The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1908-03-20

committees are now being had, and
the vociferous differences of opinion
and frequently scorching language
makes sport for as many of the
ribald and ungodly as can crowd
within hearing distance. The hear
ings will likely drag along till near
the close of the session, and then if
a report is made at all it will be in
favor of local option or against
prohibition fiat.
The senate committee on Naval
affairs has been holding a series OF
hearings to get at the truth oil
falsity of the charges of gross and
criminal incapacity in the construc.
ton of recently built warships, and
vast amount of testimony has
been taken. 1t will very likely bt
found that the charges in the mair
have not been substantiated, but il
order to promote efficiency" anC
make the bunch aware that they
have been looked into it is probable
that they will be sharply lacked W
with a few hot recommendation
and reprimands. Then the gold
laced crowd will keep comparatively
quiet for a while, before they re
sumo their usual pastime of chewing
each others ears. The latest phase
of the eternal government printing
office squabble is the hot opposition
to the appointment of Rossiter, the
census expert, to the position OF
public printer. After Stillings' sus.
pension Rossiter was detailed tc
investigate conditions there, and
made so good a job of it that the
president wants him to stay. Oh
course it was felt to be the duty OF
some element to make a kick
against this, and the lot fell to the
labor unions. The law says that
the incumbent must be a practical
printer and bookbinder, and they
allege that he isn't. Hence these
tears. The only thing that can be
safely predicted is that the office
will remain in a turmoil. That is
its destiny.
That all the world calls at the
capitol is demonstrated by the cos
mopolitan character of its daily
visitors. Friday the British am
bassador fioated past me into the
private reception room, and immed
lately afterwards half-dozen New
Mexican Indians stalked gloomily
past in single file on a tour of inspec-
ton. Then came a Turk in a red
fez, followed by the ladies of a
senator's family with a petite little
japanese lady in native costume in
their party. Soon a guide made the
rounds with a party of foreigners,
one of whom was an Egyptian Arab
swathed in his national costume.
In few minutes a party of china
men wandered in sight, in blue and
yellow silk garments and felt shoes.
Next pair of dapper little Japanese
gentlemen in frock coats and silk
hats come up the elevator. Then
some more Indians in blankets and
feathers, two or three Brazilian
Portuguese making a tour of the
world, an attache of the Spanish
the Persian ambassadors
little boy with his attendant and an
Old-time plantation darkey, bent
and twisted with age, looking for
the janitor's room. To wind up
with, the French ambassadors bus
tied up and requested me to produce
'or him the "galleree diplomatique."
How is that for a midway? Some
thing like the Streets of Cairo,
except that donkeys take the place
If eamels.
OF the contest for the presidential
nomination, of course nothing def
lite can be said as to the present
strength of any candidate. The
situation everywhere is at present
obscured by the fatuous
,oasts and silly claims of the
and nobody can tell where
nonsense leaves off and truth begins
if it begins at all If | were to
ell you what rather close observa-
ion here has led me to believe, you
would refuse to give it credence
Inless it conceded with your own
pinions. Therefore it is best to
let nature take its course. " | will
ay, nevertheless, that the tide
ppears to be turning in favor of
ninstructed delegations, especially
n the eastern and New England
tates. The published tables of
elegates already instructed or
assured" for any one candidate
re absolutely unreliable and are
eered at here. The sober second
bought is bringing about the reali-
alton that a delegation gagged and
led neck and heels one, two or three
lonths before the time of the con-
ention is simply a case of a state
Ding off at half-cock, weeks before
he game is in sight Whatever
lay be the change in sentiment and
this labeled and ticketed
unch has lost its individuality and
an no longer claim a mind of its
wn. This is both a pitiable and
condition.
Some time ago | advised YOU to
ote carefully the political opera
ons of Senator Crane Of Massachu-
tits. said Of him then that he