The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1908-03-20
JACK" HARRIS WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Mar. 10th.

WASHINGTON, Mar. 10th.
DEAR PUBLIC OPINION: -
This is the penitential season,
and Sassiety sleeps till late. 1t is
pleased to consider itself in sack
cloth and ashes, but there are no
outward and visible signs of these
adjuncts to ascetic repentance. Mrs.
Roosevelt pushed the button which
stopped the giddy whirl on Ash
Wednesday, and set sail for the
Gulf of Mexico on the government
cutter Dolphin. Then the smaller
heavenly lights likewise subsidized.
Some went away, and some went to
to bed in an effort to sleep it off.
The pampered bullpup is now deny
ing himself = or having it denied
for him-canvasback and lobster
a la Newburg, and is forced to regale
himself on porterhouse and dropped
eggs on toast. No more do the
waters of champagney flow in
streams, and no more do the cock
AIDED footmen in skin tight breeches
make their round of card leaving
every morning. The dress suit is
in cold storage, and the evening
dress has been packed away in a
pill box. Those of the deah boys
and sweet young things who didn't
have to go to sanitarium are
signing with onwe, spelled ennui, !"
and wondering what they are living
for. So do |. Official society is a
disease, somewhat like fever, and
also resembling paresis. Those who
are best fitted for society are those
inheriting paresis. Lack of brains
is not requisite, but is a very
great help. One can act natural
then without any effort. Society
also bears a distinct resemblance
to malaria, as once the system gets
full of it not even sulphur and mud
baths can ever entirely eradicate it.
Society is even harder on the foot
men and bullpups, who have no
human intelligence or mothers to
guide them. 1t is bad enough to
be in the paresis club. But let us
cheer up! The book beer season is
here!
From the fact that congress is
opening the throttle and
the speed pressure, the
of the end Of the session
is seen. From every state and
congressional district is coming the
hum of political contests,
and those few who have no personal
fights of their own on hand are
anxious to get home and put in an
oar for a friend. Many state cam
paigns are already under way,
besides the contests for delegates
to the national conventions, and
the leaders are hearing the call to
them from wayback. In fact, they
are getting nervous. Many of them
are already spending much time at
the long distance telephone, and the
urcfnn who calls senators out of
.he chamber TO answer the phone
is sprinting continuously. Self APP
pointed local bosses from home are
arriving hourly for consultation
and to receive instructions, and the
big chiefs here are hustling long
hours. Some time is given to
hurrying legislation, but as much
more to keeping a finger on the
pulse at home. !
For these reasons there will be
little more dawdling and time-killing
lere. The pressure of business
lecessitates no especial rush, but |
continual application instead in
order to give proper consideration
o those matters which demand it.
There is very little on the slate
besides the regular supply bills
which. is of general consequence
md which is intended to be enacted.
The appropriation bills are well
n hand, and could be put through
n the next ten days, were it neces-
airy. The senate will vote on and
cry probably pass the ship subsidy
ill Friday of this week, and there
viii be two or three more speeches
n it. Debate on the Aldrich
bill was begun last week
y an elaborate speech in opposition
y Senator Bailey Monday. The
enator's remarks consumed two
nd one-half hours, and from the
tandpoint of finished oratory it
las undoubtedly the best by far
f any delivered this session in
lther house on any subject. He
'as followed by Senator McLauren
tuesday,, Clarke Wednesday, Lodge
thursday and LaFollette Friday.
Senator LaFollette has only Just
from a severe attack {
grip, and vote on the bill was
cid back to give him a chance to ;
e heard. The little Wisconsin
snator is in a class by himself. |
ew if any men in this country have !
lch a marvellous command of [
ldustrial facts and figures and such l
profound knowledge of the econ ,
mic condition of the country. He {
a volcano in eruption spouting /
atistics and hard facts. Person. I
ly he has made himself very I'M c
1pular with his republican col |
agues by his brusque and arbi- c