The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-12-09
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Cen
eral Topics from
the Capital.
Washington, December 2, 1910.

hlUeI TeceSS anu an elecUlOn event
full in American politics, the nationa
legislature is again in session in Wash
ington, 1t will be full year, however,
before the result of the recent elections
can be fully felt in legislation, and by
that time there may be such changes in
commercial, industrial and political con-
ditions that the intention of the voters
as expressed few weeks ago will be
modified or in some instances nullified.
1t is an unfortunate condition that twelve
months must elapse and a session of Con
gress intervene before the will of the
country as expressed at the polls can be
carried into effect, and when it is re-
membered that this condition is fixed in
the Constitution, that fetest of the
American lawyer and statesman, it is
difficult to see how reform can be
effected.
1t is expected that the present session
will address itself to routine business.
the passage of appropriation bills and
necessary hon-political measures. The
President S proclamation has recon
mended as matter of course important
new legislation, but there is little pros
pect Of its being carried out. Nothing
much will be done uutil after the Christ
mas holidays, and then barely two
months OF the Congressional session will
remain before this Congress, on the 4th
of March, will be ex officio, and, as has
been said, the new Congress just elected
to do and undo so much will not have
its chance for twelve months.
Among the measures that will surely
have hearing in the discussions under
the appropriations bills will be the sub
ject of the fortifcation of the Panama
Canal and there will be confusion of
party lines in the debate on this ques-
ton. Some Republicans and some
Democrats will oppose the military pro-
gram proposed by the President, while
other Republicans and Democrats will
approve it. Mr.. Tawney, Chairman of
the Appropriations Committee, who
failed of re election, will urge that the
Canal shall be made free waterway,
unguarded by fortresses or canon, while
those Of the Roosevelt and Taft school
of politics will insist that property cost
ing nearly half billion of dollars and
essential to the defense of our extensive
western coast line shall not be left with
out adequate military protection always,
of course, Sin the interest of peace, -
as Mr.. Roosevelt would express it.
There is much comment in Washing
ton with regard to the almost oppressive
silence of Mr.. Roosevelt since the cleo
ton. He has completely disappeared
from the political armament and now
instead of headlines and columns on the
first pages of the daily papers, there is
not even paragraph or caricature.
The explanation is that he has probably
given tip to his friends, the reporters
and caricaturists (for between him and
them there. has been a loyalty mutual
and ideally that they shall give him an
indefinite term of exclusive privacy 1t
would not be bad for Mr.. Roosevelt S
political future if he should let his beard
grow, take the Canadian route to Van
Couver, sail on the Empress of India
line to Yokahoma, and spend the next
two years in Japan, China, the Philip
pines, Java, Straits Settlements and
India, returning to this country in time
to mix in the next Presidential election,
either as principal or assistant. Travel,
observation and meditation will be good
for even SO well equipped a man as the
only ex-President of the United States.
1t is said that an effort will be made
by the Postmaster General, backed by
the administration, to pass bill reduc-
ing postage on sealed letters to one cent
and also to carry into effect the long
opposed parcelspos privileges enjoyed
by all foreign peoples, but through the
influence Of the express companies with.
held from the citizens of the United
States. The American citizen living in
Washington may send ten pound pack
age by mail to London, Paris, Berlin or
Vienna, but he cannot send the same
package to Baltimore, only one hour dis
tant, or to Philadelphia OF New York,
four and FIVE hours distant. IF the
package should weigh only four pounds
he can send it by mail for Ga cents tc
any of these cities, but the four pounds
to the European destination costs only
4S cents. The Postofice Department
is not responsible for these outrages
They are the result of the monopoly
which the express companies through
their influence in the Senate and Hous,
have been able to maintain in the dis
tribution of packages by mail. In othel
words, the express companies will not be
able TO make SO much money if th,
people Of the United States shall insis
upon having as good parcels-post ser
vice between Philadelphia and Cincin
natl, for example, as they have to Berlin
or Paris.
While hunting in Montgomery
county DR.. c. II. Conley shot !;