The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-08-20
Washington Whisperines.


WASHINGTON, Aug. II. For the third
time since it became the residence of the
chief executive of the United States, the
Angel of Death has knocked at the door
of the White House and called away the
wife of the President. The first occa-
sion was on September 10, 1912, when
Mrs. Letitia Tyler passed away; the Sec
ond was on October Is, 1892, when the
death of Mrs. Caroline Scott Harrison
occurred; and the third was on August 6,
1914, when Mrs. Ellen Louise Wilson
closed her eyes in the sleep that knows
no waking.
Mrs. Wilson had artistic ability of no
mean order, and had many charming
traits of character which endeared her
to all who had the privilege of her &C.
quaintance. The essential nobility OF
her nature was best indicated by her in
terest in and work for others. She was
especially interested in the movement
for the education of the Southern noun
tain people, and in measures for the ben
eft of the poor of Washington.
On the morning of the day she died
Mrs. Wilson said that she would be happy
if she could be assured of the passage of
what is commonly called the "Washing-
ton Alley bill''-and it is pleasure to add
that from both the Senate and the House
there came the prompt assurance that the
bill will soon become a law. And her
last words to DR.. Grayson were: "prom-
Use me that you will take care of Wood
row."
The whole nation extends its sympathy
to the President and his daughters in
their sorrow.
Shortly before it became known that
Mrs. Wilson was dangerously i'll it was
whispered around that new honor is to
come to the President in February next,
when the stork is expected to visit Mrs.
Francis B. Sayre. 1t is not yet known
whether it will alight in the White
House or the modest cottage in Will
Jamestown, Mass, where Mr.. and Mrs.
Sayre will live next winter. 1t will be
remembered that Julia Dent Grant, now
the Princess Cantacuzene of Russia, was
born in the White House while her
grandfather was President.
1t begins to look as if Congress will
remain in session until there is rift in
the war clouds now encompassing the
whole of Europe, in which event much
needed legislation will be enacted that
would otherwise have been left until the
short session Of Congress in order that
legislators could 60 home and partici-
pate in their primaries, and later, in the
elections.
The Presidents antitrust legislation
program is moving along slowly but
surely, and it is confidently predicted
that within the next six weeks the bills
dealing with the various phases of trust
affairs will be out of the way and then,
should the European war still continue,
Congress would remain in session to
take care of any eventualities that might
arise to disturb the peace or the COM
merce of the United States
Senators and Congressman are dis
cussing war, its causes and effects, while
bull etins are eagerly scanned for news
of a reliable char acter that will give the
true situation as it exists in the great
theatre of conflict now raging. Many
conflicting views obtain among the
nation statesmen as to the probable
effect the war will have on the United
States, the prevailing belief being that
it will result in higher prices for Ameri-
an products, especially food stutfs.
There are those, however, who think
by the cutting off of certain countries
from our markets and the wholesale i'm
poverishment of the nations now at one
another's threats. Be this as it may, it
is most generally conceded that the
ii me is ripe for the nation to put its best
foot forward toward securing larger
trade with South American countries,
now that Germany, which controls much
of the trade, is engaged in titanic
struggle for its very existence. On tot
tering thrones, therefore, America may
benefit immeasurably.
Washington society, what remains Of
it in Washington, is living an "al fres-
CO" life. There are cabinet hostesses,
and many congressional hostesses still
by the sides of their distinguished hus-
bands in spite of the reputation for the
boiling point in temperature which
Washington enjoys. And there are fes-
Invites of course, for, as one hostess
puts it, zone must dine, and why dine
alone?" So there is scarcely an even
ing when merry party does not gather
on porch, picturesque lawn, or in
protected arbor in and around Washing
ton for the lorna! meal of the day.
Secretary and Mrs. Daniels, who are liv-
ing in charming suburban home on a
hill overlooking the city, are among the
| busiest of these hosts and hOSteSSeS