Amador ledger., 1907-01-18
Washington
Letter.
Washington, January q, 1907.

oat'ie o'el Ihe ulScnarge or the negro
battalion was resumed with all the
energy which characterized the late
war between Japan and Russia, the
present contest, however, being be-
tween Senator Foraker and the presi-
dent. In expectation of the resump-
tion of the struggle there was a very
large crowd at the Capitol, and COM
paratively few could gain admittance
to the senate chamber Conspicious
among these was a large number of
colored people, who seem to think
that the race question is the one in
issue. And this seemed to be the
idea of Senator Culberson, democratic
senator from Texas, who opened the
fight with somewhat impassioned
defense of the president, in the
course of which the question of race
was more. than once raised. Although
the president has frequently emphati-
| cally lectured the south for holding
strong opinions on the difference
between races, the only defender of
his course who has thus far appeared
was compelled to make use OF the
argument which he condemns. For a
republican president to be defended
by democrat on grounds which the
executive has emphatlcalIy con-
demed, presented an unique situation
during an administration which has
been fruitful In surprises. What else
may occur to cause the country to sit
up and take notice during the present
session can not of course be predict
ed. but that more interesting events
will happen is quite certain. Senator
Foraker has just begun his campaign,
and as he is one of the bravest and
most skillful of fighters it may con-
idently be expected that there will
be many sharp encounters before it
is determined whether the president
has the right to dismiss the army at
Will without a shadow of account
ability to anyone. If by any chance
this light should be established, a
very long step would be taken on the
road to such Capitalization of power
as would tend to lead to the virtual
abolition of the supreme court and
the law-making functions of congress.
The question at issue is one of such
vital Importance that it Will over
shadow all others which are likely to
arise during the session. The friends
of the president will undoubtedly
endeavor to secure support for his
action by indirect means, for it is
doubtful if any of them will dare to
meet the issue squarely and fight it
out on the lines laid down by senator
Foraker. The President is now in
the position of the Russian army in
its last stand at Mukden, and would
doubtless welcome another peace OF
Portsmouth.
An effort will be made by the dele
cation to secure the passage by the
house Of the bill making, an appro-
priation for the Sloat monument at
Monterey. A bill appropriating
money for this purpose has sbeen
passed in the senate by Senator Fer
kins in this and two or three previous
congresses, but has failed in the
house. The friends of the monument
in California are now becoming
anxious that the government act in
the matter, and appeals for action
have recently been made to the dele
CATION. Congressman Needham will
take up the matter in the house, and
there Is good ground for hope that
his vigorous methods Will produce
results. The other members of the
delegation will of course assist.
The proposed bIeakwater at Mon
terey Is another work which is great
ly desired and concerning which
people in California have had much
correspondence with the delegation.
Congressman Needham has this matter
also in hand in the house, ana an
effort will be made to secure an
authorization for an official examina-
tion by the war depar tment in which
an estimate of cost can be based.
This Is all that it will be possible
to effect at this session. Congress
would not consider an appropriation
for the work in the absence of such
examination, estimate of cost Of the
work, and recommendation by the
Chief OF engineers, and he can not
undertake such preliminary survey
until authorized so to do by congress.
This authorization, therefore, is all
that can be expected this year.
Should the chief engineer make ex-
animation during the summer, it
would, if he recommends the work,
be possible at the next session to
secure an appropriation herefor.
United States District Attorney K.
L. Devlin has been IN this city for
week engaged with the attorney
general in preparing the Japanese
school case for the courts. 1t is evil
dent that great deal of care is being
exercised by the government, for it
is probable that District Attorney
Devlin will be compelled to remain
here still another week. He has
been very busily engaged in the de-
partment of justice on this matter