St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-03-28
Our Washington Letter.
Continued from I'd Page.


fourths pay. they would be simply sur.
prised at the amount He reminded
congressman that if clerks had claims,
much more had many of their con
stituents at home of Overt 10 years of age,
who had small salaries and were nc
more able to help support the dead tim.
Der in the public service than the clerks
were OF supporting themselves. In re.
gard to old soldiers, he thought that by
1912 very few OF them would be lett in
the service. He felt that an appropria-
ton of 100000 year for men not
giving an equivalent, demanded some
remedy; perhaps this was not the best
one, but if they could devise better one,
an amendment could be framed. The
committee had wrestled with the ques.
ton for years and would be glad to have
Congress suggest a more effective
method.
The House adjourned Wednesday,
March 81, after passing resolutions of
regret on account OF the sudden death of
Representative George R. Patter.
son of Pennsylvania from heart
trouble. He had just returned from a
visit to his wife at his home. Representa-
tive Foster of Vermont was appointed
to be among those to ATTEND his funeral.
On Thursday Representative Dalzell of
the committee on rules moved that the
statehood bill be taken from the table,
that the amendments OF the senate
should not be accepted, but conference
should be asked. The vote as first taken
was carried by 149 to 1875 votes with
~ tho co-oolIaA
voting with the Democrats. When the
record was called for, the second vote
stood III to 40 for the motion.
Representative Dazell told how the bill
could be treated in three ways: First
by reference to the committee on terri
tories, second by unanimous consent, or
by the special rule sending it to con err.
ence; as unanimous consent was i'm
possible, they adopted the special rule.
There were 40 amendments made by the
Senate. One was dropping the two
territories from the bill, Arizona and
New Mexico. Mr.. Humphrey of Wash
ington objected to the special rule as
coerclng some of the Republicans to vote
against their convictions. Among the
speakers was Mr.. Foster OF Vermont,
W w DNlISNSu III sustaining luC IuIG. MT.
Babcock who headed the insurgents,
considered it an innovation and pre-
dicted it would be buried in conference,
while Mr.. Grosvenor did not believe such
was their intention. The bill was sent
to the Senate and conferers were asked
for.
Mrs. Roosevelt in order to gain some
rest, since the social festivities are largely
over, and not having been very well tor
some time past, is planning to take a
little outing during the Lenten season.
She and her children, Miss Ethel, Archie
and Quentin and possibly Kermit, are
expecting to leave Washington next
week to be away 10 days or longer, but
intend to return before Easter. They are
to go to Florida and then go on board
the West Indies. Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth was the happy recipient of SO
different articles after they returned from
their wedding trip; some one termed
them debated wedding gifts" but they
were doubtless quite as acceptable.
In response to the request of the
President tor aid to help tue 100000
sufferers from famine in Japan, on
account of the failure OF the rice crop,
and OF the necessaries of life, The Chris
tian Herald OF New York city has sent
on contributions to the state depart
ment, amounting already to $50 900,
and the American Red Cross society has
received and cabled $4,000 for the
Japanese Red Cross to use TOR the starv
ing Japanese. The deep gratitude has
been very touchingly expressed in one of
their leading papers.
There were two able speeches made in
the Senate chamber on the Republican
side OF the house upon the railway rate
bill. The first by Senator Lodge OF
Massachusetts, and the second by
Senator Spooner OF Wisconsin. Senator
Lodge replied to Judge Prouty's speech
IN Boston and then addressed himself to
the economical side of the question
Boston, he said, was the second port Of
entry and this bill is of great Importance
to New England, New York and New
Jersey, which have sea coast. Massa
chusetts being a small state and
having but little land for agricultural
purposes. unlike most of the rich western
states with broad prairies, is largely
~HNhNNhC upOh HSl uldHuidNbullh6 III
dustres; consequently transportation is
an important matter. In her shoe in
dustrles she looks to the west for leather,
IN her cotton manufactures she is depend
ent upon the south for cotton, and to
Pennsylvania for coal and iron to carry
on those industries, ETC.; hence she
would be very seriously injured by any
unjust determinations or rates on the
railroads. For long period OF years
New England people have accumulated
their wealth by careful economy and
patient industry. They desire railroad
legislation, but with such varied in
dcustres they wish to be sure that those
interests are we'll safeguarded. This led
up to the explanation of his amendment
he emphasized the multifarious duties of
the present commission, which consisted
OF only five members: Martin A. Knapp,
chairman, Of New York, Judson c.
Clements of Georgia, Charles A. Prouty
OF Vermont, Joseph M. Filter of Illinois,
FRANCIS M. Cockrell of Missouri. BY his
amendment he would enlarge that COM
mission so the interstate commerce
commission should consist OF nine men,
oers; not more than FIVE of them OF one
party; three shall be lawyers; three
persons of experience in railroads, with
salaries of ten thousand, believe, and
sne chairman was to have $500 more.
lhls commission would WELD such