The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-02-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.

A close student of Congress must be
convinced that the commercial interests
of the nation control legislation, and that
politics, even in Presidential campaign
year, are but incidental. Both republi
cans and democrats protest that they are
not swayed in the least by partisan mo-
tives. but seek only the good, glory and
prosperity of the country. This is very
gratifying situation, and as long as the
public funds hold out, so long will the
various enterprises which depend upon
governmental aid prosper. Recent re-
ports show that the new navy is making
satisfactory progress; our foreign COM
merce is rapidly increasing; our insular
possessions are fairly prosperous; and
great internal improvements for the
benefit of the American people at home
are contemplated, such as good roads,
forest reserves, irrigation, canals, destruc-
ton of noxious insects, and the general
advance of agriculture. A higher moral
tone in the government departments may
be expected as result of the vigorous
wedding out Of corrupt and incompetent
employees. As soon as a vote is reached
upon the Panama treaty, legislation will
progress with more rapidity and political
discussions will be largely eliminated
from the Senate
M
The agitation for a parcels post goes on
in Congress and out. Our present method
is absurd and terribly expensive. To
send package of merchandise through
the mails it must weigh less than four
pounds, and then it costs ten times as
much as it costs in England or Germany,
where any parcel less than II. pounds
may be sent. Thanks to our stupidity,
an Englishman can send eleven pounds
by post from Edinburgh to Oregon, across
the Atlantic, and straight across the
United States, cheaper than New York
er can send four pounds from Rochester
to Buffalo. Are Americans always going
to consent to remain patient and passive
in the grip OF. four rapacious express
companies? Are our thrifty people really
Indifferent to their own interests?
~
The question of the presidency is quite
warm. In Washington it looks as if
Roosevelt would certainly be the candi-
date Of the republican party, for Senator
Hanna's repeated protestations are taken
at par aud there is nobody else in sight.
The woods are full of democratic candi-
dates. General Miles friends have
brought him forward in a respective"
attitude, and Grand Army men have
largely enlisted under his banner. As he
has never entered into any partisan dis
putes or differences, it is thought he may
be Bryan's dark horse" The very
latest suggestion is that of General John
c. Black by General Sickles. The one
legged hero of Gettysburg is stumping
round the Hobbies of the Capitol on
crutches setting forth Blacks high avail
ability to everybody he meets. This
would be going to Chicago for candi-
date, but he has lived many years in the
East, and General Sickles declares him
strong in New York.
~
Congress is all worked up over the
horse-and carriage scandal and the inves-
tigatidn goes on.' 1t is believed that
there are fifty or sixty carriages and as
many pairs of horses in use by subordi-
nate officers in the different departments
that were bought with government money
and are used altogether for private pur-
poses, going to receptions, returning
calls, etc. They are driven by coachmen
who are borne on the rolls as messengers
and are paid from the public funds. 1t is
now proposed to have an auction, and it
is not believed that the horses which cost
$500 apiece and the carriages which cost
$500 can be sold for more than third of
that amount.
~
General Reyes, the Colombian minister,
sailed for home on Saturday. He has
been elected to the presidency of that
republic and he hurries southwark to re-
strain the war feeling. The amendments
which the Committee voted to add to the
Panama treaty before sending it to be
acted on the second time, have all been
Withdrawn suddenly and the treaty is to
be ratified as it stands, as soon as vote
can be had. But the democrats are still
loud and long in protest.
*x*
The new Secretary of War, Governor
Taft, arrived from the Philippines On
Wednesday. His predecessor took great
pains to receive him with all honors and
a troop of cavalry met him at the depot,
and, accompanied by Secretary Root,
escorted him to his hotel. 1t was very
unusual and perhaps Unprecedented atten-