The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-02-21
WASHINGTON CHAT.
Breezy, Newsy Notes From the Ma
tion's Capitol.

SSANi VI tuS OlolllSl VI AOlulIlDld,
bent upon having Congress wipe
ort every saloon in Washington
will beseige the lawmakers in the
Capitol on St. Valentines Day,
February 18th, the date set by the
House District Committee for a
hearing of the temperance advo-
Gates.
Rain or shine, this formidable
army will assemble at a point near
the White House and promptly at
noon will march down Pennsyl-
vapla Avenue to the Capitol. Ar
irving there the march will be con-
tinued throughout the whole build
ing with the idea of showing that
the citizens of Washington are in
earnest about the matter of pro-
hibition in the District.
The aims of the crusaders is to
have the amount of license paid
by saloonkeepers increased. At
present this is $500 per year, not
as large as in many other cities,
and by an increase it is hoped to
reduce the number of saloons. The
abolition of these in the District of
Columbia appears to be moving
question, but it is doubtful if Con-
gress will take any action this ses-
sion. There is too much other
business on the calendar of both
Houses and about all that can be
accomplished during the balance
of the session is to pass the re-
naming appropriation bills. How
ever, the temperance people are
not discouraged. Their demon
stration is to be a remarkable one
and OH St. Valentines day every
nook and corner of the big white
building will echo with the cry
Down with the Saloons. "
As the present session of Con-
gress draws near close the talk
of an extra session increases, but
whether the President will call a
session at an early date after the
4th of March cannot be ascertain
ed from him or from those in charge
of affairs i'll either the Senate or
the House. Senators and Repre-
sentatives deny all knowledge of
any such purpose on the part of the
President, but often these ,awmak-
ers assume an attitude of utter ig-
norance and indifference when it
is known that in doing so they are
only playing the part of states
man5hip.
Persistent rumors are ahoat how
ever, that an extra. session, to be
a very brief one, is really to be
called and not a few secretaries,
clerks and other Congressional
employees, who appear to have
inside" information, are making
plans to.remain at their posts sew
eral weeks after the 4th OF March.
Washington is always in favor
OF an extra session. 1t means more
money for the hotelkeepers and
the merchants 1t prolongs the
entertainments i'll the social set
and provides amusement for the
floating population which makes
Washington its home only as long
as Congress remains.
Just now Washington is the Nee
ca for candidates who are seeking
positions in the new state of Okla.
homa. Many ..of the fat plums will
be readyispicking as soon as the
new state is admitted to the sister
hood and from the large number
of applicants@S.who are already on
the ground, soss far in: advance of
the tiinelthe..territory will become
"a state, it looks as if the belief
among them is that the first come
will besthe first served. The Presi-
dent has given all inquirers to un
derstand that he will pay no atten-
ton to'patronage until it has been
admitted on July the 4th, after
which hesswill listen'to the'appeals
to be made.
Probably the federal judgships
are regarded as the best positions
and the fight for them is shaping