The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-03-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.

enforce the law. Naturally the Execu-
tive, who has often been charged with
being unsafe" and called trust
BUSTER" is disposed, upon the eve of a
Presidential election, to pursue a mild
and middle course which will have the
tendency to allay the fears of Wall street
and those who control vested great inter-
ests. On the other hand the radicals,
with hot display of consistency, and
decision for backing, demand that the
Attorney General shall at once proceed
to enforce the law against all illegal COM
binations. And the statement is made
that there are thousands of them. This
will be the cry of those opposed to the
Administration, there is no doubt, and
the public must make allowances for the
unprecedented situation. It is a little
curious that the Democrats on the Su-
preme bench were against the decision
which was handed down, and the Repub-
licans were in favor of it. And now while
the Republican administration proposes
to let the whole matter sleep, the Demo
Gratis are active for prompt prosecutions
In any event it is expected that the de-
cision will have wholesome effect in
lettering other Captains of Industry
from forming illegal trusts; and it is
agreed that the moral effect of the decis-
ion alone will prove TO be potent factor
in favor of fair play and the supremacy of
the law. This, at least, is a popular
triumph; and if the Government can
bring other wrong doers to the bar, SO
much the better for them.
~
It begins to look as if Congress might
adjourn some time in April. Appropria-
ton bills are being showed along rapidly.
The ship-subsidy bill and the service.
pension bill are practically out of the way,
the latter having been rendered unneces-
sary by Commissioner Wares executive
Interpretation of the law whereby veter-
ans over 62 are to be given pensions on
the ground of age alone. The labor bills
championed by Mitchell and Gompers
will die in committee. The tumult caused
by Bristow's report imputing illegal and
improper conduct to many Congressman
is still heard but is slowly subsiding. The
question of Senator Shoots right to
seat will go over till next Fall, it being
felt that decision against Smoot now
would jeopardize the electoral vote in two
or three states.
~
Representative Babcock, Rep, Wis
consin, will probably lead his party CO.
horts again as manager in the Congress
sional campaign, and either Criggs of
Georgia, or Cowherd of Missouri, will
render the same service to the Demo.
Gratis. Out of a membership of 3S6 in the
House the Republicans have a majority
of "a. To gain control the Democrats
must bold all the seats they now have
and IS in addition. There are ID Repub-
licans who have majorities of less than
1000; and there are IS Democrats whose
majorities were less than 1000 at the last
election. This state of things insures
very lively contest in November.
~
Governor War6eld, of Maryland, per-
sists in his determination to veto the bill
DISTINGUISHING negroes; but he has signed
the Jim Crow" bill for separate cars.
This last concession is said to be in the
interest of German, as the other was
against his purposes.
~
Secretary Taft strongly urges the build.
ing of seven or eight hundred miles of
railroad in the Philippine Islands at cost
of $40, ooo,o 600. He says they are for the
purpose of developing trade and chiefly
for the benefit of the Filipinos. But he
is opposed to the United States govern
ment building the roads, and in every
speech be makes summons capitalists to
come forward and put up their money.
This they refuse to do, as usual unless
our government will guarantee divi-
dend on the investment. In order to help
these needy capitalists Congressman
Cooper has introduced bill providing
for guaranty of four per cent on the
investment of forty millions. Two hun
dred Filipino boys have been brought 10
this country to go to school and college,
and another hundred are on their way,
The money to support them is taken from
the Philippine treasury.
~
The drinking water of Washington is
now about the color of strong coffee. DR..
Wiley who runs the Salioylic Acid H.
Urinary, says Potomac water is about