The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-12-18
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
Decamher IL. IanS.

'Ohotou h0'C oil ucphEbcu. ltaN-
ing Washington alone with Con.
gress, the President and the Pres
ident elect. 1t has been q strenu-
Gus week for Washington with
these conventions, which were OF
real Importance. Doubtless the
President is earnestly disirous OF
accomplishing something before
his "sun," as he expresses it, shall
completely set, and before he
plunges into the midst of the Dark
Continent and leaves the country
to the care of William III. Taft
and Congress and Speaker Can
non. The administration for more
than seven years have been trying
to accomplish great things and
doubtless the era called Roosevelt
tian will be remembered for its
strenuousness. But the President
has been opposed by stubborn con
servatism in both Houses of Con.
gr IS and will doubtless go away
with the feeling that much has
been left to his successor.
The Waterways Convention has
been much in favor of immediate
work for the improvement of nat.
iOnal waterways, and was dispos
ed, as was the President, to raise
money by bond issue to the extent
of five hundred millions of dollars.
But the Speaker of the House, in
one of his characteristic Oratorical
stunts, let it be known that he
would smash any program of that
kind. Uncle Joe evidently con
siders his mission to be mainly
in curbing the mischievous antics
of the younger statesmen, those of
fifty years of age or thereabouts.
He declared emphatically that he
would oppose and vote against
any bond issues for waterways.
All he wonld promise to do was to
support any river and harbor bill
framed by Burton OF Ohio. Until
he appeared on the platform the
convention was having a delight
ful time. Everybody who had
heard of the bond issue scheme,
declared it was the very thing.
ingenious. feasible and sure to go
through. Uncle Joe. however,
compared it to Mother Hubbard
dress that covers everything aud
touches nothing.
Washington during the week
has been full of distinguished men
and most of them have been heard
at Que or more of the conventions.
At the National Conservation
Convention, President Roosevelt,
President-elect Taft, Mr.. Carne
gle, the governors from number
of States. Sam Gompers and John
Mitchell and a number of other
characters were On the stage at
the same time, while in the Wash
lngton Court House, arguing an
appeal from an injunction against
GOmpers, Mitchell and others, was
the erstwhile Democratic candi
date for the presidency four years
ago, Judge Parker, of New York
Unofficial Washington Is much
interested in the prepaI alton for
the inauguration, now but little
more than three months off. The
work appears to be going on very
successfully. A large sum OF
money for incidental expenses has
been subscribed, tine manager OF
the inauguration has been appoint
ed-a well known business man
aud he has appointed treasurer,
SECRETARY aud an advisory com
mittee with numerous assistants.
Tue ceremony and the pageant
are of course Lri,f. The events
are all confined withing twenty
tour hours, but when it is consid-
cred that the city is visited on the
fourth of March every four years,
by from 150, ,OO0 to 200. 900 people.
that these have TO be Accommodated
with bed and board aud temper
ary seats protected from the
weat her, or OF herwise. from which
to view the great civic and mill
tary professions; that it is neces
ssry for the police force to be
greatly strengthened by special
appointment; that detectives have
to be summoned from other cities
to look out for purses and jewelry
OF those who are cafeless or drunk
that great hall has t., be- secured
and decorated for the inaugural
nall, with hat room, cloak rooms,
refreshment rooms aud with many
otner details, the agitation and
interest iu the celebration IA af-
fecting the denizens Of the city
will be appreciated Every Tour
years, Washington becomes more
and more capable Of receivliiE >
transient population nearly equal
in number to its permauent IN
habltants. Since last iuaugura-
ti0n, the New Union Statioil hae
been completed. Ii is one Of fae
largest aud finest termina ais 10 The
world, being greater in length and