The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-11-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.

AOWdAO tBC CuO Va LUG WCCttuk ~ dQOPtCd
a resolution demanding the introduction
Of the parcels post on rural routes and also
of its universal extension. Another reso-
luton was adopted asking for the estab-
lishment of postal savings banks for the
benefit of farmers. These are measures
that have been recommended by Post
master General Won Meyer aud by his
predecessors for twenty years. The par
cells post has long since been in use in
European and even in Asiatic countries.
Ifthe United States were an effete mon
archy or an oppressed despotism we would
long since have had the parcels post here
but being a free and independent Govern
ment of Senatorial, Congressional and
other bosses in the pay of the interests,
and having Senator from New York,
representing the Express Companies of
which he is President, on the floor of the
Senate, and having powerful Express
company lobby with its pockets bullying
with i'll gotten gains ever present at the
Capitol, we must be content with our
Wanted superiority i'll name over the
efete monarchies and despotisms. The
recent postoffice deficit was seventeen
millions. The postoffice establishment,
spending nearly two hundred millions,
brings the country in debt seventeen mil
lions a year. The establishment, we'll
managed in business like way and doing
the profitable work that the. Express COM
pany filches from it, would bring the
Government yearly enough money to
build half dozen Dreadnoughts and
would at the same time furnish all of the
people of the United States vastly
superior service. With thirty thousand
rural routes, nearly all of them supplied
with horse and wagon, the small amount
of fifty FIVE pounds trip would W pc out
the deficit. The National Grange has
passed resolution 10 oppose Senators
who oppose the parcels post delivery.
During the past week it has been def
initely settled that Secretary of State Root
will transfer his activities from the
premiership of President Roosevelt's Cab
met to, was about to say, the leadership
of the Senate But Senatorial etiquette
and tradition demands that new Senators
however distinguished shall be seen not
heard-sitting in modest silence. There
have been recently some conspicuous re
calcitrants against this iron rule, Senator
Beverage made himself heard soon after
be entered the Senate. Senator La Fol
lette also found it impossible to keep still
and it is possible that the passing away of
old things and the introduction of new
may have begun and is ringing changes
in the Senate. Senator Aldrich FROM the
little state of Rhode Island has long been
called by the newspaper men the boss Of
the Senate" and he deserves the soubri
quet although Senator Hale of Maine is
himself something ola boss A com.
paratively new Senator, Crane of Massa
chusetts, has been very influential in the
counsels of the majority Of that august
body, while his colleague. Lodge. is look
ed upon as the mouth piece of the Presi.
dent. II cannot be otherwise than that
the entrance of so conspicuous and so
intellectually potent man as Root will
have its influence on the American House
of Peers as we'll as .salutary influence in
The affairs of the country. President elect
Taft, it is said. desired him to remain at
the head Of his Cabinet but he will be able
TO assist the Administration from The
Senate floor and his counsel will doubtless
be indirectly felt in the Cabinet Chamber.
1t was rumored Saturday that the old
gang IN New York had gotten together to
defeat Root for the Senate, but he is so
conspicuously fit and necessary that the
gang will probably not succeed better
than they did against Gov. Hughes.
IT is said that the President has already
begun his,editorial work on the magazine
called The Outlook and that the coming
number will1have an article from his rem
on the awakening In China. Doubtless
the President has gotten much information
on this subject from. looks. missionaries
and the public press but it is questionable
if he will write as well on the subject now
as he might write after he has mace a
stuly of that country on the ground
There is no doubt that China is awaking
but so long and SO profound has been her
siumber aud SO impervious is she, owing
to physical and psychological conditions,
to modern thought that it is doubtful If
even our grandchildren will be able 10
say she is awake. China has no language,
her immense population estimated by
guesses (and nothing more) to be four
hundred millions have no common lin
quail medium Of communication. The