The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-02-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The inauguration Of Governor Wood
row Wilson as President of the United
States will be different from any other
presidential inauguration that ever was
held. Certain FORMS and customs grow
up around such functions, and in course
of time they come to be looked on all
most as II they were written into The Cons
stituti0i instead ot having NO calor Of
law at all II is truth that many times
our unwri,ten laws are more vigorously
enforced than those which have the
authority, power and prestige Of courts
and the entire government behind them
The inaugural ceremonies, or at leas,
that portion Of them which appeals 10
the public love Of pomp and display.
have no greater authority than custom TO
support them. The procession. The in
augural ball, The recepiion-all of these
are the creation of the citizens com
mittee. and the Chief Executive, with all
the rest Of the government has been IN
the habit Of gracefully acqu,escing ii
them so thattthe public might have
holiday and enjoya spectacle But while
II has been a profitable thing for the
commercial Interests 10 Washington and
for the transportation interests TO have
a great assemhlage of people, Congress
has been in the habit OF complacent
fooiing.a large part of the cost. This
year there will he less to pay from the
public purse. for the incoming President
has refused to sanction The Inaugural
balE or an elaborate reception, so the
chieNspectacular feature of the inangura
ton will be the military parade; and this
will satisfy the largest number Of people
and please their love for pomp aud
display.
For the first time the workers for
woman suffrage will occupy big place
IN the proceedings They are making
very extensive preparations, and pro-
mise to do something spectacular, albeit
1t will undoubtedly be in perfectly good
taste So fast has, the cause of Equal
Rights" progressed in the last few years
that j, seems hardly necessary any more
to argne further for universal suffrage.
~
II may be shock 10 some, and 10
more it may be disappointment, but
there seems to be every reason 10 believe
that President Wilson will usher in an
administration marked ~ J-ffersonian
simplicity Without in the least reject
ing on the administrations that have
preceded il, some persons are frank
enough to say that With high thinking
and simple living in the White House.
with fewer hnnkies and less gold lace in
evidence, there will be closer adherancp
to the spirit of the Constitution and a
more wholesome example to a nation
which seems TO have become literally
drunked on prosperity. The spirit Of
republican institutions should not suffer
under this new regime TIE prosperity
81 the country should not even halt, but
possibly the expectations Of the demo-
cratic leaders that prosperity shall be
more evenly and equitably distributed
will be realized. The great commercial
interests of the land do not seem to be-
greatly worried over what Congress will
do. The leaders in,the House and the
Seuaie have shown ability aud self re-
stfaint. Il is undoubtedly best for the
country TO give is hearty supper. to the
new administration aud SO enable it TO
begin It's work under favorable auspices
~
Talking about ofice-seekers. the de
scent upon Washington has begun The
money they will pay out here for board
will equal tSe salary roll OF all who
&c. appointments for years 10 come.
And the democratic members OF Congress
are tasting fully the joys. such as they
are, Of the yietors With good jobs to give
away Il has its funny side, but the
pathetic side will also be in evidence
And long before the places are all filed,
weary members Of Congress will,be sigh
ing for primsries.tu decide who in Fair.
view and Louelyhu-st shall be selected
for rural mail Garner. railway mail clerk,
and deputy forest ranger; or else they
viii be advocating the extension of the
classified civil service 10 include every
thing, save perhaps Congressman. And,
talking about civil service, someone re-
marked tina, il would be good idea 10
apply il 10 applicants for places in Presi-
de", Wilson's Cabinet, It isn't half
bad idea, either
Responding TO the command OF the in
tssssate commerce commission to show
cause why N. schedule Of reduced rates
>nenld not be Immediately pui into effect,
: ,.,sr,r,ne,;er d.,l.x tgs>s