The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-03-13
OUR WASHINGTON LETT ELK

WASHINGTON, D. c. MARCH 18th, 1908.
Mr.. EDJToR:-The insistent demands
of the Democrats together with a final
realization that contrary course would
cost thousands of votes on election day
have induced Speaker Cannon to per-
nit the passage of a resolution prOVld-
ing for An investigation of Representa-
tive Lilley's charges of bribery, in con-
nection with the appropriation for sub
marine boats. The report of tho Rules
Committee, which accompanied the res
olution and which set forth the charges
of Mr.. Lilley, merely serves to excite
wonder as to how the Speaker could
have for moment contemplated sup
pressing these charges. The men who
are TO conduct tbs investigation are
Representative Boutell Of Illinois.
Stevens of Minnesota, Olmste ad OF
Pennsylvania, Republi cans, and How
ard of Georgia and Broussard Of Louis
ana, Democrats. 1t is earnestly hoped,
by the Democrats, at least, that they
will be able to probe this matter to the
bottom and some of them expect that II
they do they will unearth some very
unsavory matter.
Apropos of Speaker Cannon, tn Q
news comes from South Carolina that
the two delegates whom it was reported
had been elected to the Republican nat
1onal convention and Instructed for
Cannon were elected at fake conven-
ton com posed of a little group Of mes
groes headed and managed bv a negro
who has just completed a term in Jail.
If this is the character of delegates with
which the anti administration forces
purpose to carry the nation convention
against Taft it will mean, in the judg-
ment of prominent members Of Con-
gress, walk over for MIR. 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 pre-
vent delegates being instructed for Taft.
Senator Lodge, on the other hand, has
come out with statement to the effect
that he is for Taft. Everyone who
knows Massachusetts is convin ced that
these two statesmen once break the
combination by which they have so long
controlled the State the Republican
party will go down to defeat in this
normally Republican stronghold, but In
the bitterness of their opposition Meth
er Lodge nor Crane appears to take that
fact into consideration.
So too in New Hampshire. Senator
Gallinger, who is reputed to have been
elected to the Senate through the friend
ly assistance of the Boston and Maine
Railroad, is engaged in war to the knife
against Taft This is all very well. so
far as Mr.. Gnllinger's personal interests
are concerned, but this is the sort Of
warfare which Democrats have so Of
ten engaged - % their loss and if the
Repu' a. can only be induced to
keep II up the Democratic gains next
November will be amazing both from
their extent and from the quarters in
which they will be made.
The House has passed bill rcim-
bursting the Roman Catholic Church for
damage done by United States soldiers
in the Philippines, the troops having on
many occasions been obliged to occupy
the churches as the only available place
of shelter The total amount Of dam
ages has been fixed at $4G3,0 900, which
is the amount carried by the bill. 1t
was rather surprising to hear certain
Democratic members, notably, Jones of
Virginia, and Garrett of Tennessee,
speaking in violent opposition to the
bill. Mr.. Jones declared that he was
opposed to the United States paying for
'vestments and increse pots" The
majority in the house, however took the
ground that it did not concern them
what the property was which was de,
stroyed, as long as it was valued by its
owners, and the bill was passed by q
vote of 1872 to 3.
Another Senator has passed to his
long rest since the first of this session.
Senator Proctor of Vermont died this
week, Senator Latimer died two weeks
ago. Probably Senators are not more
superstitious than other people, but
they appear to be unable to avoid the
thought, "Who will be the third?" for
like many other people they believe, as
rule. that Death always claims its vic
TINS in groups of three.
Reports are reaching Washington
from all sections of the country to the
effect that the Democrats are perfecting
efficient organizations in every Con-
gressional district and are working
without friction and in perfect har-
mony. This means, of course, that the
Democracy will be in position to put
I'D great fight in November and the
news is received with the utmost graft
fcation by the party leaders in the nat
ioual capita and with no little concern
by the more thoughtful lexders on the