The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-02-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

Special Corr. of THE REPUBLICAN,

Special Corr. OF THE REPUBLICAN.l
Washington D. C. Jan. 80, 1912.
To meet opposition of the Democrats
to the confirmation of President Taft's
appointments, Republican Senators have
held a caucus, and decided to do all they
can to keep the Senate in executive
session for consideration of nominations,
thus forcing the Democrats to keep up
a filibuster until the end of the session
on March A.
According to the plan of hearings on
proposed tariff legislation, the present
tariff law is being considered schedule
by schedule. Nearly all the witnesses
who have testified admit the necessity
of tariff revision; but claim that any
reduction OF duty on their particular
articles would result in reductions in
wages and the closing of some shops.
Representatives of steel industries
say there should be no reduction on
metals, although it may be well to re-
duce cotton and wool schedules.
Representatives of wool and cotton
industries claim that no reduction on
these fabrics should be made, but that
metals, or other things, should be low
cred.
President and Mrs. TAFT entertained
a party at one of the leading theatres
Monday night, when the Sunshine
Grip had its first presentation in this
country, the proceeds being for the bene-
fit of charity. -
The presence of the President of the
United States at theatre is always an
important event, and FOR several wears
it has been his custom to select Monday
nights After the theatre Mr.. Taft
was the guest of honor and principal
speakers at the Southern Commercial
Congress. He declared that Americas
greatest need is improved farming
methods, and that we are fast approach
ing point where we shall have to i'm
port our foodstuffs, and be dependent
upon other countries for what we eat,
unless we do improve our agricultural
methods.
The mystery Of the disappearance of
Wilfred T. Webb, the messenger from
Arizona, bearing the electoral votes of
that state, has been cleared up. Mr..
Webb thought the votes should be
shown to the President elect, and did
not know there was time limit for
delivering them to Congress. Mr.. Webb
was the only one of the forty-eight mes
sengers bearing electoral votes of the
states who did not arrive on time.
He is subject to fine of 81, 900 for
each day of hardness. but it will proba-
blv not be imposed.
In previous inaugurations the Presi-
dent has stood in the cold for hours,
constantly bowling and taking off his
hat to the enthusiasts who saluted him
as they passed in the parade. This
year it is planned to inclose portion
of the stand erected in front of the
White House, for the President and his
family, with glass, and heat it by cleo
triclty.
Although March fourth has usually
been stormy and cold. and though many
prominent men have been made i'll, and
not few have died as the result of ex-
noc,,ra OF ;pounurat;onc xa+ Conorac,
has done nothing to provide for holding
the lnaugurations later in the spring
when the weather is usually mild and
balmy.
Abandonment of the inaugural ball and
reception has caused no end of trouble;
and not another complication arises in
the unwillingness of some of the state
legislatures to grant the necessary
authority and appropriations for send
ing their state militia, Many civilian
soldiers want to come to the first in
stallation of democratic President and
Congress for twenty years; and some
are taking steps to raise the needed
funds by subscription IN their own COM
munities.
The rock of conservation, upon which
the republican party split, is now loom
ing as big danger in the path of Dem
ocrats. Many of them think the extern
sion of federal power in conserving our
natural resources is an invasion of
States rights and unconstitutional; that
the States are competent to protect the
natural resources of the country. and