Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-01-08
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1903,

strangling it. They will let it live
perhaps to become disgrace and tor.
ment to its doting parent. For the
ratification OF the treaty is no assur.
ance of the building of the canal
North and South America-the Sia-
mese twins OF this hemisphere-are
connected by granite ligament. In
the effort to break this ligament by a
waterway at Panama, France, has al
ready expended twenty years OF time,
and in cash and bonds the enormous
sum OF 1926 900 900 to the terrible af-
Fiction and distress of her people. She
has found that there are lions in the
way. The Chagres river sweeps twice
across its path with torrential fury
that bears everything before it and the
Cuba mountain possesses vast "a.
vines to cross which with a canal
would be like constructing a viaduct
across the Colorado Canyon. 1t may
be possible after duplicating the years
and putting into it other hundreds OF
millions of dollars. but its completion
at last will be the highest tribute ever
yet paid to the indomitable genius of
the people of the United States.
Yesterday met in the lobby of the
House of Representatives Representa-
tive Richardson of Tennessee, formerly
Democratic leader of that body, now
superseded by John Sharp Williams
OF Mississippi. He leaned heavily on
a cane and had lost ten or fifteen
pounds since his electric car accident.
Replying TO my question, he said, 40
there will be issues enough next year,
even if our friends in the Senate
should vote to ratify the Panama
treaty, and it now looks as if they
would. From the South comes up q
whirlwind of approval of it. They are
chasing the woodchuck Of prosperity,
and perhaps they think in some indefi.
mite way that it justifies the principle
of secession. But do you suppose the
American people like the confidence
game by which Colombia is being
robbed OF her possessions? Will they
forgive such an offense against justice
and decency? And what will have
become OF the Monroe doctrine"Y
For many years Democrats in the
Senate have been at q striking disad-
vantage when compared in ability or
distinction with their Republican COL
leagues. But they now seem to be
recovering their ancient prestige. Sen.
ator Carmack, as a speaker on q ques.
ton in which his feelings are inter-
ested, exhibits the satire, the irony,
the fclicitous use of words and the
picturesque brilliancy of Ingalls,, and
the announcement that he is to speak
draws great audiences. Bailey, though
almost the youngest member, is by
tacit consent the constitutional law
yer OF the Senate, and Republican
Senator, even Allison, Foraker, or Dol
liver, hesitates to question his conclu-
sions. His personal appearance is also
attractive. Young. tall, and very
comedy, when standing by the side OF
such q man as Spooner, he seems CO.
lossal. He has dark eyes, black and
shaggy name, firm-sct mouth and
aggressive chin, and high forehead
like q panel of white marble. He
would not don q swsllow-tail to 90 to
the Presidents reception, but during
the day he uniformly wears q Prince
Albert. His immense voice would
reach acres Of voters and was evidently
intended for Texas. Like Spooner he
INDUCES too much in spatting his
hands to emphasize his periods, which
seems to an amused listener a sort OF
self-applause; but he will get over this.
In his recent contest with Spooner on
Cuban reciprocity he 20 completely
triumphed that Lodge, Frye and Plat
spIang to the assistance OF his oppon-
ent and covered his retreat to the
cloak.roOm.
Between five and six hundred child.
rem, the flower of Washington, were
entertained at the White House the
day after Christmas by the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt. There was a mus
ical programme, given by young folks,
followed by refreshments set forth in
the State dining-room. The President
helped to distribute the cake and ice.
cream, had q pleasant word for each OF
the tots, and was" o boy again" for
the occasion.
The Cuban Congress, in an effort to
prevent reduction Of the revenues of
the new republic, is considering bill
increasing duties on imports 25 per
cent. Should this bill discriminate
against the United States in any i'm.
portant manner, it would perhaps
cause the abrogation of the new reci-
procity treaty. The Cuban Senate has
voted down the increase and it is
thought the lower house will do the
same.
Two United States Senators are to
be chosen this winter, one, probably
Hanna, from Ohio, and Democrat
from Maryland, either Governor John
Walter Smith or Isidor Rayner, the
eminent counsel and friend OF Admiral
Schley. If the prevalent talk may be
relied on, Maryland will send solid
Democratic delegation to the Fifty
ninth Congress.
The Christmas cycle passes merrily
in Washington this year as usual.
Jacob Riis, the bosom friend of the
President, has been in Washington
and expresses great alarm at the con.
dition OF alleys; but lamentations OF
that sort are in his line of business,
and as . matter Of fact the sanitary
condition of Washington is better than
that of almost any city in the country.
Probably there were more turkeys
eaten on Christmas here than in any
other city OF the world in proportion
to the population. Uncle Sam pours
into the pockets of an army of clerks
two or three hundred thousand dollars
week. This competency tends
strongly to comfort.
The President has exhibited to his
guests this week. with much pride and
competency, silk flag of his fifteen.
minute republic, Panama. He seems
to have accepted this from some ad-
miring Panamanian, though his con.
science compelled him to decline a