The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-03-11
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondents.

Senator Hale of Maine is trying to
see to it that his constituents who re-
side near Fort Preble shall not suffer
loss because of the poor marksman-
ship of Uncle Sans a~rtillerymen. The
senator has introduced a bill to re-
imburse Harriet s. Webster, Margaret
e. Mcdonald, Malvina H. Merriam and
others for damages inflicted on their
property by mortar shells fired from
Fort Preble in the fall Of 1901, which
seem to have hit nearly everything on
the immediate Maine coast except the
target.
Harriet, Margaret, Malvina and the
rest will get their money. 1t is more
than possible that the names Of these
good women appear in the claims in
lieu Of their husbands or other natural
protectors because the records show
that women claimants have a way of
winning out when 1t comes to legisla-
ton and preliminary lobbying.
The man behind the gun In
Uncle Sans service ordinarily shoots
straight, but neither soldier nor sailor
considers that a mortar is a gun. A
mortar can't be sighted as car a long
tom. To some extent the shooting is
guesswork.
No EARLY Adjournment.
The president evidently does not ex-
pect an early adjournment Of congress,
judging from remarks he has made to
callers. In talking to the Virginia del
egation that called upon him the other
day to ask him to visit jamestown the
president said that congress would
probably have lin Upon it's hands, at
the time the celebration is to be had
at jamestown, May 10, and for that
reason he could not determine wheth-
er he would be able to accept the invi-
tation. Republican representatives have
hoped for a long time that they could
get through with the work in congress
by the last Of April, but the statement
of the president indicates that he does
not expect an adjournment before some
time in June. The fact that no impor-
tant legislation is to be had at this ses-
sion beyond the Panama canal and the
appropriation bills has induced many
senators and representatives to hope
that they would be able to get away
from here early in the spring.
Speaker Cannon Impatient.
Speaker Cannon forgets himself once
In awhile in the chair. His lapses are
always In the direction Of rushing
business, and he has a way of neglect
ing the set forms which have grown
up in the machinery Of legislation. The
other day, when the house was in
something Of a turmoil, with various
motions pending and just as it was go
ing into committee of the whole on the
urgent deficiency bill, MI. Barnes, the
presidents secretary, arrived with a
message from the White House. He
hurried through the door and started
to take off his coat. Kennedy, the as
sistant doorkeeper, who always intro
duces the presidents messenger, was
standing waiting for him to come up
into the middle aisle. Half a dozen
members were ON their feet trying to
catch the speakers eye, and the speak
er was trying to escape them by put |
ting the house into committee of the
whole. There was al awkward pause
" q AOW@ SCCOLAuS WAlAC DdIuCS was |
getting d~isentangled from his coat.
The speaker raped impatiently With
his gavel and called out:
"Well, If you've got a message from
the president, why don't you present !
I'll"
Then Kennedy, knocked almost
breathless, gasped out his usual for
mula, Barnes said his part, and the
house broke out into a roar of laugh
ter.
Official Etiquette.
At his daughters wedding the other
morning Justice Brewer received a
practical lesson in the new official eti-
quette. AS the bridal party vanished
down the church aisle the justice left
his pew and made for a side door, with
a view to getting his carriage promptly
and reaching home in time to get out
Of his hat and coat before the arrival
OF b guests hidden to the breakfast.
Observing that no one followed him,
he turned inquiringly and beckoned
somewhat impatiently to the occupants
Of the family pew. Mrs. Brewer put
out a restraining hand and clutched
his coat. AS she drew him back with
in the inclosure she pointed out to him
with a motion of her head the gentle
and lady standing in a front pew
on the opposite aisle. No one nowadays
may leave an ~assemblage of which the
president or members of his family
form a part until the White House
people have taken leave.
Justice Brewer cast an impatient
glance in the direction of the presiden-
ttal pew and subsidized while the naval
aid summoned the White House turn
out.
shafroth q Chess Champion.
Representative Shafroth Of Colora-