Middletown transcript., 1904-02-06
WASHINGTON LETTER

fed with the rapldity with WHICH the
sentiment OF the country is crystalizlng
In his favor. Congressman Stevens OF
Minnesota says that within thirty or
sixty days all anti Roosevelt talk will dis
appear. BY that time it will be plain
that a great majority Of the delegates to
Chicago have been instructed to vote Tor
the nomination OF the President. Sena-
tor Platt Of New York says the delegates
from bis state will be SO instructed. Even
Gov. Durbin Of Indiana, while admit
ing the popularity OF Senator Hanna in
that state, announces that if President
Roosevelt is nominated at Chicago, ne
will get the party vote OF the state. Con-
gresham Landis, of Indiana, who in his
his paper has often called President
Roosevelt 'sham reformer," now says
he has changed his mind, and that he
will be nominated with the record OF
his administration for his platform" On
the 9th inst. Senator Hepburn called at
the White House and informed the
President that Idaho indorses his admin
istration. Senator Cullom says there is
nothing but Roosevelt sentiment in Hi
nois among the Republicans.
~
The first speech from the Democratic
side of the Senate in favor of ratifying the
Panama treaty was made on the 9th
inst. by Senator Simmons OF North Caro-
lima. He said it is hard to argue against
q success; impossible to do so against q
fact. He accepted the situation as it ex-
lists, and would vote for the treaty as his
people are very anxious to have the
canal built. In SO doing he would net
condone any wrong that might have been
done to Colombia, or the violation OF any
international law. Senators on both
sides Of the chamber listened with undi.
vided attention.
~
What was called "a great constitutional
question" was sprung upon the Senate on
the 28th inst, during debate upon Sem
ator Culberson's resolution which asks
the president f. inform the Senate
whether all documents concerning the
negotiation Of the Panama treaty have
been laid before the Senate. Senators
Cullom, German, Lodge, Spooner and
Bacon engaged in the debate. The Re-
publicans contended that the Senate has
no right to demand papers from the
President, and that he is to be the sole
Judge whether information may be given
to the Senate. The Democrats contended
it is the high prerogative Of the Senate to
call for all or any information on file in
the executive departments at its pleasure,
and that the sole judge whether the in
formation shall be forthcoming is the
Senate in all cases where it has iurisdic-
ton.
~
Governor Taft, Of the Philippines, the
new Secretary Of War arrived in WASH
ington on the afternoon Of the 9th and
was met by an immense crowd Of cheer
ing citizens and troop Of cavalry which
escorted him to his hotel. He had a
pleasant journey; he is in the best OF
health and in high spirits. A large man.
Of forty-fve, active, stout, attractive,
magnetic, with sparkling eye and q
hearty grasp Of hand, he is admired by
all who see him and loved by all who
see him and loved by all who knew him
He at once called upon Secretary Roo
and the President and was warmly wei
coined. In the evening he attended 6
large reception given by Senator AlgeI
and is this week the popular toast at off
cial gatherings. He laughs and says il
is impossible for him to be candidate
for the presidency.
~
General John G. Black, the new Ciyi
Service Commissioner, and Commander
of the Grand Army OF the Republic, il
credited with being the head and front O.
the new service pension agitation. Con
gresham Sulleway of New Hampshire
has introduced bill to give pension te
every soldier who served ninety days
and it is alleged to have the support o
the administration. 1t will cost come
$50, 900, 900 a year. General Daniel Z.
Sickles, now in his eightieth year, is
moving about the Congressional lobbies
on his crutches and talking up Black for
the Democratic nominee. If he can't
have Black, Miles will answer.
~
The more the parcels post proposition
is considered as recommended by the
National Board Of Trade here. the more
warmly it meets with public appreciation.
It is matter which touches every citi-
zen, and we are far behind Europe. 1t
costs sixty times as much to send mer-
chandise by mail in this country as it
costs in Germany. Germany has ex-
tended the limit of mailed packages to
ITO pounds, while we can send but four
pound. Great Britain carries a package
from Edinburg through England 10
Egypt, to India, and to China, and de-
livers it there for twelve cents pound,
or about half what it costs from New
York to Philadelphia. John Wana-
maker says that parcels could be carried
through our mail at one-twelfth of their
present cost easily, "but there are four
insuperable obstacles the four great ex-
press companies"
~
Congressional: The House Commit
tee on Labor is hearing arguments on the
Sibley bill to prohibit the purchse by the
government OF convict-made goods.
There will be no more hearings concern
ing government eight-hour law. The
Washington District Commissioners ask
Congress for $l3, ,0O0,OO0 with which to
run the city government another year.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions has withdrawn the proposed amend
ments to the Panama treaty. This will
expedits matters. Congressman Homen-