Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-06-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
Interesting Letter from the Capitol
Political News,

The platform is being thong htfuliy con-
sidered, especially what shall be said
about the tariff and reciprocity. As
to the vice presidency, MIR. Roosevelt is
not bothering himself, although it is re-
markeble how many men profess to be
anxious to dodge the nomination.
The highest opinion now Is that II will
naturally go to Senator Fairbanks, OF In
diana. The ''dritt" Is conceded to be I'm
his direction, and II he should be showed
under with votes at Chicago, he will take
the compliment very kindly, even sacri-
ficing his feelings and inciinations.
The labor question In Colorado begins
to loom up, and ali sorts of frantic APP
peals come to the White House urging
the President to take some decisive ac-
tion. This he cannot do, OF course, until
called upon by tho governor OF Colorado.
But the matter appears to be assuming
national Importance, and may have q po-
litical effect.
In common with all citizens the Presi-
dent has been shocked and deeply stirred
over the terrible disaster In New York.
He has ordered Secretary Cortelyou to
make thorough, short, sharp and decis-
i've investigation, putting the blame where
1t belongs. The inspection OF steam boats
Is a function OF the federal government,
conducted by federal officers. II there
has been any neglect OF duty, or bribery,
the President wishes to know 1t.
As he said 10 his speech last Saturday,
at the unveiling OF the Rush statue, all
he asks from the subordinates OF the
government Is "decency and efficiency.
The charges are that the iiie- preservers
on the Slocum were rotten aud wort hiess !;
that the iife- boats could not be lowered ;
that the pumps would not work; that the
old steamer was but a tinderbox OF wood !;
that there was no discipline among the
crew aud that the inspectors were corrupt.
All these matters 1t is the duty Of the
Is inefficieucy In the inspectors office In
New York the world wants to know IT.
IL Is extremely difficult to keep track OF
Secretary Uorteiyou, aud the promotions
which be has In view. His department
hes absorbed so many bureaus, and work
is piltng up so fast, and be IL so popular
and In such constant demand, that he has
had to resort to sandwiches aud express
trains. to keep up with the flood OF bust
ness.
A few days ago he was 10 New England
and Canada, inspecting immigrant sta
tions. He hurried back to this city to
find that the National Republican COM
mittee wants him Ia Chicago.
Then came the awful disaster In New
York, and the President sent him post
haste to that city, to conduct the investi-
CATION. At the same time came the news
OF the collapse OF the postmaster general
at Chicago, with a prospect Of q speedy
vacancy In the cabinet, for which Mr..
Cortelyou is slated.
With few exceptions all excursion
steamships plying upon the inland waters
OF this country, even on the Potomac
from Washington to Norfolk, are mere
IRE traps likely at any time to be
destroyed, as was the Slocum In New
York. A telegram from Gen. Dumont.
inspector In New York, to the depart
ment Of commerce and labor In this city,
stated that "the loss of life is sonnet hing
less than 200". 1t was known In New
York, on Thursday afternoon, that $40
people had lost their lives, and enough
were missing to bring the total up to a
| round 1000.
The secretary OF the treasury was con-
tident that on the 18th inst. the commits
sioners OF the st. Louis fair would pay
over to the United States the sum OF
$4,000 as the first iustallmsnt Of the re-
funding OF the 70, 100000 loaned by the
government. On and after July Is, there
must be a semi. monthiy payment of
$500
The attendance of those who paid
admissions has thus far been very small,
averaging only about 10000 per day. The
great prosperity OF the country, and the
fall In the price OF the necessaries OF life,
| as shown by recent official reports, will
undoubtedly induce many thousands to
visit the fair later In the season.