Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-05-16
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON
Especial Correspondence.)


June 29. This will give an opportun.
ity to graduates from colleges and uni.
verslties to take the examinations.
They win be held in Washington.
There are seven vacancies in the
corps of assistant paymasters at this
time.
Lad Not Used to Ways-Represent
tive Washburn of Massachusetts took
his 10-year-old son to the house a
short while ago. Taking seat with
an older companion, the lad watched
the scene. Members were strolling
about the aisles, others chatting with
one another, and Mr.. Mann of Illinois
was celebrating point of order to un-
needing ears. The youngster gazed ex-
pectantly for some time, and then in
quired of his friend, do you think
there will be session today?"
Steamer Law Amendment-The
committee on merchant marine and
fisheries, of which Representative
Greene Is chairman, has reported fav-
orably a bill providing that a count
shall be made of persons boarding
passenger-carrying steamers. The
present law provides that list shall
be kept of such persons, and the de-
partment of justice has held that this
means list of the passengers names.
This has been found to be impracti-
cable, and accordingly it is proposed
to amend the law.
Raynor Col Stewards Champion
President Roosevelt must either grant
Col. William f. Stewart a court of in
quiry or congress will be urged to pass
joint resolution giving him this priv
ilege. Mr.. Roosevelt must make up his
mind by next week. Senator Raynor,
who threatens to offer the joint resolu-
tion allowing Col Stewart a court of
inquiry, received a letter from the
president, in which Mr.. Roosevelt said
final determination had not been
reached, but he also inclined to refuse
the request, for the reason that it
would establish precedent by which
every officer with a fancled grievance
could demand similar treatment. Ac-
companying the letter were the official
papers in the case. The president ex-
pressed the opinion that congress had
no authority to grant Col. Stewart a
court of inquiry. Senator Raynor i'm
mediately wrote a reply, asserting the
contrary He believes that exile to q
remote, ungarrisoned post constitutes
punishment, and that Col. Stewart has
been condemned and punished without
an opportunity of defending himself.
Officials of the war department hold
that the exile may be hardship, but
does not constitute punishment.
Annual Canteen Battle-The annual
battle over the canteen In the soldiers
homes was fought out on the floor of
the house last week, and, as usual,
victory rested with the prohibition.
lists. Their fight was led by Represen-
tative Tirrell, who offered an amend
ment providing that none of the four
million and odd thousand dollars ap-
propriated for the national soldiers
homes should be available for any
home where a canteen exists. After
nearly three hours debate, the amend
ment was adopted by vote Of 1877 to
46. Representative Tirrell was greatly
elated with the victory, which, he
claimed, was more decisive than it
has been In past years when the same
question arose In connection with the
sundry civil appropriation bill Repre-
sentative TirrelPs argument was con-
tested by Representative Keliher. He
protested that it was unfair to plead
the cause Of prohibition in connection
with the canteen in the soldiers
homes. An amendment to the Tlrrell
amendment was offered by Represent
ative Parsons of New York, providing
that the inmates of the homes should
decide for themselves the question
whether they would have canteens.
A point of order was made against
this by Representative Littlefield OF
Maine, who made a strong argument
against the Parsons amendment. The
point was overruled, but the Parsons
amendment was lost.
Cannon Forgot His Birthday
Speaker Cannon was 72 years May Z,
but being presidential candidate he
was not aware Of the fact until the
anniversary was half over, and then
reminders came thick and fast. The
first hint was contained in telegram
from constituent in Danvllle, ILL.,,
who Is the family bible expert for all
that part of the country. What day Of
the month is this, Busbey?" he asked
of his secretary. Here Is a fellow
who has the nerve to say have
turned another milestone" A calen.
dar was consulted and Uncle Joe" 40.
knowledged that the boys back nome
had one on him. In few minutes Mr..
Busbey was called out to the corridor
and notified that about the biggest
floral piece ever seen in the capitol
would arrive at o'clock, and there
would be big doings in the speakers
room. Uncle Joe" was kept in COM
plete ignorance of the arrangements
and when, at the appointed time, he
was summoned from the floor OF the
house by the entire Illinois delegation,
he was genuinely surprised. Represen-
tatives Gan and Rainey, one a Repub-
llcan and the other a Democrat, spoke
feelingly and presented the floral
piece, which was six feet high and was
of dogwood and American beauty
roses. AS the old gentleman started
TO reply tear trickled down each
side of his nose and he shook visibly
with emotion. He surveyed the 25
members. Democrats and Republicans,
then gazed at the flowers and said:
"The sweetest flowers OF all Bloom
above the parting wall"
Toads become torpid in winter and
hide themselves, taking no food for