The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-03-01
WASHINGTON LETTER,
WAsHINGToN, D. c., Feb. Is, o:

~
The week Immediately preced-
ing the closing week of the Fifty
eighth Congress passed away in
comparative monotony. Routine
bills, the naval appropriation, and
others devoid of special interest
or novelty, have engaged the at
tention of Congress. The Swayne
impeachment trial still lags in the
Senate. Senatorial prerogative,
and the admissablility of Judge
Swayne's own voluntary testi-
mony before the house committee,
seem to be the principal issues.
While on the surface political
affairs are without striking feat
ures at this time, yet there is no
period of the year when the silent
forces of dynamic and construc-
tive, craftsmanship are not work.
ing out some plan or policy: land
hence to the close observer all
time, politically speaking, is
fraught with abiding interest and
significance. The recent acquisi-
ton of the Panama railroad is
productive of considerable discus
sion and usually of satisfaction.
Senators German and Baily, as
we'll as others of the minority,
have expressed their approval Of
the action Of the government in
securing title to this property,
but clearly and carefullydisclaim :
ing belief in the principle of
government ownership Of rail.
ways generally. The probable
failure Of the Senate to pass a
railway rate bill at this session
may result in an extension of the
doctrine of government owner
ship of the railways, because of
the fact that the idea seems to be
gaining ground that railroad in :
fuence is responsible for this de
lay in the production oflegislative
relief for those suffering from ex
cessive rates and determinations
at the hands of common carriers.
Certain extremists regard it as a
question of alternatives between
government ownership of railways
and railway ownership of govern
ment. 1t is highly improbable
however, that the delay of the
Senate is the result of the railway
opposition. 1t may rather be as
cribed to the traditional and in
herent elaboration characteristic
of that body, and to the necessity
of devoting a portion of this ses
sion to the trial of Judge Swayne
Then too the statehood bill has
been disposed of by the Senate
after many years of deliber
alton, although there is scan
probability of its acceptance b,
the House in the form in which
it passed the Senate.
] That notorious Brooklynite
Robert Baker, was seized by an
other spasm of protest a few day
ago. He wanted to introduce il
Congress a resolution declaring
the action OF President Roosevelt
in expressing sympathy with thu
Russian government on the los
of Duke Sergius, recently assas
sinated at Moscow, to be out o
harmony with the sentiment o
the American people. He insist
ed that the late killing BY
Russian troops of laborers wh'
came to petition the Gar for re
lief was equally deserving Of
note of coincidence, evidently
forgetting the fact, or being un
conscious of it, that failure te
send the message mentioned or
the death Of a member of tn,
Russian Cabinet would not be il
accord with the practice of ma
tions, and it would probably b.
construed as almost a breach o
amity.
The arrival OF inaugural ion Wis
itors has alreadyset in, and hotel
have taken cognizance of the fac
by advancing their rates about on
hundred per cent more Or less
M any Of the visitors, deemlng tn
occasion on appropriate one, Wis
tied Mt Vernon, Washington
oldh ONE, on the 22nd of Febru
airy the birthday Of 1.-THE Fathe
of his Country" The old estat
reached either by car or by steam
boat. The old mansion" i
in an excellent state of preserva
ton, as are also the numerou
other buildings on the premises
The location is ideal, being on
high bluff overlooking the Poto
mac whose broad waters sweep il