Middletown transcript., 1904-07-16
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON. D. G.. July 9th.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 9th.
HE o0th anniversary of the Republi
can party was celebrated in this cit,
on the 9th inst, by the Republican club,
OF the District, Ex-senator John M
Ihurston presiding at the mass meeting
In letter from George B. Cortelyou
Chairman OF the Republican National
committee, he said: "May the celehra.
ton which you and your associates have
arranged voice the spirit. of true Repub.
ilcanism-the spirit that during half a
century has animated the great organiza-
ton whose principles and whose policies
nave been among the mightiest forces in
our moral and material development
senator Thurston characterized the st,
Louis Convention as representatives of
the "ragtag and bobtail of humanity"
And speaking of the president he said:
HE can be relied upon to preserve all
our international prestige. In his strength,
honesty, courage and patriotism the
American people can safely repose their
trust" 1t is announced from Oyster Bay
that the President is enjoying picnics
With his family in the surrounding forests
and that he will return to the Capitol
about August first and hold a Cabinet
meeting. Most of the Cabinet officers
are away from Washington. Secretary
Morton has gone to Chicago, to attend on
the 18th inst. a complimentary dinner
gwen by the Merchants Club. He will
return early in August in time to meet
the president. Mr.. Cortelyou did not
leave Washington for couple of weeks
as recommended by the President, but
has opened temporary office in the an
mex of the Arlington hotel, where he has
taken off his coat and gone to work pre-
pairing for the campaign, and waiting for
the outcome of the St. Louis Convention.
He has been besieged by an army of poll
tlclans seeking an interview, offering
advice, and hoping for work and wages.
Elmer Dover is also there, as the right
hand man of the Chairman, and some ac-
tive and decisive work may be expected
in the near future.
~
Few people remember that Just forty
years ago this month battle was fought
in Washington for the. defence of the
city, and that Abraham Lincoln was
spectator of the conflict. The battle is
known as that of Fort Stevens, in which
8 officers and so men were killed, and 8
officers and 137 men were wounded. On
the 18th inst. fine monument will be
unveiled in commemoration of the event.
1t has been erected on the exact spot
where President Lincoln stood.
~
During the past week the people OF
have been shocked by two
dreadful crimes: the shooting on the 4th
Of July of Policeman Smith, who has
since died, by young U. S. cavalry off
cer who was drunk; and the brutal MUIR
der in San Francisco of a popular young
lawyer, only 26 years OF age, John J.
Hill, widely known and beloved in this
'ity, who was on his way to Manila to
ill government position. The untime-
y death of Mr.. Hill is uncommonly sad,
Is he was unusually mild and inoffensive,
highly educated and refined, and grad
late in law of the National University,
where he took the highest honors. The
mystery surrounding his death has not !
ret been dissipated It is only known
hat he made all arrangements to sail for
Manila on the day he died. He was :
ound early in the morning on Mission :
treet, San Francisco, in an unconscious
and died without regaining
the afternoon of the same
ay. The autopsy revealed that he had
een struck on the back of the head and
hat he died from conclusion of the brain.
he theory of the San Francisco author
lies is that he was set upon by thugs,
nocked senseless and robbed. His class
,ates in this city have published resolu.
ons of sympathy and appreciation. The
oliceman left a wife and six children to
lourn his loss. Recently there have
cen four homicides in Washington and
st week there were three suicides.
~
The matter of introducing the Guate-
ALLAN ant into Texas has been referred
} the law department of the Government
y the Secretary of Agriculture, for an
oinion upon the legal aspect of the case.
'hile it is claimed that the ant is PER
city harmless, and really useful, it is
fought best to be on the safe side. The
d results of introducing the gypsie moth
to Massachusetts, the San Jose Scale
to California, the Hessian fly at the
me of the American Revolution. and
e Canadian Thistle, are we'll known to
scientists and those engaged in agri-
ture. But some remedy for the boil
eevil must be discovered, and it may be
e ant will prove to be the blessing sought
r.
~
Tyhoid fever. as the result OF drinking
lpure water, has begun to appear in tnis
y, and the health officer has issued
arning that a. least during July and Au-
st all drinking water should be boiled
filtration plant is being built in Wash
gton but is yet far from completion
lie water of the Potomac, which sup
les, the Capitol, is often very muddy, as
e river quickly becomes turbid alter
cry rainfall. The danger of sumnle.
sorts is that il drought prevails, or the
rvants are careless, the drinking water
ay become contaminated and typhoid
low as result.