Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular CORES ponnsnt

Washington, D. c., March THE
insistent demands of the Democrats
together with final realization that
a contrary course would cost thou
sands of votes on election day have
induced Speaker Cannon to permit
the passage of a resolution providing
for an investigation of Represe nta tive
Lilley's charge of bribery. in conpec.
ton with the appropriation for sub
marine boats. Tue report of the Rules
Committee, which accompanied The
resolution and which set forth the
charges of Mr.. LilIey, merely serves to
excite wonder as to how the Speak er
could have for a moment contemplat
ed suppressing these charges. The
men who are to conduct the investjga.
ton are Representatives Boutell OF
Illinois, Stevens of Minnesota, Olms-
tead of Pennsylvania, Republicans.
and Howard of Georgia and Broussard
OF Louisiana, Democrats 1t is earn
estly hoped, by the Democrats at least.
that they will be able to probe this
matter to the bottom and some Of
them expect that if they do they will
unearth some very unsavory matter.
Apropos of Speaker Cannon, the
news comes from South Carolina that
the two delegates whom it was report
ed that had been elected to the Repub.
lican national convention and in
structed for Cannon were elected at
lake convention composed of a little
group of negroes headed AID managed
by negro who has just completed a
term in Jail. 1t this is the character
of delegates with which the anti-ad
mlnlstration forces purpose to carry
the nation convention against Taft it
will mean, in the judgment of promi-
nent members of Congress, walk
over for Mr.. Bryan.
There is every indication that the
strongest assistants Mr.. Bryan will
have this year are the Republicans
who are seeking to defeat Mr.. Taft in
the race for the nomination. There is
Senator. Crane of Massachusetts, for
instance. He has gone to Boston to try
and prevent delegates being instructed
for Taft. Senator Lodge, on the 9th.
er hand, has come out with a state
ment t 3he effect that he is for Taft.
Everyone who knows Massachusetts is
convinced that if these statesmen once
break the combination by which thew
have SO long controlled the State the
Republican party will 60 down to de
feat in this normally Republican
stronghold, but in the bitterness OF
their opposition neither Lodge nor
Crane appears to take that fact into
So too in New Hampshire. Senator
Galllnger, who is reputed to have been
elected to the Senate through the
friendly assistance of the Boston &
Maine Railroad, is engaged in war to
the knife against Taft. This is all
very well, so far as MIR. Gallinger's per-
sonal interests are concerned, but this
is the sort of warfare which Dem ocra ts
1ave SO often engaged in to their loss
and If t. 9 Republicans can only be in
1uced to keep it up the Democr attic
gains next November will be amazing
both from their extent and from the |
quarters in which they will be made.
Another Senator ihas passed to his
ong rest since the first of this session. |
Senator Proctor of Vermont, died this
week, Senator Latimer died two weeks |
sgo. Probably Senators are not more
'uperstitious than the people, but they
appear to he unable to avoid the
thought. Who will be the third for
ike many other people they believe.
Is rule, that Death always claims it's
7ictims in groups of three.
The House has passed bill reim-
oursiDg the Roman Catholic Church
or damage done by United States SOL
Tiers in the Philippines, the troops
having on many occ asions been obliged
o occupy the churches as the only
Ivailable place of shelter. The total
mount of damages has been fixed at
;4O3, 900, which is the amount carried
y the bill. 1t WAS rather surprising
o hear certain Democratic members,
notably. Jones of Virginia. aud Gar
EFT of Tennessee, speaking in violent
opposition to the bill. Mr.. Jones de-
Jared that be Was opposed to the Uni
ed States paying for ''vestments and
incense pots. y The majority in the
louise, however, took the ground that
did not concern them what the pro
erty was which was destroyed, as long
s it was valued by it's owners, and the
ill was passed by e vote of 1872 to 3.
Reports are reaching Washington ,
'Om all section of the country to the ]
feet that the Democrats are perfect
1g efficient organic atoms in every !
congressional district and are working !
ithout friction and perfect harmony. {
his mean, of course, that the Demo-
Facy will be in position to put up a ,
reat fight in November and the news ;
received with the utmost grati6ca- c
on by the party leaders in the nation I
capital and with no little concern
y the more thoughtful leaders on the i,
her side.