The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-02-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.


The prominence accorded by the Press
to the resignation Of Secretary Root and
the discussion of the subject by public
men and journalists is merely expressive
Of the great influence he has had on
public affairs during his ten years. resi-
dence in Washington. That he will con-
tinue to influence public affairs from a
different but no less important standpoint
is matter generalization to the country at
large. It has been long indeed since the
greatest state of the Union has had an
equally great representative on The floor
of the Senate. But Elihu Root can never
be merely a representative of even SO
great state as New York. He has had
too much to do with national aud inter
national affairs to become merely a
provincial representative. In his recent
address in Albany. he said that he would
advocate parcels post if New York State
was in favor of it. That New York State
will be in favor of it, there cannot be the
slightest doubt, and Mr.. Root doubtless
knew this when he made the remark.
The man whom he succeeds in the Senate
has long been known as the representa-.
tive of the express companies-the COM
panies that have skinned the cream of
the postal profits and left the nation a
yearly deficit. The Post Office Depart.
tr1auf NTH ite t1,<,..ou d. - .....N.-..:.
bringing letters and newspapers to so
many homes, might with immense help.
fulness to farmers and suburbanites and
immense profit to the nation, deliver
parcels as is done in England, Germany.
France and in every other civilized coun.
try in the world
*.*
Washington is busy with preparation
for the inauguration ceremonies which
will take place in scarcely more than a
month from now Everything has been
prearranged except the weather. The
fourth of March is down in the weather
reports for disagreeable day and mum
Der of ineffective attempts have been
made to change the Inauguration day to
another date. 1t is understood that there
will be condensation of the procession
or parade which has on previous occa.
sions been far too long drawn out. The
Avenue is wide and seventy. five or
hundred men can easily march abreast on
If Curh hoe haas1 4ta no ,,;t., of .:.,:. 80
military organizations for conspicuous
ness, that some have actually insisted on
marching single file. causing the specta-
tors on the Avenue to wait frequently
three or four hourssnntil the whole pro.
cession passed.
The President, it is said, will make
breach in the old custom of riding with
his successor to aud fiom the Capitol.
He will. il is understood, accompany the
President-elect to the Capitol and see
him inaugurated, but instead of return
idg with him to the White House, will
make Decline for the Union Station and
thence to Oyster Bay, sailing few days
thereafter from New York to Mediter.
ranean port on his way to Africa. The
President announced this program few
days ago when he accepted the offer of the
New York Republican Committee to act
as his escort on the route from the Capt..
toll to the station.
~
The leaders of the Senate and of the
House have held conference with ref
erence to the legislative program for the
reminding thirty days Of this session and
it is plain that their purpose is not to per.
nit the enactment of any general iegis.
laticn beyond the appropriation bills. 1t
has been the intention of the House to
pass statehood bills for Arizona and New
Mexico, but the Senate does not favor
this action. The time for conyening the