The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-01-21

tries or the CdPltal-l dIt WIN SNS
an Active Part In the Congressional
EIeotons-The Lee Statue Question
Of Uniform.
Washington, Jan. 5.-Presidential re-
ceptions are coming along in bunch.
Outside of the regular New Years re-
ception there was one to the diplomat
ic corps on Jan. f. which will be fol-
lowed by the judicial reception two
weeks later the congressional recep-
ton on Feb. and the army and navy
reception Feb. 8. Scattered in between
will be diplomatic dinners, supreme
court dinners and plain and fancy ban
quets in such profusion that they
would delight the eye and palate of
old Epicurus himself Whatever may
be said about the deliberate way
Washington goes about other things,
socially it is a busy city. Just now
the thing that disturbs the fair host
esses of the capital is not the woman
question, but the man question. One
would suppose that with all the male
statesmen who foregather here there
would be plenty to dance and lead the
ladies out to dinner; but, whether it is
that the men are busy playing poker
or trying to devise ways to keep from
passing bills. it is a perplexing fact
that it is not always easy to find
enough men to go around. To add to
the difficulty about fifty new society
buds have blossomed out this winter
or are in process of doing so, which
calls for just that many more mascu-
line partners. 1t is a pity that the
male beauty squad of the Taft inaugu-
ration could not have been induced to
remain here permanently.
The Prime Requisite.
AS Lent begins this year on Feb. %,
the social season has been fastened
and squeezed up into a few weeks.
This has necessitated the rushing of
cabinet dinners at the rate of one a
week. beginning with that of the sec
rotary of state now due. ! do not
know that Washington social affairs
are intensely interesting to the re-
mainder of the country, but it ought to
to know that their representatives,
senators and other officials get enough
to eat, even If food prices are doing
the aeroplane act for the rest of us.
1t used to be supposed that the ma
lions brainiest men should be the
ones sent here. but | am not sure that
the view is correct or that 1t is any
longer followed. So far as can judge
the two most important activities of
Washington life are eating and talk
ing, and as both are performed
through the facial orifce it would
seem that the prime requisite In those
sentenced to terms of service here is
not brains. but mouth. Nor am | pre-
pared to say that of late years this
has not been the rule observed.
Taft and the Younger Adams.
Some ingenious student has diScOv-
cred a similarity between the careers
and attitudes of John Quincy Adams
and William Howard Taft. Both the
sons of noted fathers and distinguish
ed in their own rights. both averse to
making political appointments. both re-
fusing to play politics to further their
own fortunes and both despite their
excellent qualities falling To stir the
hearts of the multitude the parallel
does not seem entirci! fanyiful. VIII
the likeness be carried cut to the end
of their careers? Even the weather
prophets would hardly dare to OTTER
a forecast. Besides. it is too early in
the Taft administration 10 size il up.
Will Taft Manage the Campaign7
Now that 1910 is Oh IL boards,
members Of both houses are awaken
ing to the fact that a congressional
election is on this year. The Demo
Gratis are more confident of carrying
the next house than they have been in
a decade. For one thing they argue
that no party ever revised the tariff
that il was not showed under in the
next congressional election with the
single exception of 1SJS. when the
Spanish war came on to distract the
peoples attention. one uncertain ele-
ment in the coming fight viii be the
insurgent Republicans. am inclined
to believe that this element. however.
will fight out its battles within the
party and that whatever division exists
in the majority ranks VIII b. settled
in convention and viii help the Demo
Gratis little in the election. The latest
rUuur If interest is that TrCsilpu.
TAFT VIII take very active part in
the GehL naturally REGARDING the re-
suit iu the light Of veTdi. ON his
own administration.
Merely a Question Of C!othes.
The statue OF Robert l.. Lee in the
uniform Of Confederate general.
whish WIS placed by the state If Nir-
ginia I'm statuary hall. has erected en-
in OH ill quarters owing
to the criticism leveleI at &c from Ger
tain portions Of tle north. These OBJ
jections have not been aimed at Lee.
lut at his uniform Now. outside Of
eating and talking Washington is per-
hans most expert in the matter Of
clothes. so that this sort Of sartnrial
question IS right in its line. However,
Il has not seen At to meet the issue as
yet. but has settled the matter by
it-that is. congress viii
permit the statue TO remain in place,