The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-02-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.

ever, have smooth sailing and IL were
not for the impression that the President
will call an extra session of Congress
almost immediately after the 4th of
Marc.i, provided the Senate does not
vote on the reciprocity bill. it is doubtful
if vote could be had before the 4th Of
March. If the bill comes to vote.
there is but little doubt that ii will Sbe
passed. because a majority in favor Of
the bill in the Senate is conceded, but
owing to parliamentary usage in the
Senate, there can be lirnitless debate, and
the upper house has some limnless
debaters who are quite capable of talking
the bill into the next session.
The opinion in regard to President
Taft As politician and statesman has
risen considerably since the beginning OF
the present session. 1t is conceded that
he is in the main master of the situation
aud when reciprocity with Canada is
established. as the better minds of the
country think ii WILDE. there is prospect
Of reciprocal trade relations between the
United States and Mexico and with the
Central and South American republics.
With these ends accomplished close ON
to the completion of the Panama Canal,
the administration is sure to finish with
eclat. If not with another term Tor Presi-.
dent Taft.
There is mnch nnfayorable comment
from all parties in reference to what is
called the ''blundering blatherskite
diplomacy" or rather the lack Of ii, of the
Democratic heir-apparens TO the speaker
shipsof the House of Representatives.
Nothing could have been more inoppor.
tune than the statement that reciprocal
trade relations were preliminary TO the
annexation OF British America, and a
foolish remark may be the ruin of what
promised to be most beneficent trade
arrangement. 1t is yet time for the
Democratic majority to pause and recon.
slider the propriety of electing q political
marplot to high Office A hundred or
more years. ago there was duckire
stool in England for silencing old women
who talked too much. An appropriation
for such an instrument and water tank
would not Re bad for the National
Capitol.
1t is something more than opportupe
that the exposure Of the great lumber
trust comes fast upon the heels Of re-
ciprocity with Canada and The proposed
free importation of lumber from that
country. The Bureau Of Corporations
has just furnished The information that
forty years ago rs per cent Of the timber
Of the country was owned by the govern
ment, but at present So per cent of ii is
owned by private persons. Ii is apparent
that the United States must conserve
with greatest care. the small remaining
supply of timber and. further, it must, i'll
possible. scotch the trust that is monopo-
LIKING with view to Increasing stili
further the exorbitant cost of such timber
as is not at present under their control.
President Taft has issued proclama-
tion, NOT as President of the United
States, but as President of the Red Cross
Society, asking contributions FIR the re
lief of the famine stricken region in
China. John D, Rockefeller has con-
tributed 5000 and there have been many
contributions from other sources and
charitable people are also contributing
food stufs and clothing which will be
sent by U. S. transport to Shanghai
and thence up the Yangtsekiang River
where millions Of Chinese inhabitants
are in dire distress II is said they are
selling their children for food. This.
however. is no particular measure Of
their suffering because it is common with
the Chinese in that part of the world to-
kill or sell their daughters. The selling
of daughters. however. is not confined to
the chiaese. j goes on with more or
less observation in all the hot beds Of
Christian civilization. We are spending
millions annually in China for the con.
version of those people while our exclu.
sion laws keep them from the United
States. That is practically telling them
that they are good enough for Heaven.
hut not good enough for this country.
They are an amiahle. temperate, indus
trious people Their county Is greatly
over-popnlated aud il Is net their fault
that they are not able 70 get enough