The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-06-03
WASHINGTON LETTER,

about by an effort of the Republicans
under the leadership of Mr.. Tawney, to
secure a deficiency appropriation for
President Taft's travelling expenses.
Some southern Democrats opposed the
appropriation, when Mr.. Tawney came
back at them with the taunt that they
had invited the President TO their States,
accepted his hospitality, ridden on his
special train, eaten, drank and smoked,
and now grudgeda small appropriation.
Mr.. Tawney made some slurring remarks
about Wanted Southern hospitality . to
which number of Southern members
replied with great heat. That the episode
is deplored at the White House is shown
by letter from the President to Mr..
Tawney, which he has made public.
The President concludes his letter to Mr..
Tawney with the words: TN all my ex-
perience-and ! have enjoyed the hospi-
tally of many sections and countries in
the world, 7 never had more cordial,
generous, open and lavish welcome than
I had in the Southern cities during nv
trip, and the slightest hint that puts me
In the attitude of critic of that hospital
ity gives me great PAIN
~
The Governor of the State of Louisiana,
the mayor of New Orleans and number
Of mayors of other Southern cities, ac-
companied by helegislature of Louisiana,
have been in Washington during the
week, urging the merits of New Orleans
as asite for the International Exposition
in 1915. This delegation has received
much official and social attention in its
|jnnket to Washington. They have been
welcomed both at the Capitol and the
White House and have had an excursion
to Mt. Vernon. They have been heard
by the House and Senate committees on
Industrial Expositions. At the conclusion
Of the hearing. the House chairman said
he had been informed that Washington
City also wished to be heard and asked if
there were any advocates of Washington
In the audience. There appeared to be
no one present at that time to speak for
the capital of the United States, but
Senator Gallinger on the same day intro.
duced in the Senate resolution author.
izing the holding of the Exposition in the
National Capital. His resolution was
identical with that of Representative
Moore in the House, recommending
Washington as the proper locality for the
celebration of this national and inter.
national, long looked-for event. There
will be no decision during the present
session of Congress, but 1t is probable
that the matter will be taken up early on
the assembling of Congress next
December.
~
Your readers will doubtless remember
the desire expressed by the President of
the United States in a number of his
public addresses for such changes in
criminal law as will more directly bring
offenders to justice and more effectually
secure their punishment In the interest of
depressing crime. The average American
citizen does not fully realize the relative
status of his country in the criminal
annals of the world. An eminent author
ity on the subject of crimnology has re-
Gently written that "homicidal crime has
increased 45o per cent in the United
States since 1889, thereby the ratio of
conviction is less than 10 per cent. The
ratio of convictions in Germany is o5 per
cent. Bar Russia, homicida1 crime in the
United States exceeds the total of that of
any ten civilized nations. It is estimated
that $4,000 in the United States whom
law does not touch. choose and pursue
criminal careers. The national debt is
1865, 600, 900; the national cost of crime is
$r,373, 600, ooo." 1t is common for us to
hear from the pulpit and from the plat
form that ignorance is the cause of crime.
1t is incontestible that the American
people pay more money for education
than any other two countries in the
world. Judged by this test. we are the
most savage people in Christendom.
~.
There was considerable interest shown
this week in the lower Honse of Congress
over provision in the Snndry Civil Bill,
appropriating for the support of soldiers
homes Mr.. Kelliher of Massachusetts,,
Bartholt Of Missouri and Stafford of Wis.
consin, tried very hard to have the can.
teen restored at these soldiers homes.
Congress. however, refused to readmit
the canteeu. Mr.. Sims of Tennessee
made fervid speech against the canteen
in the homes and in the army, and was
cheered by members Of the Sunday
School Convention in the House galleries.