Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-05-22
SPARKLING NOTES
FROM WASHINGTON.

L N,
ID. C.. May 2O)
Foraker has surrendered to the Presi-
dent He moved to pass by his Browns
VILE investigation until next winter.
He played bluff and the President
called his presidential boom, and it ex-
ploded. To keep his seat in the Senate
the Ohio fire-eater had to call off his
opposition to Taft and back rack on the
Brownsville negro proposition.
In consequence of this practically do
nothing Congress, large number of
Republican Congressman will wend
their way home with but little heart to
face their outraged constituents, ,especi-
ally those whose districts are close and
doubtful. Many of these already see
their Democratic opponents looks of
delight at the standpat policy these
Republican members have endorsed and
voted for; the gag rules adopted to pre-
vent the Democrats from discussing
and amending measures, and with all
that, the lack of practical legislation.
The Democrats have worked together
as one man under their able leader.
John Sharpe Williams, whose constant
victories in debate over all the Repub-
lican leaders has united the Democrats
IN their legislative program without
hitch
The petition of all the Democratic
members of Congress and Mr.. Parker.
OF South Dakota, Republican. to
Speaker Cannon, asking for considera-
ton of the bill to put wood pulp and
print paper on the free list, will receive
about as little attention as other reform
measures.
Is the President independent of Con-
gress In the command of the army and
navy? This is the newest issue in
politics.
The President has assured the Pros
perity Association that nothing serious
Will happen to the railroads before
the election. Mr.. Hartman may now
proceed to raise another $3.50, ZOO cor
ruptIon fund for the G.. o. P. He and
Teddy are practical men. The railway
men are in quandary whether to cut
wages or raise rates. To cut wages
means labor strikes and disaster to
their friends, the Republican leaders.
and to raise rates means to make the
people madden than ever. Why not
reduce rates?
The two Republican factions in Con-
gress are divided between Roosevelt and
anti-Roosevelt, with the latter holding
control, both through the organization
and by numbers. The Cannon machine
intends to pass only such legislation as
tue leaders are compelled to, but the
constant prodding by the President has
so scared the members from the close
and doubtful districts. that enough of
them may break away from the machine
program and unite with the Democrats
to pass some reform measures.
The real fight in the Denver conven-
ton will be over the abolition of the
two-third nominating rule. In the
Presidential campaign of 1900. Mr..
Bryan was the apparent choice of nearly
every Democrat in the United States.
East, West, North and South. The
Democratic Conventions Of nearly all the
States instructed their delegates to vote
Tor his nomination. Maryland, Della
ware and New Jersey, which are now
against him, while they did not then
instruct for him, acknowledged him as
the undisputed leader of the Democratic
party. New York and PENNSYLVANIA.
which are now against him, then in
structed for him. The same is true of
Minnesota and Michigan. In 1900 he
was nominated by the convention on the
first ballot; but such thing is impossi-
bic this year; and his friends, evidently
with his appreciation. are seeking to
bring about the abolition of the two
thirds rule by a bare majority. To do
so would be folly; for it would only ac-
centuate the prevailing opinion that
with Mr.. Bryan as the candidate defeat
would be inevitable.
President Roosevelt and the Republi-
can managers are said to be much per
turbed over the growth of the boom
for Governor Johnson as the Democratic
candidate for President. To White
House caller the President is reported
by the Brooklyn Eagle as submitting a
number of searching questions regard
ing the probability of the nomination of
Gov. johnson. He has all along con-
tended that Taft could easily defeat Mr..
Bryan. says the Eagle, .'but is not so
sure that Taft can put johnson out of
the running"
The Vreeland currency bill has pas
sed the House of Representatives. 1t is
characterized by Democratic critics
as political rather than a currency
emergency bill.
Congress votes to supply 100, 600
pounds of tobacco for the navy. Last
years supply proved not half enough.
Secretary of War Taft is back in
Washington from Panama, smiling and
bland, and is reported as saying that
the canal may be finished in three years.
Congress has declined to allow the
widow of General Fitzhugh Lee that
$50 month pension. The opposition
said it would establish precedent that
would cost the country $500, OOO, 900 a
year, Mrs. Lee is reported as in need
of the money.
FISH AND OYSTER NOTES.