The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-06-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON, D. c., JUNE goth, 19Oo.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Washing is much
elated over the nomination of Secretary
Taft for the Presidency on the Repub-
lican ticket. The Secretary has many
friends in this city who are delighted
with his success and it is generally con-
ceded that the Republican party has
nominated its strongest man; one in
whom the Republicans will be glad to
note the qualities that are most admired
in public men, and one whom Democrats
will find not great deal to criticise. 1t
is now suggested that the lesson of the
Chicago convention should not be lost
at Denver. The Republicans wrestled
vigorously among themselves, but at
the critical time they got together and
they never for a moment forgot that
their chief enemy was not among them
selves, but in the opposition. Above
all things else they desired success. 1t
is declared that if the Democrats at
Denver will act upon this hint, the
campaign of 1908 will be full of old time
fire and enthusiasm, and the country
will profit by struggle of well matched
giants; that the Democratic party must
nominate its strongest man on strong
platform, if its expects to make head
way against the ticket nominated At
Chicago. Will the Denver convention
weld together the contending elements
and unite under the leadership OF a
strong. clean candidate? is now the
question with which politicians are con-
corning themselves.
The announcement of the resignation
of John Sharp Williams of Mississippi,
Democratic floor leader in the House,
as minority leader, position he has held
since the fifty-eight Congress. has created
much comment in political circles. Mr..
Williams ability as statesman and an
orator is recognized by all parties and
he has made quite reputation as leader
of the minority.
In some quarters it is assumed that
Mr.. Bryan's running mate will come
from the east, and several local celebri-
ties are being mentioned for the Vice
Presidency. One of those mentioned is
of German extraction and the claim is
put forth that if nominated he will
draw the whole German American vote
to the ticket However, this IS vote
that does its own thinking and is not
amendable to bosses. Mr.. Bryan's
friends claim that he has been too long
in politics to be duped by talk of the
German vote, the Irish, Scandinavian,
or that of any other nationality.
Senator Foraker, of Ohio, the adimis-
tration's bitterest opponent in the Re-
publican ranks, was one of the first
members of that party in Washington
to annouce his allegiance to Secretary
Taft, after the news of the nomination
reached him, and when he was informed
of the nomination of Representative
Sherman for the Vice Presidency. said
he thought it was happy choice. And
this is the great secret of Republican
success, said prominent Democrat, the
burial of personal apimosities for the
success of the party.
The edict has gone forth and the old
historic Pennsylvania railroad station
in this city where President Garfield re-
ceived his mortal ound will be soon
numbered among the things that were.
President Roosevelt is most anxious to
have that building removed from the
mall with the greatest expedition posi-
bic and Secretary Taft, while waiting
for the returns from Chicago, gave this
matter his attention and wrote a short
order to the engineer officer in charge
of public buildings and grounds, in
structing him to see that the Presidents
wishes were carried out with the least
possible delay.
Dr. H. W. Wiley, the government
chemist and pure food expert will soon
discharge his "poinson squad" the end
of their enlistment being near at hand.
A new army, as Dr.. Wiley calls his
volunteers, will be enlisted in Deem
Der or January, if. the plans of the
bureau are not changed. In speaking
of the experiments DR.. Wiley said. ave
are arriving at definite conclusions, but
of course there is an enormous amount
of data to be prepared before anything
can be published"
The Navy Department is being besieg-
ed by the firms who supply paint which
is applied to the bottom of ships of war.
Under a recent decision OF the Navy
Department it is possible to extend the
placing of contracts for this material, Of
which the government purchases large
quantity every year, so as to remove the
restriction of purchases and avoid the
monopoly which the Navy Department
has Hitherto appeared to encourage, by
virtue of the commercial situation
Hereafter ships hull may be painted
with any of four, or five brands of paint
which have been determined by experts
to be sufficiently alike to make their use
possible. This will do much to relieve
the Department of the rivalry among
the paint dealers. The Navy Depart
ment is about to invite bids for the first
time nder general specifications which
will permit free competition, and it is
expected that the paint for the ships
bottoms will cost considerable less than
has heretofor been the case. 1t is the
expectation that about fourth OF
million pounds of this paint will be
purchased within the next few months
for use on the ships now preparing on
the Pacific coast for the remainder Of
their long cruise of igation.