The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-01-07
WASHINGTON
In HOLIDAYS.
There Are Some People Left
In the Capital
PRESIDENT TAFT REMAINS.

diplomatic oerNIce-Snan9 succeeds
WI Ting Fang as Minister From
China-At Least One Government
Clerk Found Who Wants to Work.
Washington, Dec. 24.-The Christmas
season in the national capital sees a
null in pretty much everything except
society and religion. Many members
Of congress, at least in nearby states,
depart for their homes, while others
go to visit friends. Yet Washington is
far from deserted. Those senators and
congressman who have their families
with them enjoy the holiday cheer in
the capital. AS for the department
and other officials, practically all of
them have established their residences
In the District-that is, for all except
voting purposes. The president takes
his Christmas in the White House. In
the language of Garfield, 1.-THE govern
ment still lives"
A Permanent Diplomatic Body.
The diplomatic changes give general
satisfaction. In the main they are
promotions and so are in line with the
presidents policy of creating a per-
manent diplomatic body. Robert Bacon,
the new ambassador to France, gained
many friends here while in the state
| department. Richard G. Kerens, am
baSSador to Austria, is well known
among politicians. William j. Cal
houn, minister to China, was here two
years as a member of the interstate
commerce commission. These are the
new men in the diplomatic service.
Henry Lane Wilson, ambassador to
Mexico; Charles w. Russell, minister
to Persia; Horace G. Knowles, minis
ter to Santo Domingo; L. S. Swenson,
minister to Switzerland; Henry p.
Fletcher, minister to Chile, and Charles
Page Bryan, minister to Belgium, have
all served in other diplomatic posts.
Henry t. Gage, minister to Portugal,
was once governor of California. These
men are representative of the higher
standard maintained by the govern
ment in those it sends abroad.
Harris a Confederate Colonel.
The death of ex-senator William A.
Harris of Kansas removes a figure
prominent not only in politics, but in
the forefront Of agricultural move
ments; well versed in railroads since he
was once a practical railroad man, one
who stood well in Washington society
since he was q Virginian by birth and
a colonel in the Confederate army and
one who made friends for keeps. l
remember Harris in the old Populist
days, when he was one of the little
band who used to stir up Wall street
and the money power. He was both
congressman and senator and after
ward ran for governor of Kansas, but
was defeated,
Successor to WI.
Chang Yin Tang the new minister
from China, who succeeds the renOwn-
ed and postprandial WI Ting Fang, is
here and expresses his delight to re-
turn to Washington, where he was a
secretary of legation twelve years ago.
Mr.. Chang is a trained diplomat, hav-
ing been pretty much all over the
world, but he will have hard place
to fill in living up to the popularity Of
the only Dr. WI, who has come close
to the American heart as a rare combi-
nation of diplomat, happy speaker, wit
and good fellow.
Joy In the Capital.
Anybody who wants to sound the
loud timbrel has Washington's permis-
sion to do so, and the louder the bet
ter. The act for enlarged Fairgrounds
has passed not only the house, but is
practically certain TO go through the
senate. Trust Washingtonians for that.
Perhaps this is Of no great interest
through the country at large, but here
In Washington the din of ii has so
filed the heavens, or, rather, the news
papers, that one was almost led to i'm
agine it a bigger question than the
tariff
Let Them Work.
Chief Clerk William McNeir of the
state. department has decided that gov
employees may work after Of
fce hours. Some of the employees in
his department had gone into realty
and other business after the close of
heir arduous labor for Uncle Sam, and
somebody else kicked about it; hence
he decision. The finding is altogether
righteous. for If there lives a govern
nent clerk who wishes to work at any
lime whatsoever he should be cheered
IN in his noble and unusual resolve.
Taft ouiekenins His Pace.
There is at least one Of the Roosevelt
'olicies that President Taft is carrying
nut. that belonging TO the heel and toe.
Got only does the chief executive walk.
ut he is beginning to hit up a surpris-
ne pace for one Of his-well. displace-
nent The other day be caught Cap
ain Butt in a tight uniform and Gen.
Tal Clarence Edwards in a heavy fur
vercoat and nearly walked Butt
through hts seams and Edwards into
team bath under the fur. Hereafter
be two win be prepared for any sud-
en- pedestrian impulse on the part
their chief and VIII have sweaters
nd hobnailed shoes where they can
- than NJ n r,0--a-.se r04f~os ALA