Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-01-18
Thursday, Jan. Is, 1906.
Washington Letter.
(FRoM OUR REG ULAR CoRREsPoNDENT.)
Saturday, January ID, 1906.

Saturday, January l3. 1906.
Few Congresses in recent years have
had more business on hand with pros
pect of accomplishing so little. The
Waite House and the Capitol are al
loggerheads. Members who have beer
swept into Congress on the Roosevelt
tidal election wave are angry because
he does not know them by name or his
tory and is not showing patronage al
them in the way of Postoliices, consul
ships, collectorships, judgships and ev-
erything supposed to be in the exhaust
less cornucopia Of Executive dispense
ton. The President was never popu-
lar with Senators and Members. His
popularity has, been entirely with the
people and it is an element of weak
ness SO far as his influence with Con-
gress Is concerned that he must in &C
cordance with his oft eriterated state
ment leave the White House with his
present term.
Nevertheless much will be acco M
plished in spite Of obstruction and mis-
representation.
The State CT New York which has a
population of 100000 and. wealth far
in excess Of any state in The Union has
had no representative in the Senate
sincesthe holiday opening Of Congress.
ITS two Senators, Platt and Depew are
Scented by i'll health from attending
the sessions and it is not known when
they will be able to take their places
in the Senate Chamber. Senator Platt
with his new wife is at Virginia Hot
Springs, looking in vain for the foun-
tain of youth, He is palsied with age
and he is so feeble that he caunot walk
about unsupported.
The situation with Senator Dope W
is scarcely more agreeable. Instead Of
the triumphant, jovial Depew OF old he
is now a man broken in health and
spirit by the revelations Of the New
York Insurance companies which have
placed him in such a Questionable ligh
before the public. When he WAS in
Washington early in the winter it was
observed that he did not 90 to the clubs
nor did he accept dinner invitations
both Of which have always been among
his greatest pleasures. On tie floor Of
the Senate be was restless and i'll at ease
and he was no longer among the cloak
room loungers exchanging anecdotes
and jokes. His gift of ready repartee
had failed and his appearance had 81
changed that it was remarked by eyer
those who knew him only casually. Hl'
condition is regarded as pathetic by hl'
friends who argue that the disgrace /
such it ia which has fallen upon him il
shared by Senator Platt and David b
Hill who are equally culpable. Thu
public refuses to look at it that VA.
though, and while the sentiment in ia
vor of his resignation from the Senate
is not strong it argues that his cas-
stands by itself. Senator Depew Is no
and never has been lawyer and tina
he should haye rccepted twenty thous
and dollars year as retainer iron
the Equitable Life is to put it mildly
"queer.'
AS for Senator Plat and his connec
ton with the corporation no surprise
felt. No one had ever accused him 0
entertaining high ideals and his recor'
as the Senatorial representative of tn
Express Companies of the country is s
we'll known as to make impossible an
surprises as to the sources of the re
mainder of his income. The publ
accepts him at his own estimate of him
self and when he admitted frankly o
the stand that he had collected and &C
cepted contributions from the Insur
ance Corporations no one was shocke
or surprised.
David B. Hills connection with tn
case may by a little imagination b
made to appear quite legitimate. II
is lawyer Of distinction and out {
politics. Five thousand year is nc
more than a great corporation may lie
ultimately pay it's legal representative
This at least is the verdict of prom
The Grip
n L T.,