The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1906-02-09
LETTER FROM
WASHlNGT
The Courant's special Correspon-
dent details the doings Of the
Nations Law-Makers. Items
of Interest to All.


both surreptitious and avowod. Those
who are opposed to extreme measures
in the question Of railway rate legis-
lation are popularity supposed to be
guarding the interests Of railway cor
porations; while those VINO advocate
radical action are generally regarded
as friends Of the people. The Dolliv-
er bill contains clause which if en-
acted will insure preiodical investiga-
tion by government officials of the ac-
counts of railway companies. This
is calculated to preclude misrepresen
tation on the part Of the companies,
in the adjustment of rates to profits,
operating expenses, income. capital
ization, etc. There seems to be an
impression abroad that the real fnan-t
cial operations and annual dividends
and profits Of these corporations are
withheld from the public with view
to improperly adjusting rates and
charges. Some color to this assump-
ton comes from the energetic, though
belated and abortive, activity of Con-
gresham Dalzell in attempting to cir
cumvent the adoption of a resolution
in the House calling for an investiga-
-tion of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The government has been active Of
late looking into and prosecuting rail-
way companies on the charge of grant
ing rebates. and discriminating
:againts certain shippers. The discuss
ions in the House during the past
week have been uniformly in favor of
the presidents policy in this matter.
with one or two exceptions The
Hepburn Bill was reported by the
Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce unanimously, which is a
remarkable endorsement of the Iowa
member. The bill contains some mi
nor amendments, taken from, the large
number Of rate bills thatssJ1asa been
introduced into the House: but the
main portions of it is identical with
the provisions of the Hepburn Bill as
originally introduced into the House.
The Lodge Bill passed the senate
this week. It provides for the im'
provelnent of the American consular
service. The new system will be
more harmonious and efficient than
the old, or present plan. It is propos-
ed to grade the Offices, and to make
promotions from time to time to the
higher grades from those below, in
stead of filling the better places with
political henchmen. It also contains
a provision requiring all consular
clerks to be Americans This bill will
elevate or consular service to a posi- :
tion of greater dignity and efficiency
than it has held up to this time, al
though the service now contains many
capable and excellent officials, who
will form the nucleus about which
will be built up system of superior
consular service.
Something Of a sensation occurred
in the Senate this week when Senator
Patterson. life long democrat. from
Colorado. lauded President Roosevelt
in unstinted measures, and endorsed
his foreign policy in many particu-
lars. He melted the anger of his col
leagues by his remarks. and they ex-
pressed their disapproval BY leaving
the chamber almost to a man. His
colleague, Senator Teller, who was
long a republican prior to the silver
sentiment Of 1895, might have indulg-
ed in such undemocratic antics with
out arousing the INDIGNATION caused by
the panegy1ic Of Patterson. Some
secret family griefs will culminate in
the democratic caucus to be held soon,
when some strignent rules will prob
ably be passed with reference to unity
faction on the part of democrats in the
future, with the penalty Of political
ostracism attached. - 4 zs.8
The popularity of the President lie
often alleged as the secret Of his pow
er over Congress in bringing to q sue
cessful issue his contentious for GER
tain legislative action. For time
J this force was thought to be diminish
ing; in view Of some steps taken BY
the Chief executive; but later develop
ements seem to indicate that bis hold
npon the people has not weakened, but
is rather stronger than ever before.
This leverage will probably insure ac-
tion on the part Of senators, who US
ually defy all interference with the
calm and deliberate treatment which
they usually accord all questions com
ing within their province While not
ordinarily immed lately responsive to