The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-04-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The national Congress is again in
session-the second extra session Of the
present administration. Speculation as
to what Congress will do is varied. 1t is
thought that the administration would be
more than pleased if the Congress would
ratify the reciprocity agreement with
Canada and adjourn, but the Democrats
who now control the lower house have a
much more ambitions program and in.
deed there are tariff reforms that cannot
be enacted too soon. The period between
the adjournment on the 4th of March
and the 4th Of April has been full of in
terest. The sudden mobilization of the
army aud its establishment on the Mexi.
can border has been the subject of dis
cussion throughout the length and
breadth of the land. The ultimate pur-
pose of the administration is not known.
but preparation for an emergency is the
highest wisdom In national affairs. It is
reported that a large contingent Of the
force now on the Mexican border will
sail in few days for Honolulu. 1t is
known that American interests in Mexico
demand strong American force near
that pertnrbed territory
~
There is again discussion of a peace
pact between Great Britain and the
United States and between France and
the United States. With reciprocity with
Canada and peace agreements with Great
Britain and France, there would be little
reason for the continuous expensive
naval preparation of the last decade; but
there is no assurance that the Senate will
ratify such peace agreements as the two
great Anglo Saxon governments may ar
range with each other. There are some
Senators that are very jealous of their
Constitutional privileges to vote separately
and distinctively in every matter of in
relation. Still. the world
moves. Civil service reform was looked
upon as Utopian thirty years ago, and
many measures looking toward the pnri-
fication of governmental and commercial
relations have been accomplished even in
the last ten years.
~
1t IS expected that there will be no
little presidential electioneering and
maneuvering in Washington during the
present extra session. It II significant
that the Bryan influence has been con-
strengthened IN both houses
Of Congress, both by elimination and adj
dition since March 4th Many Of his
friends have been added to both the
House and the Senate. while some who
are opposed to him are no longer in
power in Washington. 1t is not thought
that Mr.. Bryan expects to do more than
influence she nomination of a. Democratic
1t is thought that he favors
Wilson of New Jersey. It is known that
he does not favor Harmon of Ohio
Champ Clark the Democratic speaker
has been talked of as presidential posi-
bility, but he has talked SO much himself
and SO imprudeutly 10 his long and
mediocre political career that it is doubt.
full if The will be considered as a available
by those of the party with
whom Judgment prevails. La Toilette of
Wisconsin is much talked of as the
probable Republican nominee for the
and the race now is supposed
10 lie between him, Taft and Roosevelt.
Senator La Toilette is conspicuous for his
criticism of the transfer of the army to
the Mexican border. He denouuces it as
unnecessary and an exiravagent waste of
public funds, but it is probable. that the
figures will demonstrate that the army
can be as easily maintained along the
Rio Grande as at the various stations
from which it was entrained, aud surely
the experience Of mobilization and the
exercise of camp life cannot do otherwise
than improve the efficiency and the es
pritdu corps of force doubtless ener-
waited by long inactivity. There was the
same necessity for moving the army that
there was in the last year of Roosevelt's
administration TO send the navy TO sea
aud around the world, and possibly other
reasons that Senator La Toilette and
some others have not yet found out.