Middletown transcript., 1909-12-23
WASHINGTON LETTER

WAsHlSoToN. D. G., December IS, 1903
4 TIE President has definitely decided
: thatis will be impossible for him to
complete any Of the special mess-
age which be purposes sending to
Congress before Tie holiday recess.
He has, moreover, determined to submit
special ~ ,ssaga on the needs OF Porto
Rico asd tas Philippines and is seriously
considering writing another ON The affairs
OF the District Of Columbia. To his
/ message on the Insnlar possessions he
will urge that citizenship be conferred
on the residents Of Porto Rico and the
establishment Of central health bureau
for the island and he will ask authority
20 create civil pension list for the
Philippines to be met out OF the revenues
Of the islands. If he finally decides to
discnss District Of Columbia affairs in a
special message he will doubtless urge
the institution Of legal proceedings With
view to testing the constitutionality OF
the act OF Congress by which that part of
the district on The south side of the Po-
tntnac was ceded to Virginia. Mr.. Taft
hulds the view that tile law was uucon-
stisutio0al and that TIE territory which
/ nOw foFmH Alexandria County, Va, IL
legally still part of the District.
+.#
The Smithsonian Institution has placed
on exhibition the trophies obtained BY
the Roosevelt expedition in South Africa.
This collection is declared by the regents
aud by scientists connected with the
Institution TO be the finest it has ever
received. II includes 24S specimens Of
large mammals, SEQ of small mammals,
1856 birds and something over $500
sheets Of plants. There are, moreover, a
number Of human skulls picked up along
the line Of an old slave train which con-
stitute valuable contribution TO the
anthropologicsl division. The receipt
of this collection is most gratifying TO the
attaches of the Institution, especially as
it has entailed no expense, the funds
being raised by private contribution.
-
Two old oil paintings have been inspir-
ing patriotism from the walls of the Sen.
ate corridor for years. One of Thomas
Jefferson, with austere brow, has fur
nished an excellent example to present
day statesmen. The other is of Patrick |
Henry, the Virginia orator, who has
numerous iulitators as the Congressional
Record will testify. For years these
paintings have hung undistuFbed with 8
small gold inscription under each giving |
the name OF the original. A day or two
ago Eugene W. Chfan, former prohibi-
lion candidate for president, was admitted
TO practice before the Supreme Court and
while walking through the Capitol he
stopped before the picture marked with
the name OF jefferson. 'That is not /
Thomas jefferson" Mr.. Chain remarked
to friend. ''0r, ii it is, the years have
made decided changes in him." He
shen turned 10 the picture marked Pat
rick Henry. "And that certainly is not
Patrick Henry" declared Mr.. Chain
with yehemance. He was puzzled. In
q moment he discovered that Henry's
name was under Jeffsrson's portrait and
vice versa. He Immediately notified the
superintendent of the Capitol and the
mistake was rectifsd. They are still
wondering ct the Capitol what errors
another prohibitionist might discover.
-
Senator Hale, who is earnestly opposed
TO authorizing two new battleships and
collier or repair ship at this session Of
Congress, hae called attention to one Of
the most serious needs of the Navy
Z material increase in the personnel.
Captain Usher, Acting Chief of the Bur-
esq of Navigation, sent TO the Naval
Committees OF Congress only few days
ago an earnest recommendation that
provision be made for two thousand
additional enlisted men and Mr.. Hale
believes that this increase is far more
important than an increase In ships.
Some conception Of the existing situation
may be gained from the fact that among
the three cruisers, the st. Louis, the I
Milwaukee and the Charlestown, all on
the Pacific, there is only one tull and two
reserve crews. These vessels required
crew Of $50 men each but when one Of
them goes into commission it is necessary
TO take out the other two, leaving on
each ship reserve crev of l80 men.
-
The hundreds of thousands who have
used them will be glad to know that the
combined pocket diary 1910 memorandum
book aud calendar for 1910 and 1911, with
other handy information issued by G, j. 4
Snow & Co., Of Washington, D. G., is
ready sud will be sent to any address on
receipt OF two cents postage. Write to
G. A. Snow & Co., Washington. D. G. J
SAYS CITY NEGLECTs BOYS
WILMINGTON, DEL, December 10TH III
81 would be ashamed to sing, Where is Il