Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-04-18

F0TES FROM WASHINGTON
Especial Correspondence }

To Prevent Stamp Thefts--Postmas.
ter General Meyer recently issued an
order permitting the perforatlon OF
United States postage stamps for the
purpose of Identification only. 1t is
aimed TO protect large users or
stamps against theft.
Against Paper Trust-By unani'
mous vote the house committee ON
the judiciary agreed the other day to
report favorably the paper trust" res
outions introduced by Speaker Can.
non. One of these resolutions directs
the attorney.general to inform the
house what steps have been taken to
investigate and prosecute the lnterna-
lonal Paper company OF New YORK
and other corporations or combina-
tions engaged in the manufacture OF
wood pulp or print paper. The other
resolution directs the secretary or
commerce and labor to inform the
house what steps have been taken by
the bureau of corporations toward in
vestigating the alleged paper trust.
The resolutions were subsequently
called up in the house and passed.
Must Look Their Flnest-To pre-
sent military service in its most at
tractive light and in that way encour-
age enlistments in the army, Gen.
Bell, chief of staff, has Objected that
all officers and enlisted men EN-
ployed in the recruiting service must
wear their incest military apparel,
either the dress uniform or the white
uniform, according to the season. The
wearing of the service or olive drab
uniform by recruiting officers or men
Is interdicted Recruiting officers
are reminded that neatness of dress
and soldierly appearance are essential
TO success in recruiting, and they are
directed to relieve from such duty all
enlisted men who are slovenly or un-
soldierH in appearance.
No More Mlddies for Army-Secre-
tary Metcalf has declined to accept
the designations of two midshipmen
with the Atlantic fleet. who have not
finished their tour of sea duty neces-
sary before final graduation for An
napolls and two others who are still
at Annapolis. Two of these men de-
sired to resign to enter the coast ar
tillery of the army, where they are
welcome In preference to civilians be-
cause OF the training which they have
received at the naval academy Sew
eral designations of midshipmen for
the reported purpose of entering the
coast artillery already have been ac-
cepted by the department. and the
only comment made In connection
with Secretary Metcalf action was
by an official of the department, who
said, I'VE are tired of educating men
at Annapolis for the army"
Senate In No Hurry--The senate
passed the Notifications appropria.
tIon bill, carrying $12,1O6,1S7, the
senate adding $3,9O5,576. AS mark
of respect to the memory of Repre-
sentative Brick, the senate adjourned
for few days. This program was
arranged by the leaders because
there are not now on the calendar any
measures that are regarded as OF
pressing character. The indications
are that there will be little legislation
from now on, except the appropria-
tions, and it Is not impossible that
congress will be ready to adjourn be-
tween May Is and May 30. The leg
islation urged by the president, in
Guiding the bill amending the Sher-
man antitrust laws, which Is before
congress. as the national civic feder-
alton bill is believed by the leaders
to be doomed. The fact that organ
lied labor does not appear to be salts
fed with the measure is the reason
given for the lukewarm attitude OF
Republican members of congress
toward the proposed legislation. An
employers liability bill is one OF the
measures that stands good chance
of enactment, It is believed, although
the bill passed by the house is not
satisfactory to the senate.
A Famous Row of Seats--Will some
future historian ever write the story
of the last, the famous row of seats in
the senate chamber? About it linger
memories calculated to start the old.
timers to "reminiscences. 1t is a unique
row Of sedate mahogany chairs. There
is no other row like 1t in that noted
chamber. Just at present the Oldest
senator. Stewart of Vermont, has oc-
cupancy there In the same row un-
til recently sat the late lamented Bry-
an OF Florida, the youngest man. A
close neIghbor Of the Vermonter Ia
that other distinguished statesman.
William Morris Stewart of Nevada,
who sat In the last row, on the centre
aisle. for almost the entire 20 years
he was a United States senator. He
is in Washington now, preparing for
publication his book Of "reminiscences.
and is a frequent visitor in the senate.
Just across the aisle-also In the last
roW--sits Guggenheim OF Colorado,
the richest man in the senate, and ad-
jacent is the seat of Bankhead OF AL
ALBANIA, the only statesman who was
ever kicked upstairs Defeated for
congress after years of service by
that hero OF thousand kissing bees.
the Hon. Richmond Pearson Hobson,
his legislature elected him first OF ell
igibles to the senate when the vacan-
cy should occur. Truly, the last row
)f seats In the United States senate
.ouid not be matched elsewhere.