The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-04-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Mexican a ambassador Dies as the Result of
Exposure-Senate Fails TO Pass San
Domingo Treaty-Other Items of
Interest from National Capital.
The committee of Interstate COM
merce will, it is announced, hold It's
sessions in W ashington, beginning
about the middle of April, to consider
the subject of railway rate legislation,
which was dismissed without ac-
ton at the close OF the regular ses-
sion. Several members of this com
mittee are among those who will sail
in July with Secretary Taft's party
for an investigation Of conditions in
the Philippines, SO it is not likely that
they will consume many weeks in the
discussion OF railroad rates.
The triennial convention of the
Mothers Congress held in Washing
ton has come to close and al Of
these National Mothers have returned
TO their homes again and become for
the most part just plain, ordinary
mothers once more. A number of them
have decided to remain over in Wash
ington until April, when the Daughters
of the American Revolution will hold
their annual congress, for many of
the Mothers are also Daughters, and
the capital will thus not be deprived
entirely OF the spiritual influence and
protection of these women org anized
as societies for the prevention and
promotion of everything. The ses-
sions of the congress here were most
successful. A number Of speakers of
national reputation addressed them,
the feature, of course, being the ad-
dress of President Roosevelt, which
has been quoted broadcast in this
country and Europe. The French and
German ambassadors and the Japan
csc minister addressed the convention
and gave descriptions of the condi-
tions affecting children in their coun-
tries
y
i'll great part of the winter with bron-
chial trouble, decided on the advice Of
his physician to take long sea voyage
this spring. Mr.. LOOMS, the first as
sistant secretary OF state, who is also
away for the benefit Of his health, will
not return to w Washington unUil April
third. After the president leaves for
his trip through the southwest any
business of the state department out
side of the routine work will be re-
ferred to Secretary Taft, and as Mr..
Hay will return before Secretary Taft
leaves on his Philippine trip the de-
partment will not be left without a
head. The leaving Of Secretary 7 aft in
charge of the state department is
probably done with a view of avoid
relations with other governments in
which inexperience in the conduct of
the state department might involve US.
The president will leave on his trip
TO the southwest next Monday aud
nobody who knows him will doubt
that he is eager for the change
from weddings, dinners, and cabinet
meetings, from paved streets and flags
and the tipping of many hats, from a
dress coat and set smile, to the
idyllie woods and the society of the
cowboy, where a s.hiled'' shirt and a
razor have never penetrated. There
with mustang and his gun he can
WOO forgetfulness OF that balky steed.
congress, which has tried his patience
for three and half long months.
The inaugural ceremonies held on
the fourth of March have claimed
another distin gnished victim in Don
Manuel de Azpiroz, the Mexican am
bassador to this country. While on
the east front OF the capitol during
the Inauguration the ambassador was
taken with chill and last Saturday
lle passed away. Senator Bate, Of
Tennessee, died few days after the
inauguration as result of exposure
on that Indictment day, and the pros
tration of Secretary of State Hay is
attrl buted to the same cause. A num-
Der of prominent men, among them
Senator Foster, of Louisiana, expert
enced severe and confning attacks of
grippe after Inauguration day and the
number OF less conspicuous victims of
exposure will never be known The
sacrifice of lives on this occasion
should at least have the benefit OF pre-
venting another Inauguration as early
in the season as the fourth of March.
IN times of war men may die gladly
for their country, but it is criminal
to claim martyrs in times of peace
and rejoicing. Congress should be
compelled by the people at no matter
what cost to its Incidence TO change the
date to April thirtieth, the date upon
which w ashington took the oath of
Office and which could almost with a
certainty be counted upon to produce
weather which would offer no menace
to the health and lives of the great
crowds who are subject to exposure
on Inauguration day.
Ambassador Azpiroz was the first
ambassador from Mexico to the United
States. Until 1899 the country had