The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-01-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.


for contempt TO Zone year, nine months
and six months respectively confinement
in jail. All three of them are well known
here and Gompers and Morrison have
long been residents the city. Mitchell
has been conspicuously honored by the
President and recently at the convention
of the Governors at the White House he
was photographed sitting at the right
hand OF the President while Carnegie was
on his left. Since the sentence was
pronounced kilograms and letters have
been pouring in upon the President from
labor leaders and organizations through
out the country evidently assuming that
the President has power to interfere with
decision of the court. This lamentable
ignorance on the part of the leaders Of
labor organizations doubtless explains a
great deal of their loose talking and law
less acting. A little knowledge of law if
they were capable of digesting it would
do much to clarity murky minds and
temper loose language. Judge Wright's
remark in his decision that it was the
duty of liiigant to obey an injunction
even if he believed it to be unjust and
oppressive was doubtless novel propo-
sition to them as it is of course to all
lawless and illiterate people. The Ian
guage of the decision was remarkable
and its great length, covering over
seventy pages of typewriter paper, re-
quired over two hours to deliver. An
appeal has been taken and the con-
demned men are temporarily free on bail.
There is little doubt, however, that the
sentence of Judge Wright will be affirmed
for the Supreme Court of the United
States, whatever it may think Of the
grounds on which the injunction was
granted will not condone contempt. The
only way of course in which the President
can interior will be TO grant pardon,
but this he cannot do until after the en-
3forcement of the jail sentence, and since
the case if taken to the Supreme Court
cannot be finally decided before the
October term President elect Taft is the
one to whom an appeal in such case must
be made.
~
Many members of Congress and SEN
ators are remaining in Washington during
the holidays. Since the railroads are
forbidden to Issue free passes it is not as
much the custom as in former times for
the members from California and Oregon
and other remote states to go home for
Christmas and indeed Washington is a
very tolerable place in which to endure a
vacation. The sons aud daughters OF
many or them are students in Eastern
colleges and Universities or at West Point
or Annapolis and numbers Of these are in
Washington to enjoy'the Christmas .1ol.
days with their parents. The last
christmas which President Roosevelt
will celebrate at the White House was
very much like those of other years dur
ing his presidency and very much unlike
some similar occasions celebrated by his
twenty-fv predecessors. The whole
family, including Mr.. aud Mrs. Long
worth, the other daughter and his four
sons were present. The President receiv.
ed number of close friends during the
day. some of whom remained for dinner.
The day before Christmas. although the
ground was covered with eight inches OF
snow, the President and Senator Lodge
of Massachusetts took long ride through
the unbroken bride paths and natural
forest of Rock Greek Park.
Scarcely more than two mouths OF
President Roosevelt's term and of the
Congressional session remain. It Is well
understood that little more will be done
in Congress than to pass the appropria-
ton bills. An effort will be made by the
advocates of a powe rful navy to secure
the appropriations for additional big bat
tleships but unusual outlay in this direc.
ton will be opposed by the conservative
element in both the House and Senate.
The amicable relations between this
country and japan emphasized recently
BY declaration" which some Senators
are disposed to magnify into treaty
are not propitious to great naval expen-
diture. Moreover it is said on authority
that this country has now the second
strongest navy in the world This is the
estimate of the clerk of the Senate Com.
miltee on Naval Affairs. Great Britain
of course has the strongest navy. The
United States is entitled to second place.
Germany it is said has now reached the
third place and is followed in order by
France. Japan; Russia. Italy and Austria.
Germany IS making great progress and
is not unlikely will soon surpass the