“Let’s prop him up anyhow; maybe we can ride him again,” insisted Dr. Bryan. “Let’s rest,” the others said, and they all sat down.—_Morgan’s Buzz-Saw._ _Influence of Letters_ JOHNSON—What do you think of those correspondence schools? BRONSON—I guess love is about the only thing in this world you can learn by correspondence. * * * * * _A Bad Break_ SUITOR—I’d marry your daughter if she didn’t have a single dollar. ROCKSEY—Then you’re a bigger fool even than I thought you were. Get out of my house at once. _News Record_ FROM FEBRUARY 7 TO MARCH 7, 1905 _Government and Politics_ February 7.—The Navy Department awards contracts for armor plate to two companies belonging to the Steel Trust, notwithstanding the fact that the Midvale Steel Co., which is outside the Trust, underbid the other two companies $56 per ton, or over $75,000 in the aggregate. Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton says the award was made because he feared the Midvale Steel Co. could not furnish the plates on time. February 8.—The charge is made in the Wyoming Legislature that United States Senator Francis E. Warren has three persons on the payroll who are never in Washington and that the salaries are turned over to Warren. A resolution to investigate the charge is tabled. The National Red Cross Society is reorganized with Honorable William H. Taft, Secretary of War, at its head. Honorable Judson Harmon, of Cincinnati, and F. M. Judson, of St. Louis, are appointed special attorneys to investigate the granting of rebates by the Santa Fé Railroad. Representative Comerford is expelled from the Illinois Legislature for making charges of graft against the members. February 9.—The President signs the bill providing for the building of railroads in the Philippines. February 10.—The United States takes over the custom house collections at Monte Cristi, Santo Domingo. February 11.—It is announced at the White House that all the members of the Cabinet will be reappointed except Postmaster-General Wynne, who will be made Consul-General at London. George B. Cortelyou, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, will be the new Postmaster-General. February 13.—Secretary of State Hay announces that the arbitration treaties, because of Senate amendments, will not be presented to the governments with which they were originally negotiated. President Roosevelt, speaking at a Lincoln Day banquet in New York, defines his position on the race question. February 15.—The President sends the Santo Domingo treaty to the Senate, with a letter upholding the Monroe Doctrine, but insisting that the smaller American republics must pay their debts. February 16.—President Roosevelt orders a thorough investigation of the Standard Oil Trust in accordance with the House resolution.