The Press., 1904-01-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington. January 9. 1904

The political situation is calm, but
advancing. On the 7th inst. Senator
Morgan began speech regarding Pan
anna, in reply to Senator Lodge. He
, claimed that the revolution was as
sisted by officers and citizens of the
United States. He would refuse to
ratify any treaty until the contract
with the Panama Canal company is
completed. The committee on for
eign relations is daily considering the
treaty, and the republicans announce
their willingness to amend it if de-
sirable
Senator Morgan's contention that
the revolution in Panama is pinch
beck revolt, and that whatever dissat-
isfaction there was resulted from all
illegal conspiracy, in which the pres
ident took part, is vigorously opposed
and even esented by Lodge, Spooner,
Fairbanks and other senators, who
insist that the administration is
blameless in the affair, and quote
precedents to abundantly justify him.
The Boston Anti -Imperialist league
has sent q committee here to take a
hand.
Reports of the big Mcclellan din
ner in New York on the 4th cheered
the democrats in Washington, but
caused division of sentiment over
the list of proposed presidential can
didates. There are those who con-
slider Mr.. Cleveland's declination as
final. At dinner given to Senator
Platt of New York by the republican
delegation from his state, on the 9Th,
Congressman Payne rejoiced at repub-
lican harmony; Senator Depew was
as optimistic as always after good
dinner, and Senator Platt warned his
hearers that the democratic party was
becoming sane, and therefore was in
a dangerous condition. He gave the
president credit for a wise and strong
government, and had good word for
the Panama canal. Senator Quarles
of Wisconsin, after a tour of the
southern states, announces that the
best element regards the canal as a
commercial enterprise and is solid1y
in favor of it. Thus far but two
southern senators have been instructed
to vote for the treaty-those from
Louisiana.
The post Office frauds again attract
attention, and the trial of Machen,
and number of others, charged with
conspiring to defraud the United
States in connection with the pur-
chase of supplies, began in the crimi-
nal court on the 18th inst. Perry
Heath will be one of the witnesses,
and great interest is manifested. An
effort is being made to have congress
investigate the whole matter. f-
In the supreme court, on the 7th
inst, argument was begun by the at
torney general of Minnesota on behalf
of his state against the merger of the
northwestern railways. He held that
it would create a monopoly; that it
was against the laws of Minnesota
and the inter state commerce laws,
and injured the proprietary rights of
the state. u. s. Senator Dietrich of
Nebraska is on trial for bribery, and
Ex- Congressman briggs of New York
has just been convicted of the same
offense and will 60 to prison.
Congress will pass bill appropri-
ating large sum of money to inves-
tigate the cotton boil weevil,' which
destroyed so much of the crop in
Texas. The census bureau announces
that up to Dec. 13, 1908, the number
of bales of cotton ginned in the south
was 8, 848, TAT. In view of this fact
the department. of agriculture admits
that its estimates of the last crop were
too high. DR.. Wiley. the agricultu-
raj chemist, has been urging congress
to make his bureau one of foods also.
He says that last year so cargoes of
German wines were turned back be-
cause the wine contained salicylic
acid. Much other impure food from
Europe was also refused. Congress
hesitates to give one man the power
to say what food stuffs may or may
not be imported into America.
A report from the library of con-
gress announces that the building is
already over-crowded, although it was
erected with view of meeting the
wants of century. The daily visit
ors number about 2, 500.
On the 18th inst. there will be a
great meeting in the interest of peace
and arbitration, at the Lafayette
opera house here. Eminent men from
all parts of the country will be pres
ent, and the speakers announced in
clude Andrew Carnegie, Cardinal Glib
bons, Rabbi Hirsch, the presidents of
Princeton and Columbia colleges, Gov.
Durbin of Indiana, Rev. E. E. Hale,
and Clark Howell of Atlanta.
Although there will be special
meeting of the American hierarchy of
the Catholic church in Washington
on the 31st inst, it is denied that
Cardinal Gibbons is to be elected pri-
mate of all America.
Thursday evening, the 7th inst,
the president gave notable reception
to the diplomatic corps. All the na-
tions except Colombia were represent
ed. Three thousand invitations were
issued to the most prominent people
in the land, and the crowd was so
great many had to wait in line for an
hour, while some left unable to get
in. The supreme court was present,
also senators, representatives, the cab
met and officers of the army and
navy. Mrs. Roosevelt wore white,
as usual, and some of the ladies wore
coronets Of diamonds. Lady Durand
OF the British embassy was in purple
velvet.