Middletown transcript., 1908-06-06
WASHINGTON LETTER


WASHINGTON, D. c., May 3Oth, 1908.
&ENATOR La Toilette does not enjoy
- the inconspicuous place among his
contemporaries, to which his attainments
have naturally assigned him, and SEEM
) lngly convinced that no more favorable
opportunity has ever presented itself for
him to occupy position which would
command the attention of the entire
country, he conducted flibuster against
the currency bill, which passed the House
early in the week. After seeking in vain
for encouragement in this undertaking
from those Republicans who are opposed
to the bill, be enegertically canvassed the
Democratic side for assistance but it ap-
peared that he was unable to secure it
and he gave his word to Senator Aldrich
that he would abandon the idea and con.
tent himself with few remarks of obiec-
tIon to the bill. Later, however, Senator
Stone OF Missouri, on the advice of
William j. BrJ an, was ready to support
Senator La Toilette in his attempts at OBJ
struction and Senator La Toilette disre-
garded his promise to Mr.. Aldrich and
did all in his power to obstruct the pas
sage OF the compromise currency bill. In
twelve hours he called for and secured
thirty-two roll calls and every trick known
to the political filibuster was resorted to.
The leaders in the Republican party are
determined that adjournment shall not
take place until the currency measure is
written on the statute books, and the out
come is watched with the keenest inter-
est.
~
1t is daily becoming more evident at
Washington that the New York delega-
tion in Congress is bent on having a man
| from the Empire State on the national
Republican ticket, and from the way
matters are now shaping themselves,
strong effort will be made to name Repre-
sentative Sherman for Vice President.
Unquestionably his boom at the Capitol
is assuming important proportions and he
is considered an ideal candidate in every
way. The claim is made that through
his friend John Dalzsll, Sherman could
get the Pennsylvania delegation, while
his colleague, Serene Payne, would be
tower of strength at the convention. The
claim is made, also, that Speaker Cannon
would be glad to put his shoulder to the
wheel.
~
The appointment of General Luke Z.
Wright of Tennessee, gold Democrat, to
be successor of Secretary Taft on July 1st,
is considered the coup de etat Of that
postmaster in the art of politics Theodore
Roosevelt. While the announcement has
not been made officially from the White
House, nor will be, of course, until after
the nomination of Secretary Taft for the
Presidency at the convention, it is ad-
mitted that General Wright will succeed
to the portfolio of War. This selection is
considered an ideal one in every way, it
was recommended by both Secretary Root
and Secretary Taft, and has a political
significance of no mean Importance.
General Wright is peculiarly fitted to take
up the work of the War Department
where Secretary Taft leaves off He was
with the Secretary in the Philippines at
the time Judge Taft was at the head of
the Philippine Commi sson and served
with him during the period OF reconstruc-
tion of>the government of the islands;
later was charged with the codifcation of
the laws of the Philippines and was the
organizer of the constabulary which has
done such excellent work. As American
Ambassador to Japan Gen. Wright re-
mained in Tokyo until last year. The
recognition of the South by Republican
President in appointing to his Cabinet a
Southern Democrat is considered to be an
event OF far-reaching significance.
~
According to present arrangements,
agreed upon yesterday by Secretary Taft
and his political managers, Representa-
tive T. E. Burton, of Cleveland, will make
the speech placing Mr.. Taft on nomina-
ton before the Republican national con-
vention. Mr.. Vorhys and Mr.. Hitchcock
who are associated in the management of
the Taft campaign, have held conferences
with the President this week going over
the situation snd completing their plans.
There is no doubt that at least some of the
important pIanks of the Republican plat
form will be prepared in Washington and
that the President will have hand in the
preparation of the declaration of prin-
ciples of that instrument so that from now
until the gathering of the delegates in
Chicago, there will be many important
conferences at the White House.
~
If the weather permits, Speaker Can
non, Senator Hemenway, Representative
Landis of Indiana, and L. White Busby,
the Secretary to the Speaker, expect to
make their journey home by automobile,
after adjournment. The trip will be
made over the old national turnpike,
which runs through the Allegheny Noun
tains and out to st. Louis
~
The naval authorities are highly elated
over the results of the test made against
the turret armor plate of the Florida, To
naval officers the results seem conclusive
evidence that the turret armor of our
modern fighting ships is proof against the
best guns that other nations might turn
against us with hostile intent.