The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-03-17
SUBSCRIPTION
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER


Everything political in this city has |
yielded to the Mexican war excitement |
and opinions differ as to the real pur-
poses and justification for the part
assumed by the Administration. The
real facts leading up to and causing
the final act of moving troops to the
border, are not known only to those in
close touch with the President, and
upon whose advice or at whose sug-
gestion it was done is matter wholly
Of speculation to tn ose on the outside.
1t is currently reported that owing to
the seriousness of the situation, those
who did advise it are now trying to
shift the responsibility. The mystery
surrounding the transaction is no near
er solution than il was the day the Or
der went out for the movement of the
troops, but an enquiry will be institut
ed by the House upon assembling of
the extra session of Congress April 4th,
and the influences behind the move
ment may be determined. The Presi-
dent is in Georgia, and no information
will be forthcoming except upon his
special orders.
The Democrats are having a great
deal of trouble in selecting the com
mittees of the next House. Since they
took this power away from the Speaker
there has been contest for the Chair
manship of nearly all the important
committees. Influences entirely out
side of Congress have been at work in
an effort to favorably locate certain
members, as a reward for services or in
an effort to control legislation. 1t is
said that MIR. Bryan and Mr.. Hearst on
the one side and Tammany and its
friends on the other, have been able to
hold up one or two selections, and the |
CONTROVERSY may be continued to the |
floor oil the House
Col Roosevelt was in the city
short time last week or his way to At
lanta. This is the second time he has
been here since his retirement from
the White House. He could not be
induced to discuss politics or the Mex
lean situation, and did not leave his
car long enough to pay his respects to
any government official, and none call.
ed on him.
The Postmaster General has lost all |
of his fights to induce Congress to
change the postal laws. He made a
strong appeal to raise the postage on
magazine and similar fourth class mat
ter, but the publishers of the country
were too influential with the lawmakers
and they turned the proposition down
with the recommendation that the
whole matter be left to commission to
be appointed by the President. He
also attempted to abolish or modify
and limit the ranking privilege, but the
men who were using and abusing this
privilege gave him no encouragement
and all sorts of merchandise will con-
tinue tor the present to go through the
mails under this liberal law
One OF the evidences OF political
warfare is much in evidence today in
the retirement of Secretary Ballinger
Besides the chief not one of his adher-
ents will remain in the service. The
new Secretary is personal friend of
and co-worker with MIR. Pinchot, the
relentless enemy of the present Secre-
tary, and his elevation to this Office at
this time, is a vindication and endorse
ment of the former Chief Forester, and
it is suggested by the wiseacres that
the appointment of this comparatively
unknown man was to placate the ele-
ment he is supposed to represent.