The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-12-17
NOTES FROM
THE CAPITAL.
What Washington Is Talking
About at Present.
The HOUSE OF GOVERNORS.


January-some Congressman Not IL
Favor of Such an Organization-How
the Tafts Stroll About-CuIberson
Resignation.
Washington, Dec. o. Especial -
There is a certain fountain beside
Pennsylvania avenue, about midway
between the capitol and the White
House, that has been erected to the
cause of temperance. 1t is more than
a fountain, being deliberately carved
and doubtless beautiful withal. l say
doubtless" for l am not sure, never
having seen it all at one time. When
ever ] have passed by there has been
a crowd packed around 1t listening to
some street orator. Evidently it is a
free forum. this temperance memorial,
and is dedicated to cold water and hot
air.
The Nation and the State.
There is much talk here of the house
Of governors, which il to meet in
Washington from the 18th to the Goth
of January, and the comments are not
all friendly. Some congressman pro-
fess to believe that the new body may
encroach on the federal preserves.
Those who have advocated the institu-
ton Of the house of governors have
taken quite a different view of its
functions, believing 1t can ill in be-
tween the powers that are strictly fed
eral in their character and those which
are usually exercised by the states. In
the very nature of the case the body
would be purely advisory. 1t has al
ready had two meetings, both at the
call Of President Roosevelt. This time
the invitation comes from Governor
Wilson of Kentucky, and there is
even some question of propriety as to
asking the president at all for the very
reason that it is desired TO keep the
national and state governments entire
~ distinct. The two meetings before
held had as their chief topic the con-
servation of natural resources. This
will always be an issue before the
house of governors If the body should
become a fixture: but. in addition,
many other topics will be taken up,
such as uniformity of marriage and
divorce laws. extradition, criminal
statutes, railroad and trust regulation
and similar measures belonging to the
states in contradistinction to the ma
tional government.
1t is easy to see how such a congress
of executives could do much good in
filling up the gap. the somewhat shad-
owy borderland left by the constitution
between the nation and the state. 1t
certainly can occasion no harm. since
the governors can do nothing more
than recommend to their respective
legislatures. in which II lodged the
final power of action.
II Runs In tho Family.
Not only does President Taft stroll
about the streets of Washington like
any other individual, but Mrs. Taft
follows the example. At least she
walks when going shopping on +
street. One day last week she and her
sister, Mrs. Laughlin. trudged cheer
fully from store to store on that shop
ping thoroughfare and just as blithely
tramped back TO the White House in
time for luncheon. This may shock
some of our near" aristocracy. but
will warm the cookies of the true
American heart wherever it beats. Or,
rather. 1t is so much as 1t should be
that 1t need not cause even a thrill.
but should he taken as matter of
course.
New Senate Leader.
Regret Is expressed on all sides that
i'll health should cause Senator Culber-
son to resign the minority leadership
of the senate. He doubtless found the
Democrats a rather hard bunch to lead
during the extra session tariff fight,
each individual senator showing fire.
quent disposition TO vote as he "bloom-
in well pleased" but 1 hope his III
health is in nowise due to that nerve
racklng experience. In the main Sen
ator Culberson proved himself a mild
and gentle leader that every
body liked. The elevation Of Senator
Money to the vacant leadership is a
extended In the close of
his term, as he gives way at the end
Of this congress to John Sharp VII
liams, former minority leader.
Usual Crop Of Contests.
There are FIVE contests for seats in
the house of representatives-one in
Louisiana. where II. c. Wannoth is
seeking the seat OF Albert Estopinal;
two in South Carolina. where A. z.
seeks the seat Of George s.
Legare and II. II. Richardson that Of
Asbury r. Lever; one in Virginia. that
Of J. NJ. Parsons against Edward W.
and one in Massachusetts. in
which j. Mitchell Calvin seeks TO I'M
seat Joseph +. O'Conne.l. In the Mas
sachusetts case the election was quite .
close.
The PAIRING Of Pork"
The national rivers and harbors con-
rress. which Is in session at the New
Willard. has for one Of its chief de-
mands that no waterway improve
ment shall be entered upon By the
that has not the approval
~ fh.. on~-fnaorfn- eorY,s after careful