Missouri,
with the appalling resulting loss of
life, caused great sorrow and per-
plexity among the officials of the
government. 1t was very unfort-
unate in all of it's aspects, espec-
tally 50 for Capt Cowels who has
just been severely criticised for the
collision of his ship with the Hi
nois. While the navy department
was profoundly impressed with the
news of the Russian war ship
horror, and congratulating itself
that such terrible accidents never
occur in the American navy, there
came upon the heels of this news
the account of the Missouri ex-
plosion. The effect was stunning.
The President at once started a
subscription "to be used for the
dependent kinsfolk of the enlisted
men" who perished, The exact
cause of the disaster may never be
known. 1t is thought the affair
was an unavoidable accident.
There are those who suggest that
the use of smokeless powder may
have had something to do NTH the
explosion. It's nature is not yet
very well understood.
Senator Morgan has again begun
to discuss the whole Panama canal
question, and at this writing is in
the midst of the third day of his
speech making. The opportunity
was afforded by the consideration
of the Canal Zone Government
Bill. The proposition is to give
the zone d civil government and
confer upon the Commissioners the
pardoning power. Mr.. Morgan
argues that a military government
would be much better and more in
harmony with the eternal fitness OF
things. He takes the ground that
the zone is military reservation,
policed by United States soldiers,
and that the Commissioners should
devote their best energies to the
construction of the canal, relieved
of all callateral matters. There is
much good sense in this view oi
the matter. But will men be will
ing to work under military law?
Can civilians be compelled to dc
this? Why not get enlisted men
to work upon the canal?
Letter to c. J. GoodnOugh.
Emporium, Pa.