The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1911-02-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

Washington, -. u, February III, 1911
Mr.. Editor:
With a scant three weeks of the Con-
gressional session remaining, not one
of the important measures before Con-
gress when the session began has been
disposed of. Reciprocity with Canada
marked a new line of cleavage among
the Republicans and Democrats in
Washington. Early in the present
week, Senators were hopeful that they
might solve the problem by letting the
reciprocity agreement severely alone,
but later it was brought sharply
to their attention that unless there
was vote on this reciprocity agree
ment they would be called back to WASH
ington promptly after the 4th of March
and compelled to remain until there was
an expression in the Senate either for
or against it.
The fact that the English papers and
the leader of the opposition in the
English Parliament are opposed to the
reciprocity agreement between Canada
and the United States doubtless
had some influence in favor of its ap-
proval by Congress in this country.
1t will be many years, perhaps cent
uries, before the United States and
British America become one country,
but the dividing line must some tine
fade just as the Mason and Dixon line
has faded. There are hundred
reasons for the commercial, social and
political solidarity of North America.
There is not one valid reason in
opposition. There is no possibility Of
the absorption of Canada by the United
States or the absorption of the United
States by Canada. Absorption is not
to be thought of, but commerce be-
tween the two countries ought to be as
free and unrestricted as between Ohio
and Indiana.
There is no opposing vote in the
Senat- " Senator Cullom's project
authorizing a Lincoln Memorial worthy
of the Great President and in keeping
with high ideals of architectural
grandeur. The form of the memoria
has not been decided upon. 1t is leftl
to the jugdment and taste of COM
mission who it is hoped will make a
wide and appropriate selection. There
have been suggestions of boulevard
connecting Washington and Gettys-
burg, also project for = triumphal
arch like the Arch of Triumph in Paris
or its prototype in Rome. There is also
project to have the mem DIAL occupy
the center of the great plaza stretch
ing from the Capitol to the Union
Station. The appropriation for this
monument is two millions, but it is pos
sible tt the sum will be added to be-
fore the memorial is completed.
The appropriation by the lower house
of Congress for diplomatic residences
in a number of European and also in
some Asiatic capitals amount for the
building of or purchase of consular
ambassadorial or ministerial residences
is not to exceed $780, but this
amount will 60 much farther in the
building of suitable residences for our
representatives in foreign coun tries
than it would in any American city.
Now having appropriately prepared for
the lodging of our diplomatic represent
tatives, perhaps Congress can be per-
suaded to consider in an unfrenzied
way proper uniform for our minis
tiers, consuls and ambassadors, some
thing different from the evening dress
worn by buffers and walters all over
the world Careful analysts know
that there is just as much vanity and
and ostentation in Quaker
like plainness as there is in gorgeous
attire, and since an overwhelming
majority of the world at home and