The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-08-14
FRIDAY, AUGUST IA, 1908.
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Bonaparte resignation rumor has
appeared again at Washington and with
more directness and details than before
1t is declared that Mr.. Bonaparte has
made up his mind to leave the Cabinet
Immediately after the November election.
and that Wade H. Ellis of Ohio will be
named by President Roosevelt to succeed
him. Mr.. Ellis at present is attorney
General of his State. He is the man who
Idrew the first draft of the Chicago plat
form.
Some weeks ago Mr.. Ellis was offered
| the position of assistant to the Attorney
General, made vacant by the promotion
of Milton D. Phrdy to Federal Judge
ship. Had he accepted he would have
become the trust. buster-in chief of the
Administration
So far as is known, however, he has
neither accepted or absolutely declined.
One report has it that Ellis thinks that if
he is entitled TO any recognition for his
services In connection with the priting of
the Republican platform, he should be
appointed Attorney General, and not
merely an assistant, and that he is hold
off with view of landing. the larger
plum.
In the report affoat here no spcifc
reason is given for the alleged retirement
of Mr.. Bonaparte.
~
President Davila of Honduras, strongly
resents the attitude of the American
State Department in the pending contro-
versy arising out of the cancellation by
Honduras of the exequaturs of Drew Lin.
ard, United States Consul at Ceiba, and
Virgil c. Reynolds. United States Vice
Consul at that place, and has thrown
down the gauntlet to the State Depart
ment by fatty refusing 10 reconsider his
| action. Honduras will stand by her
guys despite preparations by the State
department to force her hand and under
no conditions, it is announced, will Presi-
dent Davila recede from his position.
~
President Roosevelt is getting into
practice to tackle the big game of Africa
and he's practicing bit on his friends.
Secretary of War Wright and National
Republican Chairman Frank H. Hitch
cock were the victims Saturday. Wright
was roped and muzzled in the most APP.
proved styles and Hitchcock had gag
crammed into his mouth. This was be-
cause the President, like Mark Antony,
had whispered to them some great heart
secrets -
Hitchcock came to Oyster Bay for
orders and got them. He learned Mr..
Roosevelt's latest plans for raising money
for the Taft campaign, his idea as to what
speakers should be put on the stump for.
Taft, and, most important of all, whether
the President intends to allow Governor
Hughes 10 be renominated this fall.
When Hitchcock came there was hope in
the air that he would have some big news
to give out after his conference at Saga
more Hill. When he went away he had
the big news, all right, but he kept his
mouth shut.
General Wright's case was even more
pathetic. In spite of the rebuke that he
got in the Presidents published statement
the other day for forcasting what would
be done in the case of the eight cadets
recently convicted of hazing at West
Point, the Secretary told newspaper men
that he would announce after his confer
ence with the President what was to be
done in the case.
He went to Sycamore Hill in company
with Colonel H. l.. Scott, the superin-
tendent ofthe Military Academy. Gen.
eral Wright urged the President to show
leniency in the case of the cadets; Colonel
Scott held to the opinion that discipline
at the Academy demanded their ex-
pulsion, as directed by the court-martial.
| The President listened TO them while.
they threshed the whole matter out, and
then he rendered his decision. But Geh-
eral Wright was not allowed to announce
it. When he met newspaper men he
said he could not divnlge anything, but
would probably make an official statement
from the War Department later regarding
the cadets. Colonel Scott refused to say
anything, referring his inquirer to the
Secretary of War.
~
Senator Culberson has put squarely up
| to the Administration the question of the
legal right of the railroads TO increase
freight rates by agreement. He contends
they have no such right, and demands of