Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1903 — WASHINCTOH COSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINCTOH COSSIP

Although It waa argued at the time tha oleomargarine act waa under consideration in Congress that the tax of 10 cents a pound Imposed upon the product colored in imitation of butter would not injuriously affect the industry, the claim of the opponents of the law that it would la being realized. The official statistics given out by the commissioner of internal revenue show that, although the tax on the uncolored product was reduced from 2 cents to one-fonrth of a cent a pound, the revenue derived during the eight months ending Feb. 28 last was only |124,809, compared with receipts of 11,483,952 during the corresponding period of the previous year under the old law. The total receipts from oleomargarine under the new law during the eight months was $288,538, compared with sl,908,461 during the corresponding period under the old law. The revenue collectors have found that the consumption of oleomargarine under the new law is less than one-twelfth what it was under the old law. In the eight months last mentioned only 6,000,000 pounds was taxed, while under the old law 74,000,000 pound* was taxed. Naturally the number of retailers has proportionately decreased. Action by the President and the Secretary of War in two recent cases is an Indication of a policy changed for the better in the matter of resignations and reinstatements in the army. Secretary Root accepted the resignation of an artillery officer with the indorsement, “for the good of the service,” The officer had misbehaved repeatedly, until it was evident that he did not belong in the army. In other days it has been the custom simply to accept the resignation without written comment. The offending officer was thus placed on a par with faithful mon who retired for honorable reasons. Secretary Root’s course is designed to make the papers conform to the facts. In the other case, President Roosevelt vetoed a bill to place on the retired list an officer who had been cashiered some years ago. The record showed that the man was unworthy, and the President’s reason for his act was that the placing of each a person on the retired list would be unjust to every honest officer who had reached that list by faithful service.-

When the special session of the United States Senate was called to order there were thirteen new faces. Most in-

teresting of these was Iteed Smoot, the Mormon Apostle, against whose election to the Seagate so much objection has been made. Ut was thought that {when his name was ■called some persons [would make a protest, but he waa •worn in without opposition. There waa some applause from the galleries when he took the oath.

Just before this Senator Hoar stated that any man having credentials could be sworn in, which was taken tp be* a reference to Mr. Smoot. The reported decision of the Democratic leaders In the House to follow up in the next session any advantage they may have gained in the last through their persistent filibustering „ has aroused . a great deal of feeling among the leaders of the majority side. A member of the ways and means committee, who Is the floor leader of his party, declares that further obstruction by repeated roll calls will lead to the adoption of some mechanical apparatus, probably an electric annunciator, for noting and recording eapff member’s vote. It is claimed that one of the instruments which have been submitted to the Republicans would lake a vote of the House in less than onetenth of the time now spent in the useless reading and rereading of the Jong list of names.

Robert H. Watkins ha* arranged some interesting data relative to the ages, the length* of service and the public careers of the members of the United States Senate. He shows that Senator Pettus of Alabama, now just beginning his second term, is the oldest man in the body. Senator Bailey of Texas is the youngest. The brilliant statesman from the Lone Star State is exactly one year younger than the junior Senator from Indiana— Senator Beveridge—their birthdays occurring Oct. 6. The compiler calculates that the average age of members in the Senate Is 56.7 years. The majority of the men who constitute that great legislative assemblage are therefore somewhat past middle life. - ; President Roosevelt will be in close touch with the White House at all hours of the day and night in his absence. Assistant Secretary Forester will be in charge st the executive mansion and a line of communication will be maintained at all times between him aud Secretary Loeb, who accompanies the presidential party. While the President is at Yellowstone Park the special train of the party will be sidetracked at Cinnabar, near the entrance of the park, and daily communication with the President will be had through telephonic or telegraph system or by courier. A direct wire between Cinnabar and the White House will constantly be maintained. In the event of untoward accident the White House will be notified instantly. 4 / When the Fifty-eighth Congress meet* In regular session next December, the presidential election will be the overshadowing topic of conversation and discussion. Unavoidably it will check legisladvs activity. Everybody will realise that by the time the aeasion ends the nominating conventions will be assembling. In each presidential year the country thinks of what it Is purposing to do, rather than of the things that are actually taking place. Patronise those who advertises

REED SMOOT.