The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-20
GEN WRIGHT WILL
co TO JAPAN.
Distinguished T en- nes-
Seedn be First Ame-
riCdn ambassador.
SENT A BOOKCASE
THROUGH THE MAILS
Sample Of Abuse Of Franking
Privilege, Which is to Be In
vestigated-Must Pay
Postage On Letters
Put in Rural
Delivery.

From Our Regular Correspondent)
WASHINGTON, January l9.-Luke e.
Wright. of Tennessee. encouragement
OF the Philippines. is to be the first
American Ambassador 10 Japan, IL the
Senate approves the nomination which
President Roosevelt will next Monday
submit to it. The announcement was made
to-day by Secretary Root. Governor
General Wright will be succeeded iii
Office at Manila first. by Henry G. Ide.
the senior member OF the commission
and vtce-governor and acting governor
general while General Wright Is on leave
of absence In this country. When he re-
tires on June i. james f. Smith. of
California, member OF the Philippine
Commission, Will succeed to the Office of
governor-general.
General Wrigh; rendered his resignation
as governor general OF the Philippines
several months ago. indicating his desire
TO retire from the Philippine service by
the first OF the present year. President
Roosevelt Secretary Taft and Secretary
Root recognized his reason for retire
Inent from the Philippines good and
he was offered the American Ambassa-
dorship of Japan.
1t is understood that the Japanese
government has indicated Its willingness
10 accept General Wright as ambassador.
May Go at Once.
General Wright has not decided yet
when he Will go to Japan, having orig!-
naily planned to remain In this country
until June, but may hasten his departure
AS America is represented at Toxic Dip
lomatically only by Mr.. Laughlin, the
second secretary OF the legation.
Commissioner Ide, who will Immediately
succeed Governor-General Wright, has
record OF distinguished service. He has
been Philippine commissioner for the past
six years, and being we'll along in years
desired TO retire and rendered his resig-
natioH'to take effect June list next. Both
the President and Secretary Taft felt that
his service merited the honor OF having
for time at least held the actual rank
of encouragement OF the Philippines
The retirement OF Governor Wright AMI
OF Governor Ide will leave two vacan-
cies on the commission to be filled. as to
which no decision has been reached.
A Southern Man.
General Luke Wright is Tennessean.
He is Democrat. though he has not
had opportunity to cast vote for some
years, having been In the Philippines
since about 1899. He had an opportunity
to vote for William j. Bryan in 1885, but
did not avail himself of the chance. He
served through the war as a gallant SOL
der of the Confederate army.
When General Wright shall have sue
ceeded Minister Griscom he will be the
first Southern man TO occupy any post
of importance in the diplomatic service
since President Cleveland was In the
White House. IL the position of consul
general to Cuba. which General Fitz Lee
held at the outbreak of the war with
SPAIN be excepted. General Lee was
appointed by Mr.. Cleveland, and allowed
to hold over by Mr.. Mckinley The ap-
pointment of General Wright is regarded
as being somewhat in the nature of a
presidential bid for the support OF South
ern members of Congress In the pressing
of matters OF special interest to the ad-
ministration.
Abuse Franking Privileges.
Congress is investigating the reports
that certain members abuse the franking
privilege granted them by the govern
nlent. Members and senator's are allowed
to send free through the malls public
documents and communications relating
TO public business. but are not allowed
to send letters and articles of other ma
ture. There are many stories In ctrcula-
ton regarding abuse OF the privilege. It
is said that some members bring to Wash
ington every year through the mails q
large part of their household effects, free
of all charge for transportation. 1t is
said that Southern member, who was
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