St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-03-21


have been in circulation for some weeks.
Rev. Lyman P. Peet, for Is years head
OF Foochow college in China, when here,
felt things were growing worse there.
Although the officials declare they wish
for peace, they fear secretly that they
favor the boycott. He thought the
United States immigration laws should
be more liberal to the better class in
China; but our government must be firm
in its dealings with them, or they may
think we are influenced by fear. They
will be more friendly the 6rmer we act.
On the other hand Shanghai merchants
say you hear the cry in the provinces,
Asia for Asiatics," rousing the Mon
golians against foreigners, which is a
growing sentiment, and they urge the
need of an armed force to be ready to
cope with emergencies. Rev. Arthur H.
Smith, D. D.. of Pang Chuang, SO years
resident of China, and called a high
authority, on his return from the great
convention in Nashville, Tenn, lunched
with the President and addressed large
company at the Congregational Club
here on "The Awakening of China" For
thousands of years she was satisfied and
contented with her condition and civil
ization of the past, but since the Japanese
war she realizes that something beside a
civil government is necessary; she must
reorganize the militia and have new
army; her young men, who have been
abroad, have returned with new ideas
and the anti-foreign element seems to be
increasing. He feels kinder treatment
OF the educated Chinese should prevail in
the United States.
The Vermont State Association is to
hold its annual maple sugar party April
81. 1t is hoped that there will be an
abundance Of sugar made in the state, so
that plentiful supply can be obtained.
Justice Stafford OF st. Johnsbury
has made fine record in more ways
than one since his advent into this city.
Before his appointment the District Bar
had united in petition to have one of
their number recognized to fill the Office.
1t was in some measure difficult and
delicate place to fill, as judge in the
equity court. Some little time since, we
heard high encomium passed upon him
by prominent lawyer, when be said,
Il like the appearance of the man and l
believe he intends to do the right thing;
uninfluenced by partisan motives; he
seems to be the right man in the right
place" In his address before the YER
mont State Association, and especially
before the Loyal Legion, he has establish.
ed reputation as an orator. Vermont
has always been remarkably fortunate
in her delegations in Congress; her
senators and representatives have been
characterized as men OF ability and much
force of character.
1t is still an open question whether
Secretary Taft, will accept position,
on the bench of the supreme court, for it
is believed that the President has tender.
il to him.
The President of the United States
being a man of broad mind and national
sympathies, is constantly on the alert,
studying national interests and issues;
hence he urged the consideration of GER.
tain measures on the opening OF Congress
and desired some action should be taken.
In this way certain newspapers call
certain bills administration ones, such
as statehood, the Philippine tariff the
railway rate bill, ETC., and il they do not
pass in Congress, some infer that it in.
dicates lack of confidence in the Presi.
dent, and that he is losing power. Those
in closer touch do not seem to regard it
in that light, for they realize thar there
are many conflicting state and home
matters, which bear upon the national
issues, so Congress has failed thus far in
concerted action on some of the bills.
The President is strong man before the
people, and it is claimed that he regards
the railway rate bill as the paramount
issue in this Congress. But it is such an
alien bracing one in its bearings, so vital
to the business affairs of the country,
that it requires the incest counsellors,
the best legislators, and the keenest
lawyers to explain it. There has been
a campaign OF education in the Senate,
the past week, by speeches for and against
the pending bill, while campaign OF
literature is going on in the outside
world. Vermonters must feel pardon
able pride, as we'll as personal interest
10 this bill, as one OF her sons, Hon. c. A.
Prouty, is honored by being member
of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
1t is claimed that the majority Of the
democrats favor the bill asst stands, and
the President, although republican,
does not believe in making this partisan
question, because the people OF the
country demand railroad reform, and it
will require democratic votes to help
pass the bill.
The Hepburn Bill has been made up by
the House committee from 10 Others.
which have appeared before in the
House, which has involved more or less
labor and thought by the committee for
several years. 1t was intended to enlarge
the power of the commission. although
it does not give them the initiative in
rate making, but when complaints have
been made, they can declare what is a
reasonable rate or charge, as stated,