The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-03-25
Washington Letter.
The,Merger Decision--To Investi.
gate Congressmen-A National
Marksmen's Reserve
Among the Secretar-
les.

From Our, Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. O., March II, 1904
Republican statesmen are generally
agreed that the practical, as well as
the political effect OF the decision Of
the Supreme Court made public on
the l4th inst, in the case Of the
Government against the Northern
Securities Compa1y. will be good.
Stocks have been but little disturbed
by It: and the managers and owners
Of the railroads involved Ia the con-
troversy, announce that they intend
TO faithfully obey the law as 1t stands.
The decision is u blow only against
unreasonable restraint OF trade" as
the result of smothering flee cOMpeti-
tion; and it is an application Of the
much talked Of government by in
junction" to trust as well as against
labor organizations, and as such
should ren,:eT organized labor less
sensitive. In laying down the, rule
that law is supreme; that 1t must be
enforced: that the people must be
protected; aud that state may not
create corporation which can disre-
gard a constitutional act of Congress,
the Court has cleared the atmosphere
of much uncertainty and doubt, end
ing formidable controversy which
threatened the peace Of society.
! This, having been accomplished
! under a Republican President, In
effect deprivcs the Democrats OF
much stock in trade for the coming
campaign. With this decision to its
credit, with many otter things for
the public welfare accomplished, the
Republican party goes before the
people with renewed confidence.
The Mccall committee authorized
| to investigate the charges against
] congressman, made in the Bristow
| report, Is hard at work. and being
non-partisan, has the confidence Of
both parties aud the people. There
was much reason why members OF
Congress should feel sensitive over
I: the revelations laid before the country
| even II they had not violated the law.
At least the ethics Of their relation
ship with an executive department.
needed to he more precisely defined.
1t will be a good thing for all con-
cerned when the Post Office depart
ment and all the other seven Depart
ments are taken out Of politics, and
Congressman have no occasion to
make recommendations and sugges-
ti1ns, or quarrel over sp0ils. There
! is growing feeling that new condi
tions must prevail, and that the
representatives OF the people. should
give more attention to legislative
matters. AS one of the results of the
pending investigation there may be a
redistribution OF duties in the Post
Office Department., and Mr.. Wynne
Assistant p. NJ. General may be
relieved o: much of the work, which
now falls to him. ss.s
| fNho Dro,;Iant h0c infonftnn NJ
pushing things against the trusts, ol
disturbing existing economical con.
ditions. Attorney General Knox will
proceed slowly and with caution.
| The President has felt Obliged u
decline invitations to see the battle
ship Virginia launched in April, and
to address the general assembly o
the Presbyterian church, in Buffalo
in May. Besides the Regular Army
and the National Guard. the Presi
! dent says he would be glad to see 4
"third line of defense' for the natior
to be known as the National Marks
mems Reserve. He would like to SET
rifle club in every city, town, vii
lage and hamlet. The proposition i.
to have Congress authorize the ISSUE
of government arms to civilian riflt
clubs. In a few years this plar
should give a reserve force of zoo, o0t
men.
The two Cabinet Secretaries whit
are talking most to the people al
present are Taft and Cortelyou. Fo
man of his size Secrtary Taft coyer
much ground. On Memorial day h
will speak at Topeka, Kansas. Sec
retary Cortelyou has just spoken L
the Merchants clnh Of Chicago, whc'