The Laclede blade. (Laclede, Mo.) 1890-1945, 1904-12-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Our Regular Correspondent Writes From the
National Capitol.

All appearances indicate that the
administration will conduct the affairs
Of the nation on strictly business prin-
cipNs for the common good. The
tone of the presidents last three
speeches pleading for race harmony,
deprecating class distinctions, urging
men and women to be strong and
make the most of themselves, advocat-
ing the simple life and proclaiming
religious liberation, indicates that so
far as in him lies peace and goodwill
shall prevail throughout the land, fol-
lowed by state of intelligent happi.
ness heretofore unknown in America.
On Wednesday last some Chicago
gentlemen called at the White House
to ask the president to induce Secre-
tary Hay to- consent to deliver a
speech on Washington's birthday be-
for the Union League Club of that
city. Mr.. Roosevelt said that Mr..
Hays health is not such as to war
rant his undertaking to prepare a
speech Of the nature indicated. He
is crowded with important diplomatic
work and has yet to prepare pro-
gramme for the forthcoming Hague
conference. And while congress is in
session the work of the state depart
ment will be augmented.
Xxx
The president added that now that
the campaign is over, and Secretaries
Taft, Shaw and Wilson have enlight-
ened the people generally upon gov.
ernment matters, from Maine to Cali
fornia, he desires for the future that
members of the cabinet shall not be
called upon to deliver addresses ex-
cept when they may necessarily ap-
pear as public officers. He says so
much speaking aud travelling interfer-
es with their proper work and retards
business Most people will agree
with the president and applaud his
determination.
k
Much to the delight of Massachu-
setts the announcement is made that
Secretary Moody will remain in the
cabinet. The president is fond of
him, and finds that they hold many
views in common on the great socio-
logical questions-capital and labor;
improvement of moral and material
conditions; the tariff, finances, trusts,
etc. Mr.. Moody is known to have
the beef trust in hand, and the presi-
dent has the highest confidence in his
legal ability.
x * 4:
The fact that the president finished
his message before starting for St.
Louis, and that it is now in proof, is
thought here in Washington to indi-
cate that it is brief document recon-
mending little legislation outside Of
the regular appropriation bills. These
of themselves promise to call for
enough money, and it would be un-
wise to disturb present business inter-
ests by introducing revolutionary leg
islation.
On all sides bureau chiefs are ask
ing for more funds and more men.
Government work increases so fast, |
as result Of the great undertakings
in which it is engaged, that it is diff
cult to keep up with it. The Panama
canal will soon need many more men
and much money. The chief of the
bureau of navigation asked for gen.
eral staff not unlike that provided for
the army, to administer naval affairs,
and says that the number of officers
should be increased at least so per
cent. He wants 600 lieutenants in
the navy and 300 lieutenant comman-
ders. He urges that the United