Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-05-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.

from Our Soi i97SEohuch'-I
Washington, ID. G., May 23.-The
defeat of the ship subsidy provision of
the postot1ice appropriation bill caused
the greatest excitement in the House.
The outburst of wild applause follow
ing the announcement of the result OF
the vote was led by the solid Demo-
cratic side of the House and was hearth
ly joined in by those Republicans who
had voted "NO." As result the post
office appropriation bill is returned to
conference, but the advocates OF the
ship subsidy have not lost all hope.
Those Republican leaders who were
at first disposed to treat with levity the
discretionary tactics of John Sharp
Williams and his lieutenants, are now
angered at them, and there is percepti-
bly, feeling of dissatisfaction in the
ranks of the minority. All of the leg
islators are anxious to get away from
Washington as soon as possible and
the expectation is that considerable
pressure will be brought to bear upon
Mr.. Williams to induce him to desist
| from further obstruction in order to
permit of adjournment by Monday at
the latest.
In the House this week a bill was
passed establishing in the Department
of the Interior bureau of mines. A
commissioner of mines is authorized
and the bill provides that it shall be
the duty of the bureau and its commits
sioner to promote and develop the min
ing industries of the United States; tC
make investigation of methods OF min
ing, safety of miners, possible improve
ment of conditions, the treatment Of
ores, use of explosives and electricity,
prevention of accidents, the values OF
mineral products, and markets fol
them. The bureau is to make reports
of the work, Investigations, and in
formation obtained from time to time
as the Secretary of the department may
direct, with the recommendations o
the bureau.
A bill has been passed by the Senate
to prevent the dissertation of the flag o
the United States, with an amendment
providing that its restrictions shall no
apply to banners or flags carried by
military or patriotic organizations au
thorized by law.
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations has voted to report favOrabl.
two treaties with Japan for the prOtec
: ton of American trade marks, patent
and copyrights in Manchuria ant
Korea, and Japanese trade marks, pa
tents and copyrights in the Unite'
States. The treaties were signed at tn
State Department on Wednesday O
this week by Assistant Secretary o
State Bacon and Ambassador Takahira
Prominent politicians here are dis
cussing the movement inaugurated il
New York city recently to urge tn
nomination of Southern man on tn
Democratic ticket for the Vice Presi
dency. At this meetingit was decides
that the time had come when it wa
necessary to disprove the theory tina
there was no Presidential or Vice Pres
, Dental timber available south of tn
Mason and Dixon line. Such men a
Senator Culberson of Texas; Senate
. Daniels of Virginia; eX-United State
+ Senator Carmack of Tennessee, an
others have been considered but it
understood that they will not permi
=, their names to be used for the secon
place on the ticket.
The customary rush at the end {
S Congress in signing bills has begun 8
t the White House, and there are man
S callers making inquiries as to th
/ status of bills. Representative Langle
: of Kentucky was one of the numerou
S callers and brought with him pc
: made from big quill from the win
: of Kentucky mountain eagle an
e decorated with small red, white an
f blue ribbon, with which he asked tn
: President to sign his pet bill. Th
t President not only happily compile
S but with the quill wrote the fOllowin
message: "To the city of Jackson, Ky
With the regards of Theodore Roos'
!. Welt" The bill provided that a teri
e of the United States district coul
+ should he held at Jackson, Ky.
y When Admiral Evans, plainly SHOW
' ing the effects of his illness, called o
t President Roosevelt this week, he We
e most cordially received and the Pres
4 dent expressed regret that Congress ha
not seen fit to create the office of vic,
admiral as a reward for the long an
splendid service of the sick Admiral.