The Delta independent., 1917-02-09

sr the inaugural day parade. One OF
them will be marshnled by woman.
young and good-look;ng woman who
t.-rzlgiy rides to hounds across coun-
try on every occasion when the dogs
nre let loose and the fox breaks FROM
cover. These hunt clubs cannot he
Included in ihe freak class. The horses
are ,horoush1reGs and every man and
woman is IL fine rider. Moreover. they
are all undergoing II little preliminary
military drill which will enable them
to keep the line perfect and to de-
part not from the order of formation
unless perchance some luckless hound
in the street crowd should start its
hue and cry and habit, stronger than
the check rein, make the horses mo-
mentarily forget themselves.
Wilson Again Does Unexpected.
President Wilson's appearance in
the senate wing of the capitol as IL per
sonal proponent of the legislation
which he desires the majority party in
congress TO pass. was not the astound-
ing surprise 10 senators and members
that the country generally seems TO
think that ii was.
Ever since he has come into office
the president has been doing the un-
expected along II dozen different lines
of endeavor. The result of this has
been that when something new comes
surprise. if not minimized. is, so to
speak, ;pneliorated.
The determination of the president
to address congress at the opening of
each session instead of sending Il writ
ten message. rs had been the custom
for years upon years, was n sort of
II bombshell of surprise in itself. There
was an immense amount Of discussion
over the presidents action at that
time. He was criticized severely by
a good many senators and members
irrespective of party, although, of
course, the severest criticism came
from the Republicans. while such of
the Democrats as objected to the pro
ceeding said sharp things in the cloak
room and reserved milder words of re-
proof for the open.
Now that the addressing of congress
In person has become n fixed presi
Dental habit, most people seemingly
have forgotten the approach To Il tur-
moil with which the first announce
ment Of intention was received. on
one or TWO occasions prior to the time
that Mr.. Wilson announced he would
20 to the capitol almost daily to con
suit with the senators about legiSla-
ton in which he is Interested, he had
gone to the capitol TO advise with the
leaders OF his party.
Others Have Broken Precedents.
The direct address TO congress at
the opening Of session and the APP
pearance of the president at the cap
itol at II few other times TO talk over
Legislation acted as something of
shock absorber when the recent dec
lnration of intention To make frequent
visits 10 the capitol was announced.
During every administration some
thing Is sure to happen which sur
prises the lawmakers and perhaps the
public with them. and gives the crit
les ample opportunity to talk their
sharp words. Roosevelt smashed few
precedents and Mr.. Taft did so like
wise. Mr.. Wilson has followed suit.
but has done ii ~ little more So"
Precedent breaking by president
and the consequent and instant criti-
cism are not confined 10 supposed in
reference with the legislative iudc-
pendence Of congress. This breaking
away from the conventions of the
years sometimes concerns itself with
social matters. hut whether the de
purtures are Legislative. political or so
/ clal, the tongues all go wagging for n
week Then Washington gets accus-
| TONED to the new order, stops taking
and forgets all about the cause for the
! talk.
! Arthur Dined Often With Friend.
In the old days presidents were
chary about breaking any kind of
prccedents and II they did break them.
they tried to keep the breaking quiet.
/ There has been an unwritten rule in
| Washington since the days of Madison
that president should not make per
/ sonnl or social calls ON friends. and
should not attend any social functions
unless they We're virtually Of national
/ size. or were intended 10 forward some
/ great charitable cause.
President Chester \. Arthur was n
! socially Inclined man He wanted to