Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-05-08
SPARKLING NOTES
FROM WASHINGTON,
by Special Correspondence, Washington, ID
Nav


The United States Senate. with its
two-thirds Republican majority, has
backed up the House of Representatives
III refusing to follow the recommended
ton of President Roosevelt for four
new battle ships. Only 10 Republican
Senator'S voted for this most ardent rec
ommendetion of a Republican President.
That the Republican leaders in both
Houses of Congress are opposed to most
of the new legislation recommended by
the President shows the Decentralization
and fractional differences that prevail in
the councils of the G. 0. P. There has
been nothing like it since Mr.. Cleveland
and Congress disagreed over the finan-
cial issue.
President Roosevelt's latest message.
again recommending most important
Legislation, is received by Congress with
cool disdain and Speaker Cannon re-
ferred it to that cemetery of Roosevelt
ideas, the Committee on the Judiciary.
john Sharp Williams, the Democratic
| leader, protested and declared it was
the first time that a Presidents mes
sage was referred to one standing COM
mlttee when it contained provisions that
properly could only be referred to the
respective Committees having jurisdic-
ton.
The fractional fight in the Republican
party is the Democratic opportunity.
No such a chance for success has been
offered since the disastrous route of 1896.
The wheelof political fortune is evidently
shifting, and the panic of last year has
shown the voters that the Republican
party is not the advance agent of pros
perity, and that tariff protection does
not insure the smiles of fortune, or a
full dinner pail. From all former polit-
ical experience this is a Democratic
year. 1t remains for Democrats to take
advantage of their opportunities and get
| together for success. There are lions
enough in the path of Democratic sue
cess to be vanquished to require the
utmost wisdom and foresight. The
Hearst apostacy must be met and pro-
vided against. He has just launched
his new party, after being nourished
and fed at a Democratic home since his
birth. United Democracy will be an in
SEPARATION to all classes, and especially to
the conservative element, and will allay
the present distrust and lack of conf
dence in the future.
1t Is reported that this country is to
invade Venzuela with an army of 5000
or 10000 men. Our General Staff
seems to have forgotten General Brad
docks experience in similar under
taking among the mountains of Western
Pennsylvania, and the experience of the
British in the Boer war. A war with
VENEZUELA would be a costly and futile
enterprise; but it might help to elect q
Republican President; and assist the
grasping and corrupt Asphalt Trust.
The friends of Governor Johnson ap-
pear to feel confident of his nomination
at Denver, and although they may be
over sanguine, there is no doubt that
over one-third of the delegates to the
convention will be uninstructed. besides
those from Delaware, who have beer
instructed for Judge Gray, and the del.
egation from Minnesota. Senator Cul.
berson is also being pushed to the front
by enthusiastic friends, but whethe,
Texas will be instructed for him, since
he does not seek the honor, is uncertain
The friends of Judge Judson Harmon
carried Cincinnati over the supporters
of Mr.. Bryan by very large majority
and it is claimed the Ohio State conven.
ton will instruct for Judge Harmon.
If a reasonable number of Repub-
lican members request it, Speaker Can.
non agrees that the bill for free wooc
pulp and print paper will be discussed
at the caucus. That is quite a conces.
sion from Uncle Joe. Republican Con.
gressmen are still standing pat for the
Trusts, the universal kick of the news.
paper publishers about the tariff pro-
tecting the paper combine notwithstand
ing.
The Presidents latest bull is a de-
mand 'for immediate action in revisins
the tariff at the hands of the Congress
elected next fall This is genuine cas-
uistical hocus pocus for you.
The Taft boomers declare tits all over
but the shouting, but then ''the allies
claim Taft will not be nominated. SO
there you Republicans are-still up in
the air.
The Washington Times states pow
erful forces hold Speaker Cannon re-
sponsible for the do-nothing Congress,
and have determined to GUST him." The
only way to defeat Cannon is to elect a
| Democratic Congress.
The press is beginning to criticise
Secretary Taft very sharply for spend
ing his time running about the country
hunting delegates instead of attending
to the duties of his office as Secretary
of war. Having fixed the Republican
nomination to suit himself, he has
started for Panama to readjust things
in the canal zone While he is away
Teddy will run the War Department as
well as the campaign matters.
SOME TEMPERANCE NOTES.
Hon. T. A. ,Jett is deleoate from, tba