The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-01-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, Jan. Especial Cor
respondence) We have a mighty
good chance to carry Oklahoma in
1916" said well known western con-
gresham to a group of his colleagues
on the floor of the house. when you
take into consideration that the pre-
sent democratic governor was only
elected by majority of about 1000,
it must become apparent that this
state is showing a strong drift
towards republicanism. Many of the
recent settlers in Oklahoma have come
from the eastern states and most of
them are republicans. The democrats
found it necessary to redistrict the
state three years ago in order to keep
up their representation in congress-
On statewide election under present
conditions, Oklahoma becomes a de-
batable state. The republicans out
there are united and optomistic
They feel confident of victory. The
Socialist vote, which is large in this
state, promises to be greatly augment
ed next year owing to dissatisfaction
with the present administration and
this will be a contributing factor to
republican success"
Il never knew such universal COM
plant with the postal service as exists
today" said an Ohio congressman one
day this week. Almost every mem
har a1kod with copoo no oly RI Wash
ington with many petitions and re-
monstrances against entertainments
and changes that have taken place by
the present administration. In both
the populous and rural sections the
service has been affected. l am told
that many of the cities have had their
mail deliveries cut down and all over
the country many places that have en-
joyed two mails a day which are sit
uated away from the railroad, have
had their service cut to one mail day
which has worked great hardship
plant comes from business men in
these towns that it is now impossible
to receive and answer a letter the
same day it is received There has
also been curtailment of many of the
rural routes and the people all over
the country are expressing general
dissatisfaction with the service as it
is conducted today. The question of
service and efficiency seems to have
been entirely overlooked in the de-
sire to make a showing financially"
Uncle Joe" Cannon was conversing
with fellow member of the house one
day during the opening week of con-
gress, when the latter turned to the
Illinois statesman and said: Uncle
Joe" l suppose you have seen your old
friend ICY" Sulloway from New
Hampshire haven't you?"
Seen him." replied Uncle joe,
how in thunder could l help seeing
him if he was anywhere here in the
District"
When it is recalled that the Hon
Cyrus Adams Sulloway looms up six
feet and seven inches in his stocking
feet and is the skyscraper of either
Dranch OF congress, then the aptneSS
of former Speaker Cannon's remark
becomes even more pertinent
A group of elder statesmen were
conversing in the house lobby recently
and one of them was telling of the
drollness and wit of the late Speaker
Thomas B. Reed of Maine To illus
trate his point he told the following
story, which he said was told him on
one occasion by the late David A De-
Almond, long a we'll known and able
democratic representative from the
state of Missouri. 1t was as follows:
"One day shortly before Reeds death
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