Middletown transcript., 1904-02-13
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON. February 9Th. 1904

1
WASHINGTON, February 9th, 1904.
PRELIMINARY skirmishes in the
= Presidential campaign thus far have
been decided satisfactory. Little is now
heard OF "Hanna booms," and all discon-
tent in Republican ranks is expected to
disappear after the delegates to Chicago
are chosen. The President has expressed
the wish that good men who are not
office-holders ma, be sent, and there are
plenty of such. The troubles Of the
Democrats are so much greater than
those OF the Republicans, that attention
is now largely concentrated upon that
party. The very existence Of its princi-
pies, says Burke Cochran, depend upon
its success in the pending campaign.
''The cheek and checkbook" campaign
OF Mr.. Hearst is noticeable but it is not
| likely to cause the White House to be
painted yellow for generation to come.
Senator Germans troubles in Maryland,
choice, may yet relegate him to his syl-
van retreat at Laurel, Md, SO far as
Presidential aspirations are concerned
| General Grosvenor, OF Ohio, says Presi- |
dent Roosevelt has put star in the
crown of his administration brighter
than any American President has worn
for the past thirty years. Senator Fair
banks is on the slate for Vice President, |
and if the plan natures it will 60 far to-
wards solving the problem in Indiana.
~
Senator Fairbanks, made long speech |
on the I'd inst, vindicating the Presi- |
dents action in the Panama affair. He |
maintained that the form Of government
instituted in Panama after the revolution |
was of no consequence; the essence was
did it represent the wishes OF the whole
people. He would accept the Presidents
and Secretary Hays word that the
United States in no way abetted or aided |
the revolution, which was in the air, as
result of Colombia's long tyranny. The
President had large discretion to do what
he thought best, and he acted from his
point of view.
~
Senator Foraker (Ohio) has introduced
bill to SO amend the Interstate Com
merce and Antitrust acts, as to permit
contracts or combinations in restraint OF
trade, if the restraint is reasonable. This
would leave the courts to say what is
reasonable restraint. The Senator con-
tends that to prohibit contracts in res
traint Of trade which are reasonable diff
fers from the common law rule which
has obtained for centuries in England.
1t is considered improbable that this bill
will pass
~
One Of the jobs before Congress is the
bill to purchase the sequoia groves in
California. At the last session the price
asked was $l5O,OOO. At this session it
has grown to $25O,OOO Congressman
Wiley Of N. Y, proposes to impose on
the Treasury the Bank of England rule
that paper currency once redeemed is
never to be reissued. By vote of 80 to
20, the Senate has agreed to allow the
President to use his own judgment as to
what information might be given that
body when asked for. The case of Sena-
tor Smoot, on trial for Mormonism,
comes up this week. He has no inten-
ton Of Iresigning. The Interstate Com
merce Committee is hearing arguments
on the Quarles bill which proposes to
give the Commission power to check ex-
herbitant railroad rates. The House has
voted the sum Of $l70,0 as pay to clerks
for extra services during the war with
Spain. Senator Foraker has introduced
bill to purchase ten acres of land on
Meridian Hill, Washington, for $3.50, 900
on which to build new and magnificent
White House.
*x*
The Supreme Court is taking three
weeks vacation to give the Justices time
to write decisions on cases argued, in
cluding that of the Northern Securities
Company, and it has given leave to
Georgia to file bill against Tennesses
on account Of 'the Ducktown nuisance.
It has decided that North Carolina must
pay North Dakota the sum Of $27, 400 for
bonds of the N. O. Railway Company,
held by the prosecuting state, or the
marshal of the court will sell at public
auction all the interest of N. c., in 100
shares Of the capital stock of the road.
The Attorney General Of the Philippines :
is in Washington to argue before the
Court the right Of trial by jury in those
islands, also whether person shall be
twice placed in jeopardy Of punishment
for the same offence.
~
Secretary Wilson thinks the farmer is
not getting enough for his beef, or the
consumer is paying too much. He be-
lieves the retailer abserbs most Of the
h0CNiOtnie h0ttoH ibno iGcuCA O | II,
circular in y Nhich he says citizens of the
U. S. returning from the old world, may
fetch home free OF duty personal effects
not exceeding $1C0 in value; but they
must not do this too often. Ex. Cover
nor Francis, who is running the St.
Louis Fair, is in town, asking Congress
for loan OF $4. 500, 900 to be secured by
a lien OH the gate receipts. Why? Be-
cause as usual 'the original estimates
were too low" Congressman Litteield
Of Maine will retire and practice law in
Boston. He is disappointed at the fail
ure Of his attempts to secure legislation
for the people. Senator Morgan an
nounces that he has made his last speech
on the Panama treaty. Senator Dietrich
is back from Nebraska and wants to be
investigated by tile Senate. Ills request