Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1909-06-03
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON


The Republicans of the House
Monday again took matters into their
own hands, and with a sudden show
of strength passed the Philippine
tariff bill, the consideration Of which
had been concluded two weeks ago,
referred the message of the President
regarding Porto Rican affairs to, the
committee on ways and means, and
devoted some time to a discussion Of
the bill amending the laws Of Porto
Rico, so as to divest the Legislature
Of certain authority by it.
The feature Of the day was a
speech Of considerable length by MI.
Larrinaga, the Porto Rican commits
sioner, vigorously oposing the bill af-
fecting. the island represented by him,
and denouncing the executive council
or upper branch Of the Legislature Of
Porto Rico.
The bill was pending when the
House adjourned until Thursday.
Free lumber was handed a knock
out in the Senate, Mr.. McCumber's
amendment to the tariff bill placing
lumber, a commodity. on the free list,
being defeated by a vote Of % to Sc.
The post Of minister to China was
rendered to John Hays Hammond by
President Taft during a conference
at the White House and was definite
ly declined by Mr.. Hammond.
Senator Frazier, of Tennessee,
Tuesday received a telegram from
the attorney Of Luther Williams, one
Of the defendants in the e. D. John
son lynching contempt case, saying
that he would voluntarily come to
Washington to receive the sentence Of
the Supreme Court of the United
States, and asking that no effort be
made to serve the writ Of arrest in
Tennessee. Mr.. Frazier thinks that
all the defendants will pursue that
course and that they will surrender
themselves here, if permitted to do so.
The tie-up on the Georgia Railroad
because Of the striking iremen on
that system adds greater concern t,
officials Of the postofice Department
as each LAY passes. The only inter-
est the department has in the matter
is the prompt despatch of the mails
along that line, and the inability to
do SO occasions considerable anxiety.
Every effort is being made to prompt
ly despatch the mails, when train SER
vice is resumed. Reports are coming
to the department from business men
and others all along the Georgia
Railroad, indicating that the lack of
mail facilities is proving a source Of
great Inconvenience, not to mention
business loss.
The confirmation Of Judge Conner
for the Eastern Circuit to succeed
Judge Purnell in North Carolina took
place Wednesday afternoon.
The council Of fine. arts, created BY
President Roosevelt, and which was
to have charge Of the Identification Of
Washington, to pass upon the designs
OF government buildings, etc., was
abolished by President Taft Tuesday
IN an executive order. This actor
was required by the last sundry civi
bill, which failed to appropriat.
money for expenses or salaries Of any
of the commissions, created by Presi
dent Roosevelt without the consen
Of Congress.
President Taft's cabinet decide,
Friday that the fremen's strike OF
the Georgia Railroad was seriou
enough to demand immediate adjust
ment and that Chairman Knapp, O
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and Second Assistant Postmaste
General Stewart should go at once t
Atlanta. Both left Washington Fri
day night.
Sugar and tobacco were, dispose
Of by the Senate during the consid
eraticn Of the tariff schedules. TIL
agricultural schedule also was take,
up. A sharp attack by Senator Ba
con, who charged the reading cler
with being in collision with the Re
publican leaders in an effort to shu
off debate, and a general tariff speec
by Senator Stone were features Q
the days session.