The National tribune., 1906-04-26

gines was SIS, as against IA in the pre-
ceding quarter and IL in the same quar-
ter one year ago. The injuries ia en-
ployes from this cause numbered $50,
as against SIT in the preceding quarter
and 232 for the same quarter one year
ago.
The total number of collisions and
derailments was 3,722 corr collisions
and 1916 derailmentS), of which 267
collisions and 1913 derailments affected
passeHge trains The damage TO cars,
engines and roadway by these accidents
amounted to S2.S1I.2S4.
Gen. Grecly, in command of the Army
of the Pacific Coast. was on his way
home to attend the marriage of his
daughter on the 24th, which was Of
great Importance in Army circles, when
he learned of the disaster in San Fran
cisco, and turned back at Chicago to
take command. Little Miss Greedy will
now have to hunt somebody else to
give her away on that day.
Another incident was that of a Mr..
Johnson. one of the wealthy men of
leisure of San Francisco. MIR. and Mrs.
Johnson We're on their way TO New
York to embark for Europe. waen
through the open window of the Pull
man sleeper Mr. Johnson heard the
newsboys crying their papers with ac-
count of q terrible disaster in san Fran
cisco. He bought the paper. and read
ing what had happened, they turned
their faces Immediately toward the set
ting sun again. He presumes that he
is beggared.
Lincoln Woman's Relief Corps, of the
Depa rtment of the Potomac. met the
night following the awful news from
tho Golden Gate, and appropriated $25
from its funds to send to the sufferers
Ii seems TO be not much, but is a great
d. al from so small Corps and Depart
ment. and if all Corps through the
country would do as well i'll proportion
a mighty fund would soon be raised
from the 5000 Corps.
Secretary Root has just received the
magnificent gold medal which was
struck by order of Congress in COM
memoration of the 200th anniversary
% the birth of Benjamin Franklin.
This was presented by the Secretary
Oh Friday in Philadelphia to Embassa-
dor Jusserand as the gift of the Amer
lean people to the people of France.
on its face the medal bears an ex
cellcnt profile likeness of Franklin and
the inscriptions: "Struck by act of Con-
gress of the United States to commence
rate the 200th anniversary of the birth
Of Benjamin Franklin"
The diverse presents a group of SYM
bolic figures representing history Teceiv-
ing Il record on a scroll of the services
and attainments of Franklin from liter
atUre, science and philosophy. The in
Scription is: Printer, philosopher, sci
enlist. statesman, diplomatist." The
medal was designed by ST. Gaudens.
4 resolution providing for the election
OF Senators by direct vote of the people
las been fayorably acted upon by the
House Committee on Election of Presi-
dent, Vice President and Representa-
tives i'll Congress. The resolution, which
was introduced by Mr.. Norris, of Ne
bI aska. makes the term of members of
the House four years instead of two.
Both propositions are to be accomplish
cd by amendments to the Constitution.
Reasons why the term of Representa-
tives should be four years are stated
to be because no party can inaugurate
its policy in two years.
The people are tired" the report
says. "of this continuous drama, and,
as result. are inclined to give no at
tcntion to the primaries and the con-
ventIOns-the very foundation of our
political systematic forum wherein the
country's interests can best be guarded
and protected.
with an election every two years the
political CRATER who thrives on partisan
strife and On the nervous uncertainty
controlling candidates for office is able
to live from one election to another by
the Doodle secured at his unholy busi-
ness. The adoption of the proposed
amendment would render il less po ssh
bic for this creature TO ply his trade"
Regarding the election of Senator'S by
Il 10 IN
sitior to provide for the election of
Senators by the direct vote of the people
has been before the House of Repre-
sentatives and mas received favorable
consideration on several different Oc-
casions. A proposition TO amend the
Constitution having this object in view
has passed the House of Representatives
at four .iiferent times, and each time
by Il practically unanimous vote"
The Watch Trust" came in for 4
basting in The House the other day, and
thereby hangs a tale. Representative
Ereelard. Of New York, wanted to make
speech Oh some phase OF the business,
just what is not pertinent to the story,
but is just the thread on which ii is
hung. Representative Vreeland loaded
up with watches of all kinds and sizes,
prices and styles. with watch-cases and
Ter, and when he got to the House he
spread the whole blooming business out
OF. the top of his desk to have il handy
TO refer to when he began his speech.
For SIRE 1t looked like three-ball shop
on auction day. Just before he began
his speech he was called out TO the lob
BY and was out some time. Some wag
Of Representative sitting near con-
cluded to have some fun. He hastily
gathered three big yellow oranges from
nearby legislators. and stuck them on
top of memorandum spindies These
he then conveyed to Representative
Vreeland's desk, standing them in
row, and they looked for ali the world
like three yellow balls. Mr. Vrecland
came rushing back, looked bcwilder-
ingly at his desk, and uttered JUST one
sentence:
"Well, by gosh."
Really. it was so funny that the
Speaker nearly fell out of his chair and
the House simply yelled. The rumpus
of merriment was so tremendous that
Representative Vreeland forgot his
speech entirely and sat Imply down, but
il was 10 minutes before the House got
back to business.
Would you believe it: The wives Of
certain United States Senators have
turned lobbyists. They are going IL
defeat Senator Smoot. and they don't
care much how they do it, either. They
are working like beavers to influence
the committee to fire him out willy
rilly.
Chairman Sherman of New York of