The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-03-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.


of the readers of my Washington
letters I shall not dwell at great
length upon description of the
Inauguration of President Roose-
welt. This has been done by near
ly all Of the daily papers in the
country, as we'll as by most ofthe
magazines and other periodicals,
and hence there are few, indeed,
who have not had an opportunity
to inform themselves fully as to
the exact nature and extent OF
this remarkable pageant. Those
who witnessed the scene bid the
world go on-let festivals, conven-
tions and coronations punctuate
its progress; they have seen the
congregation of one of the vastest
concourses of human beings ever
assembled to lend its presence to
any fete or demonstration; they
have stood on Capitol hill at
Washington and gazed upon acres
of people, standingin a solid body,
with scarcely space enough be-
tween them to raise an arm or to
turn hand. At the east central
entrance to the capitol a great
temporary structure had been
erected in the shape of an amphi
theatre, with seating capacity for
thousands of people. The seats
converged toa central point to-
ward the east, where on slightly
elevated platform was placed a
rostrum with stand and chairs.
and surrounded by railing, at
which point the ceremony of the
Inauguration was performed. Be-
yond this to the east stretched the
great body Of spectators. whose
aggregate it would be difficult to
estimate. All available space in
windows, doors and on roofs and
porticos was utilized by eager and
interested onlookers. The day
was unusually bright, and the pop
ulace turned out in unprecedented
numbers. 1t would be idle to
speculate as to the number in at
tendance. but when it is said that
for more than mile and a half
along the line Of the parade the
street on both sides was lined
with compact body of people
from thirty to forty feet deep, and
that windows, doors and roofs
were at a premium, some notion
of the character Of the demonstra-
ton can be formed. The parade,
which lasted most of the after
noon, was composed of a success
sion of military detachments and
civic clubs, and it is said to have
surpassed in pomp and novelty all
previous inaugural professions.
But pursuant with my promise
made at the outset Of this letter l
shall not linger with details and
phrases which have already been
worn threadbare by usage in this
connection. The ffty-eighth Con-
gress has passed into history, and
one naturally glances back to see
what has been its work. 1t was
not characterized by drastic &C
ton, but was trying to meet the
ordeal of dealing with an aroused
public sentiment in a manner that
would stand the test Of time after
the heat of conflict had subsidized.
This is one of the most trying po-
sitions in all the evolutions of po-
litical phenomena. Discovering
an evil is one thing; removing it
is another. The former is often
simple process. The latters
sometimes exhausts the resource
and the genius of the most astute
and accomplished legislator. The
rate bill and tariff revision are
questions which have been press
ed for attention during the session
Of Congress just passed. Both are
questions which affect extensive
interests and diverse industries,
Neither can be dealt with wisely
and safely without careful and pa
tient consideration ofthe indus
trial needs and rights Of all con-
cerned. The methods of John
Brown only impede the progress
Of real and effective reform.
While it is generally regretted
that the rate bill failed to pass the
Senate at this session the opinion
exists that the delay will result in
more perfect and effective legisla
ton when once it comes forth
from the legislative hopper.
| The Gftv ninth ConUrasc is diff