Middletown transcript., 1908-06-13
WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 9th, 1908.
PREPARATIONS for the annual sum-
] mer exodus of executive employees
are going on at the White House and in
few days the first consignment of office
furniture will be shipped to Oyster Bay,
where the Presidents cottage at Sycamore
Hill is now being put in readiness for his
arrival there on the afternoon of June
goth, and the secretaries, clerks, telegraph
operators and messengers are closing ar
rangements for accommodations.
~
Another Iowan well established in the
public estimation is being constantly men,
toned as a candidate for the Vice-Pres-
idency, Senator Dolliver, and Senator
Allison's victory has given renewed i'm
petus to the candidacy OF Dolliver for the
second place on the ticket. 1t is gener-
ally admitted that Senator Delivers elo-
quence went far toward his colleagues sue
cess, and this adds another forceful reason
for his selection for second place; another
reason is his absolute loyalty to the
Roosevelt policies and still another is his
fitness for the presidency should accident
or unforeseen event throw that great re-
sponsibility upon him.
~
Representative Serene E. Payne, left
Washington this week for his home at
Auburn, n. Y, where he will remain for
two or three days before going to the
Chicago convention, to which he is dele
gate. Mr.. Payne and his associates on
the Ways and Means Committee obtained
permission from Congress to sit this sum-
mer and begin preliminary investigation
of tariff schedules, but Mr.. Payne was
confident when he left Washington that
no meeting of the committee will be held
until after the election. When Mr.. Payne
was asked if he approved of the Ohio
tariff plank, he replied that he was not
yet prepared to give his full endorsement
to the wording of that plank, but realized
that a revision of the tariff must come.
Mr.. Payne had an interview with the
President just before his departure and
when asked about an extra session of
Congress, said that at present he saw no
indication that an extra session would be
necessary, and this means that he is not
at all fearful that the Democrats will con-
troll the next House.
nv
Secretary Taft has assured his friends
that if his wishes were consulted he would
be satisfied with nothing short of q
Roosevelt platform-one which would not
only indorse those of the Presidents poll.
cies already approved by Congress, but
those, also, which Mr.. Roosevelt has pro.
mulgated for the guidance of the executive
branch of the government and others
which he has recommended for legislative
action, Secretary Taft is prepared to
stand on a pretty strong tariff revision
plank, and he wants tariff revision as soon
as it is practicable to accomplish it. He
has expressed satisfaction with the tariff
plank of the Ohio platform this year, and
it is probable that the Ohio plank will
form the basis for the national tariff dec.
laration.
~
There is still much speculation regard.
ing the craftsmanship of the national CON-
mittee, and some of the political prophets
have thoughtfully arranged that the place
he assigned to Senator Crane, of Massa-
cEusetts. Secretary Taft and bis immed-
late advisers are saying nothing about the
national craftsmanship at this time, but
to those who are fairly close to them, the
selection of Mr.. Crane for the post Of
general commanding the forces" does
not look like particularly shrewd guess.
~
A somewhat sensational story gained
circulation in, Washington this week to
the effect that the United States marines
were to guard the polls in the coming
election in Panama, but this discounte-
nanced by the authorities The facts are
that the Secretary of the Navy has ordered
180 marines to the isthmus to replace a
like number whose term of two years in
| the tropics has expired. The marines
who go to the isthmus will not take with
them any ammunition or equipment for
special service. 1t is superhuous to say
that this country will insist on the main
tenance of order in the republic OF Pan
anna, but it is confidently hoped that
there will be no occasion for the use Of a
military force to compel a fair and proper
election. Reports from the isthmus indi-
cate that the recent visit of Secretary
Taft will be productive of good results.
~
Much excitement was created in Wash
ington this week when it was learned that
President Roosevelt had been thrown
from his horse in Rock Creek Park while
out riding with Mrs. Roosevelt. Fortu-
nately there were no serious results from
the accident, only few bruises, and
nothing would have been known of the
affair had it not been witnessed by several
people driving in the vicinity of the acci-
dent.
4 sTATp nnuuruTTnr