The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-08-06
WASHINGTON.
OUR sPEurAL LETTER.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 30, 1881.
The information from the President TO-
day is cheering indeed. He slept all through
last night with the exception Of single
brief interval, and the benefcent effects Of
this refreshing rest, just at this time, could
scarcely be overestimated. He is apparent
ly on the road to convalescence, once more.
The surgeons believe now that the worst is
passed. Since yesterday forenoon the Pres
ident has continued 10 improve, and last
night he expressed himself as feeling better
than he had for several days. There is ev-
cry reason now to hope for bis recovery. So
favorable was the change in the Presidents
condition, it was agreed by the physicians
this morning to give the sick room tho
rough airing and cleansing. He was moved
from the room on the south front (where he
has been since the day of the shooting) 10
the large room at the extreme western cor
ner of the north front, known as the "Guest
Room" The apartment is large and airy,
with windows looking out upon the new
State Department building, to the west, and
the beautiful park on the north. The NOV
ing was attended without difficulty, the
sick bed being easily rolled from one room
to the other. It is the same room occupied
by Mrs. Garfield during her recent illness.
The change being made in order to purify
the old room, the carpet was taken up, the
room swept clean and purified by large
FIRE in the open CRATE, which was burned
for an hour. In the meantime the Presi-
dent ate regularly and slept well at inter-
walls, and when awake was quite cheerful
His room was in complete order at late
hour this afternoon, but he was resting SO
comfortably that it was deemed best not To
move him at that time. The carpet was re-
placed by strips being placed in the more
frequented parts of the room, and clean lace
curtains had been hung in the windows.
All the physicians are quite jolly to-day.
Unless some unforeseen accident occurs, they
are now quite confident of his recovery.
Drs. Hamilton and Reyburn remained in
charge of the patient all the forenoon. The
outer edge of the wound, above the incision,
shows signs of healing, and pus has been
discharged all day. DR.. Hamilton will re-
main with the President until tomorrow,
and will leave for New York in the after.
noon, when relieved by DIR. Agnew. DR..
Hamilton telegraphed to friend this after
noon that the President wcs looking better
than at any previous time.
The question of Homestead Entry, hav-
ing been referred to him by the Interior
Department, Attorney General Mac Veagh
has decided that where homestead entry
of public lands has been made by settler,
the land so entered, cannot, whilst such en-
try stands, be set apart by the Presdsnt for
a military reservation, even "prior the COM
pletion of full title in the settler" but that
where pre-emption filing has been made
of public lands, the land covered thereby
my be set apart by the President for such
reservation at any time previous to the pay
ment and entry by the settler under the
pre- emption law.
Mr.. ]. w. Simonton's retirement from
the direction Of the New York Associated
rress will be very much regretted by every
well.informed journalist in the country.
To bis ability and untiring energy the AS
sociated Press is largely indebted for the
efficiency Of the present system of collect
ing news. Mr.. Houston, who succeeds Mr..
Simonton, has at times temporarily filled
the place, and latterly has been London
agent. He brings to his new position long
experience, and an ability equal, it is be-
lieved, to maintaining the reliability of the
service.
Somewhat to the surprise of number of
friends, Colonel John G. Burch, Secretary
of the Senate, died at his residence in this
city yesterday about 2 o'clock. His all
ment was organic disease of the heart. De-
ceased had been sick ever since the adjourn
ment Of the Senate, and about six weeks
ago visited his home in Nashville, Tennes-
see, where he improved somewhat, and
looked after the interests of his newspaper,
the Nashville American. About a week
ago he returned to Washington, and his
condition changed for the worst, and BIZ
family being with him, he was tenderly
nursed, and the day before yesterday wa'
pronounced out of danger. There was {
change for the worse yesterday morning
however, and he sank rapidly and died il
the afternoon. AUGUST.