Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-05-02
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON
Especial Correspondence.)

Meyer Home Still Guarded-Post
master-General Meyers handsome res,
ldence at Connecticut avenue and s
street, Northwest, is still being
watched by the Washington police.
Three bluecoats, each on duty eight
hours, have been detailed to guard the
residence for fear anarchists might at
tempt to wreak vengeance upon the
head of the postoffice department be-
cause of the suppression of LA Ques-
tione Sociale," an incendiary paper,
formerly printed in Paterson, N. j.
Mr.. Meyer did not ask for the protec-
ton, but the head of the police depart
ment thought it best to take the pre-
caution.
Liability Bill a Law-President
Roosevelt signed the employers liabil-
lty bill, upon receiving an opinion
from Attorney General Bonaparte that
the measure was constitutional. The
bill makes railroads or other common
carriers, while engaged in interstate
commerce, liable for the injury or
death Of an employe if the injury or
death results, in whole or in part, from
the negligence Of any Of the officers,
agents or employees of such carriers,
or by reason of any defect or INSULT
cheney in equipment. This provision is
made applicable also to carriers in
the territories, the District of Colum-
bia, the Panama canal zone and other
possessions Of the United States.
Receives Japanese Decoration-The
Emperor Of Japan, through Ambassa-
dor Takahira, has conferred upon Col.
Charles A. Boynton, superintendent Of
the southern division of The Associ-
ated Press. the decoration Of the
fourth class of the Imperial Order of
the Rising Sun. In transmitting the
decoration, which is an exquisite pro-
duct of the Japanese art, the ambassa-
dor stated that it was given in token
Of the good will entertained toward
Colonel Boynton by the emperor, and
In manifestation of the appreciation Of
the high ability and fairness Of Mr..
Boynton in the exercise Of his func-
tions as directing spirit in the great
news concern which he represents.
Senator a Rapid TaIker-Senator
Clarke of Arkansas has a way OF
speaking which gives the official re-
porters trouble. There are very few
ears about the senate sufficiently
trained to catch distinctly every word
that falls from the Arkansas senator's
dps in the course of a speech. He
starts with a strongly emphasized
phrase and before his audience catches
nim again he has skipped along a SEN
:ence or two in an easy conversation
al tone. The senator is the despair
Of the Congressional Record force.
There is no other man in congress
who talks as rapidly as he. When
he rises to his feet two expert stem
Dgraphers "get busy" They take his
remarks in duplicate from different
angles Of the senate chamber and then
compare results.
Arbitration Treaties Ratified-Gen-
sral arbitration treaties with Great
Britain and Spain were ratified by
with treaties heretofore ratified with
France, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland,
Norway and Portugal. Some opposition
has been expressed to the treaty
with Great Britain on the ground that
It gave special privileges to that coun-
try and protests against it have been
received in the senate. These came
from Americans of Irish descent, and
proceeded from an understanding that
The treaty was drafted after form
lsed in declaring arbitration agree
ments with other countries. The sem
ate considered in executive session
the Canadian boundary treaty, but no
agreement could be reached concern
ing 1t. The treaty provided for the re-
Affirmation of the established bound
aries and the marking Of the line.
Advance in Consular Reform--The
organization in the state department
Of a sub-department of the east is
Dnly an advance step in the program
of consular reform which Secretary
Root has long been working upon.
IN this effort. Progress has not re-
uuired the spectacular demonstrations
characteristic of reforms. But Secre-
kary Root has been working quietly
and steadily with a definite purpose
In Wow. That purpose has been to re-
organize the consular representation
Of the United States into co-ordin-
ated and effective body, In full har-
mony with the higher diplomatic SER
vice, and of recognized service and
value to the commercial interests OF
the country. Secretary Roots services
for consular reform are by no means
the least of his services for the coun-
try during his term of official life.
Up in an Army 5alloon-Theodore
Roosevelt, Jr., recently made an as
cension in the big army balloon OF
the war department, accompanied by
Captain Charles Def. Chandler and
Captain Fitzhugh Lee Of the army. 1t
had been rumored that Mrs. Nicholas
Longworth would make the ascent,
put, although she was present when
the balloon started on its flight, she
aid not accompany the aeronauts. 1t
is said her husband persuaded her at
the last moment not to go. The bal
loon, after being released, rushed to
the northeast before fresh breeze
and grazed the telegraph wires along
The railroad tracks. The large bag also
bumped with considerable force
against the high embankment just
above the tracks. and for moment
It appeared as If the occupants of the
basket might be dumped to the earth.
Captain Chandler, however, by casting
ballast, succeeded in getting the bal
loon to right itself and 1t soon shot
Upward, taking a northeasterly course.
Tho hal1oo, dascended naar delaware