Middletown transcript., 1909-12-18
WASHINGTON LETTER

WAS1IN0ION LEtIEk
WASHINGTON, D. c., December II, 1909
60 far as can be learned in the House
> there is little ground for the reports
that Speaker Cannon and bis advisers
intend to make the present session one oi
idleness The prediction of the Demo
Gratis that the Speaker desires to pasE
only the appropriation bills and adjourn
seem TO corroborate the sdage that the
wish il father to the thought. There ID
little doubt that the Democrats would
like nothing better than to see q "do'
nothing" Congress. the odium of which
they could throw on the Republicans
and Speaker Cannon. The Speaker has
made no announcement as to the legis.
lative programm he will seek to have
adopted at the present session not even to
his intimate friends. The fact is that the
Speaker has not yet decided what a
majority Of the Republicans want in the
way OF legislation as he has had but little
opportunity TO consult with them. There
are, as yet, but few important measures
before Congress. From close friend OF
the Speaker it is learned that he will not
allow himself to be placed in the attitude
Of impeding legislation which is desired
by majority of his party in Congress,
no matter what bis own, convictions may
be. Mr.. Cannon realizes that the next
Congressional campaign will be serious
one and that "do-nothing" Congress
would give the Democrats a tactical ad-
vantage which might result disastrOusly.
He realizes further that a Democratic
House would mean q reputation Of the
Payne tariff law, the House rules and
the conservative policies for which be
has long stood. He feels that a retention
of the Republican majority would be
vindication of his administrations as
Speaker. For these reasons, it is main.
tanned, be has made up bis mind to per.
nit the passage Of those measures which
have the backing of substantial major
ity Of the House and the Endorsement OF
President Taft. His friends insist that
ha-has no objection to amendments to
the Interstate Commerce Law or Postal
Savings Bank legislation.
-
The Brownsville court of inquiry, ap-
pointed some months ago to determine
the guilty members of the colored bat
talon Of the 25th United States Infantry
which was discharged in body with
out honor" by President Roosevelt. for
the disturbance at Brownsville, will be-
gin the taking Of oral testimony in this
city in few days. Members of the post
guard on duty on the night of the raid
will be the first examined with a view
to establishing certain points connected
with the firing from the army post. It
is understood that the court while at
Brownsville obtained evidence from sew
eral citizens to substantiate the claim that
shots we're fred into the town from the
fort itself and that the firing was not con-
fined to the city. Seventy six of the
discharged soldiers have agreed to testify
Most of them are candidates of re.enlist-
meut.
~
Attorney General Wickersham esti-
mates that it will cost $l74, 900, to main.
tain and operate the customs court Of
He has transmitted to Congress
an estimate Of the expenses he believes
will be Incurred by that court and asks
that the appropriation be made for the
year beginning January lst.
For the period from that date until the
end of the fiscal year, June Both, he asks
81, 900 for each Of the judges; $1,000 for
the clerk Ofthe court; 81 900 for the as.
sistant clerk; 81, 400 for five stenographers;
81 ,250 for q stenographic reporter and
$3.50 for q messenger. In addition to |
these sums, he asks $4,000 for court
and incidental expenses; 5000 |
for an assistant Attorney General; $3.50
for deputy Attorney General and SIS,
25O for necessary clerks. The estimates
we're referred to the Appropriations com
mittes where they will probably lie until
after the Christmas recess Although /
the customs court was provided for in the
Payne tariff bill, adequate appropriation
for the payment of it's officials was not
made.
~
President Taft bad been somewhat EN-.
barrased by the receipt of an informal
letter from the Judiciary Committee of
the Senate protesting against the appoint
ment of Judge Horace Lurton of Tennes.
zee to the Supreme Court Of the United
States, as the successor of Justice Peck
ham. Although the President has not
sent the appointment to the Senate it is
certain that he contemplated doing SO Oh
Friday and the information that the
Tennessee iurist is not acceptable to men,
bers of the Judiciary committee who
must pass upon the appointments is
great disappointment to Mr.. Taft The
objection against Judge Lurton is bis age.
He is now sixty five years old and those
who oppose his nomination believe that
; younger man should be placed on the
bench. The exact effect of the protest
can not be predicted. but IL is hiOhlv L