The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-01-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Jan. 81, 1905.
The transitory nature of things in
general manifests itself in the govern
mental affairs of the United States. as
we'll as elsewhere. One needs but ex-
anime into the records of the various
departments and bureaus Of our gov
eminent to discover that the hand of
Time is constantly removing, by death
and otherwise, the public officials of
Uncle Sam. While the general plan of
our government and the avowed prin-
ciples under which 1t operates are ap-
proxlmately Of departmental manage
ment are obviously ephemeral Points
illustrating these facts may be found in
the recent ablishment of various adj
ditional bureaus and departments, I'M
known until q few years ago Again
the constant changes by resignation,
death and removal Of department. Off
cials that are constantly transpiring is
illustrated in the resignation of Com
missioner of Pensions, M. e. F. Ware,
of Kansas, and Mr. j. L. Bristow,
Fourth Assistant Post Master General,
followed by Vespasian Warner, con-
gresham from the 10Th district of Him
OILS, and a veteran of the Civil war.
General Bristow, because of his prom
inence in the late postal Investigations
and by reason of his close connection
with the more practical branches of
the postal service, the superintendent
of the rural free delivery service and
the appointment and removal of post
masters has been regarded as almost an
indispensable adjunct to the post Office
department He infused into that
branch of the service which came under
his supervision much efficiency and
& moral force. His resignation came
about through dissatisfaction with the
procedure of Acting Post Master, Gen
< eral, r. j. Wynne, in making certain
changes in Mr.. Bristow's department.
The House on Wednesday of this
week voted to impeach Judge Swayne.
federal jugde for tie southern district
of Florida. Twenty-four republicans
and the entire minority votes were re-
corded for impeachment. The debate
in the House waxed intense and re
I ordinations and counterrecrimination
were INDUCED in. Some of the consti-
tutionai lawyers of the Senate are now
considering the legality Of postponing
the trial of Judge Swayne until the
next session Of congress; but such au-
thorities on matters of jurispru dence as
John G. Spooner and o. H. Plat hod
\ the opinion that this would be without
the sanction of precedent. II is there
fore mt best to try the case as soon
as posslp1e. and it will probably come
to trial within a f days.
1t is reported 1.-THE widespread ag-
itation of the question of rebates and
determinations in rates of railroads
and transportation companies and an
enlargement of the powers of the Inter
state Commerce Commission is to have
tangible results in bill to be introduce
ed today by Congressman Hepburn, of
Iowa, chairman of the committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
This bill provides for increasing the
power of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, and for the establishment Of
court Of nine judges, to be assigned by
the chief justice of the Supreme Court,
which is to pass upon the reasonable
ness of rates at q given time and place.
Numerous bills have been introduced
in Congress along this line. OF these
perhaps the most widely known is the
. Quarles Cooper bill. Congressman Hau-
gen. OF Iowa, recently introduced bill
which has many meritorious features.
The Hepburn bill is reported to be more
conservative than of the other bills in
troduced along this line, and therefore,
perhaps, stands a better show of pas
sage. The president is deeply interest
\