Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-07
Thursday, Sept. 2, 1905.
WASHINGTON Letter.
(FRoM OUR REGULAR CoRREsPoNDENT.)
Saturday, September 2, 1908.

Saturday, OepteIlper z, Iooo'
This is the time of year that is known
as the SILLY season. but it has never
been more deserving of the title than
in the past two days when the talk of a
third term for President Roosevelt has
been revived on the strength Of the
congratulations that are pouring in on
him from crowned heads and from all
quarters of the globe for the work that
he did in bringing the japanese and
Russian Peace ENJOYS together. But
all that is necessary to still this talk is
to turn to the Presidents positive state.
ment made after the returns came from
the election last November. He said
at that time in as uumstakable Eng
llsh as man can use, that he intended
to regard the substance and not the let
ter of the unwritten law which restrict.
ed President to two terms, and that
he would under no circumstances be a
candidate for reelection. 1t would be
breaking his word which is a thing no
one either friend or enemy would ex-
pect of him, to go back on that state
ment. And so The silly season story
may be laid at rest.
There is a general movement on foot
however, to give the President a great
welcome back to Washington when he
comes home. This will be merely an
informal affair and consist in crowd
of citizens. which probably will include
nearly all the residents of Washington,
meeting him at the depot and escorting
him to the White House. 1t is thor
oughly democratic, and spontaneous
sort of welcome, but it is one that Pres.
ident Roosevelt is the man to appreci-
ate.
1t was learned at the State Depart
ment today that Edward Russ, the de-
partmeut's chief penman, had started
for Portsmouth with supply of pens.
ink and parchment such as are used in
engrossing treaties. This is taken to
mean that the work of signing the trea
ty as we'll as engrossing it will be done
either at Portsmouth or Oyster Bay.
So it may be known to history as the
Treaty of Portsmouth or the treaty Of
Sycamore Hill but it is not likely to
be known as the treaty of Washington
as was originally intended. If this is
so, it will not be much out of like with
precedent, for Utrech, Client, Tilsit and
several other places where important
treaties were signed, where as little
known to the outside world when they
became famous through their treaties
as was Portsm outh, N. H., when the
ENJOYS met there.
A very important meeting has been
held in Washington in connection with
the Panama Canal. 1t will be remem-
bered that the question of sea level
or a lock has been left unsettled from
the beginning of the work. Also the
President some time ago decided on the
appointment of board of consulting
engineers who should pass on impor-
tant questions in the canals construc-
ton. This board includes some of the
most noted names in the world, engi-
neers of the United States Army, the
consulting engineer Of the Sue2 Canal
and engineers appointed at the request
of the United States government by
the governments of England, France,
Germany and the Netherlands. This
board has not yet done anything def
mite but it is expected to have report
ready for transmission to Congress by
the time that body meets that will set.
tie definitely the question Of a lock or
a sea. level waterway. 1t is though full
time that this important question
should be settled, as it will make
difference of several years in the COM
rletion of the canal.
The Lighthouse board has again de-
cided to try the experiment OF putting
a lighthouse on the Diamond Sboal.
This hap for years been considered the
graveyard OF the Atlantic and owing
to the shifting nature Of the bottom 1t
has been impossible ever to get a
foundation for a fixed light. Plans
haYe been submitted however by
company that proposed to sink steel
cofferdam filled with stones and cement
which it thinks will meet the require
ments. The work will cost $4,000
and must stand a years tia. before the
money is paid.