The Portland daily press., 1890-07-22
THE ARKANSAS LAW AGAINST PISTOLS.
Prohibition Which 1t Is Evident Does
Not Prohibit.
Charges Against Gen. Raum To Be
Laid at Rest.
Gen. Miles on Our DefenseIess Coast
washington DoIngs.



WASHINGTON, July 21.-It is we'll known
that the "original package" decision caused
or might cause complication in regard to
many things besides intoxicating liquors.
The State of Iowa prohibits kerosene oil be-
low a certain grade of fneness; Maine pro-
hibits oleomargarine as we'll as rum. In the
debate upon the bill in the House, Repre-
sentatives from various states have called
attention to local conditions of their own.
The most interesting case is that Of Arkan.
sas, set forth by Mr.. Rogers. In Arkansas
they have prohibitory law against pistols
and revolvers. No man may carry a conceal
ed pistol and while the state did not assume
to deny the constitutional right of a man to
carry arms, 1t made the law so that he who
would carry pistol openly can do so law
fully only by taking it in his right hand and
carry anything many minutes in this way,
the Arkansas pistol law is practically entire
prohibition. But it is evaded, and in case Of
need the Arkansas man generally manages
to have a weapon handy. In the hearing on
the Clayton contest at Little
Rock the Arkansas audience was conspicu-
GUS for the large number of small travelling
bags which men from the country precincts
brought in slung over their shoulders. Those
who knew the country said that each bag
held cat and that each cat had kit in the
shape of a lead bullet well backed with
powder.
Some time ago Representative Cooper of
Indiana, a Democrat, introduced into the
House resolution calling for an investiga-
tion of Green B. Raum, commissioner of
pensions, upon the alleged grounds that he
had given to Lemon, the Washington pen
sion attorney, undue advantages in the
prosecution of claims in return for Lemons
endorsement upon Raum's notes. 1t was
also alleged that Raum forced employees in
his department to earn their promotions by
taking stock in a refrigerator company in
which Raum is alleged to be interested.
Cooper has procured no evidence to back up
these charges, and 1t Is not believed that he
can prove them but in view of the Importance
OF the bureau and the seriousness of the
charges which Cooper has taken occasion to
bring to public attention several times. it is
probable that a resolution ordering an in
vestigation will be reported from the com
mittee on rules before long. The pension
bureau is one with which the people of the
country have great deal to do and it is due
to the people and Commissioner Raum, also
that no suspicious should be allowed to rest
on the bureau.
The general deficiency bill, which is the
last of the session, has been completed.
Among its items is one of $15,5O0 for COM
pletiDg. the light house and fog-signal at
Lubec Nairows, Me. The appropriation for
1887 was $4,000 and for 1889 $4,000.
Among recent appointments is that of
Arthur L. Benedict, of New York, as as
sistant surgeon in the marine hospital SER
vice to succeed Frederick G. Heath, who has
resigned. DR.. Heath is from Maine and was
for time connected with the Portland
Marine Hospital.