Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1904 — WASHINGTON LETTER [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER

[Special Correspondence.] I When a dispatch about the Santo D<v tmingo troubles reached several Washkngfnn newspaper corresi)ondents it [was about 0 o’clock on Saturday evenping. They started to ask about It. [Three of them reached the house of a (high naval official (it wouldn’t be fair |to tell his name) at the same time. His ibutler was adamant. lie would take (in no cards. He said his master was (busy and could not be seen. On the following Monday one of the linen who had been at the high naval (Officer’s house went in to see that official and suld: "I understand the king of Italy, the Iking of England and the king of Korea bave recently laid a communication before you.” t "Where did you get any such underjstandlng as that?” the high naval offl«dal asked In great surprise. ' "Why, I was at your house Saturday (night, and you were too busy to be peen, but when the butler went into ttbe library I heard you say something {about three kings, and ,1 supposed those were the ones.” i “Ah, yes,” said the high naval official. “I did have a communication from three kings Saturday night ut the time you mention, but it was laid on the table. Another gentleman had a communication from three aces.” Their Lone Service. I March 4 marked the completion of Shirty-three years of service in congress or each of the Maine senators. Probably there Is no exact parallel to such .a record in the history of the governanent Mr. Hale entered the house of repgesentatives March 4, 1800. Precisely (two years later Mr. Frye also became a imember of the house. Mr. Hale, however, was not a member of the Fortyslxtb congress in either branch, but iMr. Frye served continuously In the bouse till he was elected senator. Succeeding Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, rvlce president during Lincoln’s first (term, Mr. Hale took his seat In the «enate March 4, 1881. Mr. Frye took bis seat in the senate March 18, 1881, euaccHMliug Hon. James G. Blaine, who •entered President Garfield’s cabinet as eecretary of state. He thus became a (senator fourteen dnys later than Mr. (Hale, but Mr. Frye served fourteen •idays longer In the house than did the (senior Maine senator.

Nevertheless their aggregate service in the senate and house Is the same to <a day, thirty-three years in all for •each. The Adjournment. ' The minds of members of congress •are turning to the question of the adjournment of that body. There Is a (unanimous opinion among those who (call at the White House and who have ireferred to adjournment In talking twlth the president that there is absolutely no reason why the legislature should l>e in session after May 1, and some senators and representatives declare that April 15 would be the propfir dime for adjournment. Senator Lodge says that congress •ought to be üble to finish Its work by [April 15 at the latest. “It seems to he said, “that there Is nothing to keep congress here after April 15. The canal treaty Is out of the way, and the (appropriation bills can be bandied in (Sufficient time to get away by the mididle of April." ! House> leaders also see no reason against an early adjournment. In the [bouse adjournment can be arranged for at almost any time, aa the rules of (that body permit the expedition of ibuslness. I Hot m Howeomor. I A few days after Lieutenant Gor>eral Chaffee was Inducted Into his oilice tone of the oldest and moat widely known of the Washington correspondents, who had never met the general, jwas presented to him In his office at {the war department by the chief of lone of the military divisions. When (the correspondent was formally preIwated General Chaffee aroee and, grasping the hand of his visitor, cordially said: "I am pleased to meet you. Bow h»g have yon been in the dtyr (This with a reassuring smile, suppoejb« his caller was a casual visitor. The (general wss surprised when the correspondent promptly replied, "Thirty (years." The visitor wss Invited to a Heat, and an Interesting quarter of an •: • ' ' - ~ ~ ~'' **'..■

The Father of Good Roads. Representative Brownlow's claims to being the father of the good roads movement is disputed by some one else than Senator Latimer of South Carolina. Representative W. M. Lannlng of New Jersey thinks neither of those gentlemen is entitled to the proud laurel. He claims it for himself. The New Jersey statesman has barely arrived In congress, but he calls attention to all claimants that he was talking good roads and drafting legislation therefor some fourteen years ago. New Jersey heeded his words and placed a law, of which he was the author, upon Its statute books. Mr. Lanning says it was the law used as the model for many other state laws on the same subject long before Mr. Latimer uud Mr. Brownlow were known to congressional fame. Platt Actln* Chairman. The controversy over the selection of a chairman of the Isthmian canal committee in place of the late Senator Hanna has led to a conclusion to attempt no decision at present The matter will be allowed to rest and the committee on committees win not meet in the immediate future. The senate leaders say that Mr. Platt of New York is acting chairman. If the canal committee meets he will preside, in accordance with the custom In such cases, and If the committee has business to transact it will be taken up under Mr. Platt’s direction.

CARL SCHOFIELD.