The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-06-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.

A great deal is being made of discov-
cry which many surmised without having
had any information on the subject Last
week at a Masonic celebration at the
Capital it was accidentally disclosed that
the President carries pistol and after
the discovery number of persons came
forward to testify that he carries not only
one but several. The newspapers assume
different views in their treatment of the
matter, and few have arisen to say that
it is beneath the dignity of President
and bad example to the nation that he
should go armed. The majority though
are of the opinion that if the President
could carry whole, arsenal without in
convenience he would be justified in
doing so, and since the tragic death Of
three presidents by assassination it gives
the people more secure feeling to know
that Mr.. Roosevelt is prepared to defend
himself in case of an attack. That he is
quite capable of getting the drop every
one who knows him, believes. AS mat
ter of fact it is rather odd that informa.
ton of this kind has not been given out
long before this, for it would be salutary
notice to anarchists and cranks that he
would not be the easy victim that his
predecessors were, and the knowledge
that he has gun in his hip pocket and
another in his overcoat pocket might
we'll make would be assassin with a
regard for his health stop to think. The
danger to the President is greater than to
other men, and the precaution of Mr..
Roosevelt far from being an exhibition of
cowardice is evidently the manifestation
of a resolution not to become the coun-
try's fourth martyr if he can help it. 1t
is true that he is always accompanied by
detectives and secret service men but so
was President Mckinley, and the best
defense in similar situation would be a
pistol, steady hand and quick eye.
The President has all three, and the
country for knowing it can breathe
little easier when he is on any of his
speech making or handshaking tours.
xx*
The Public Lands Convention, which
takes place at Denver next week, is likely
to have an altogether different effect from
the one expected by its organizers. 1t
was originally planned as a meeting in
which the Presidents policies concerning
public lands in the West were to be
fought to the end and for this purpose
delegates from all the states were selected
as far as possible from those who could
be relied upon to vote in condemnation
of the Administration policy. An un-
looked for element has been introduced
though in the announcement from Wash
ington that number of prominent men
under the Administration will be present
at the Convention and that of these, sew
eral will deliver addresses. Secretary
Garfield of the Interior Department has
already left for the West ostensibly to in
spect the various land offices but in reality
to attend the Land Convention and head
off the resolutions inimical to the Admin
istration. He will be Joined there by
Clifford Pinchot, Chief Forester, an in
innate friend of the President, Secretary
Wilson of the Agricultural Department,
Mr.. Ballinger Commissioner of the Land
Office, Chief Engineer Newell of the
Reclamation Bureau and others who will
attempt to explain that the Presidents
Land Policy is really designed to preserve
the land to the people instead of taking
it from them and that the objection to the
Administration has been inspired by
those who were trying to steal timber and
mineral lands, principally in the interest
of the transcontinental railroads.
Incidentally Mr.. Garfield will drop in
at various Land Offices without previous
announcement of his coming so that he
will see the everyday condition of the
Offices without any special hurried house
cleaning for his benefit.
*x*
Plans for great Cathedral to cost over
FIVE million of dollars and to have a seat
ing capacity for Ave thousand persons
have just been accepted by the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese of Washington. For
more than ten years such an edi6ce has
been the hope of the Episcopalians of the
Capitol and few evenings ago the plans
which were drawn by famous English
Architect were made public. The huge
building will stand or the highest ground
near the city and will be about forty five
minutes drive from the centre of the city.
1t will be $50 feet above sea level and its
highest tower which will be 277 feet will
look down upon the city and far beyond.
1t will be conspicuous from the Capital on
account of its height and location and an