The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-03-29
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There-are plenty of rumors flying
about in Washington of Cabinet
changes. They have found their way
into print, and afford the editors of
the journals printing them an oppor-
tunity to advocate new and stronger
material for the wartime structure of
the Cabinet. and to hint at lack of
public confidence in some, if not all.
the members to satisfactorily cope
with the situation the country is now
facing and which 1t is pitching head
long into The use of Col. Cocktails
name in connection with the War
portfolio, carefully inquiry discloses,
is based more on public sentiment
than any official discussion of the
man organized the army OF canal
diggers. Conceded to be a genius for
organization rather than military tao.
tics, there is a popular demand for
Gothals, like the silent Kitchener did
for England with his mob" to or
ganize and equip an army. Secretary
Baker isn't credited with possessing
the abilities which the eXigencies OF
the hour seem to demand. BY no
stretch Of feverish Imagination can
he be made to resemble Kitchener
nor the blunt Stanton OF Lincoln ;
time. Popular distrust OF Bos'n Dan.
iels capacities to meet the issue in
his position as the head of the Ma
tion's first line of defense isn't ONLY
indigenous to the outlying country.
1t is widespread in Washington. The
weakness of the Wilson Cabinet was
pretty generally admitted in peace
times. Now that 1t is wartime, well,
1t is the same old Cabinet An over
whelming sentiment Of the country. it
appears, is, the only thing that can
change it, for the President isn't
thinking of doing 1t. But, as in the
case OF preparedness and a host Of
other domestic issues on which the
President at first got on the wrong
side of and was forced by change his
mind almost overnight to attune HIM
self to the country's demand, he's I'M
usually touchy and responsive to crys'
talized national opinions.
Miss Margaret Huddleson, govern
ment specialist In plant histories
would appropriate West Virginia's
state flower and mako it the National
floral emblem. There IS bill IN
Congress to make the mountain laurel
the national flower 1t was introduce
ed last June by Representative Shir.
ley. of Kentucky, and Will be rein
troduced by him next month. MISS
Huddleson is one Of number OF Am
erican women who feel the lack OF
floral emblem for their country, and
believes that il would be enriched pa
trioticalIy, csthetically and materially
If 1t possessed national flower other
than the traditional goldenrod, which
is anathema to the hayfeyer victims.
Listen to Miss Huddleson: "a national
flower is q necessity, patrtnt:t as
we'll as esthetiC, an this country
should no longer he w!i!'fT one. Al
most every country but our own has
its national floral emblem, which Is
inspearably connected with its life,
history and traditions. AS far back
as 5000 B. C. the lotus is to be traced
as the emblem of Egypt's national be:
ing, and It is TO be seen reproduced
In every form Of its architecture. and
wherever a lotus from appears the de-
sign Is assigned at once to Egypt. me
narClSSuS from tuo ShtASSS AASSSAsS
times has been the national flower
OF Greece. The Japanese from ages In
terminable have honored the chrysan'
themum, and they hold special fes'
tiyal in its honor. spria, long centur.
les ago selected the scarlet blossoms
Of the pomegranate, as emblem as typ |
ical of har as thu spruce Is OF Nor
way or the holly berry OF Denmark
while Holland glories in her tulip"
Back in the regime of Governor Daw.
son when the late Clarke May, at
that time attorney general, was argu'
ing before the United States Supreme
Court that that tribunal hadn't pow
ers to enforce Judgment against !
West Virginia should 1t decree one,
Chief Justice Fuller presiding stated
In effect, II not in these words, that
the court would cross that bridge /
when It reached 1t. The court has .
reached It. On the question OF man
damus, applied for by Virginia dhe