The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-02
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The House Military Committee has agreed
TO report bill granting bronze medals to
each surviving member Of the forlorn hope
stormiug party at Port Hudson, Miss
Early in the summer of 1868 the army Of
the Gulf, commanded by General Banks,
laid siege to Port Hudson, the most impOr-
tant strategic point on the Lower MtssiS-
sippi. Repeated assaults met with repulse
and great loss of life. As last resort, on
June 18th General Banks called for y0luD-
teers to make up a stOrming party of 1000
men ito vindcate the flag of the Union and
the memory of its defenders who have
fallen" Nearly 900 men volunteered, each
one realizing the gravity OF his action. 1t
was desperate expedition. Farewells
were exchanged and last letters written.
The plan was to make desperate charge,
compelling the Confederates to concentrate
their forces to repel the attack, aud while
this was going on the Union forces would
swoOp down and take advantage Of the
situation. The members of the f0rlorn
hope expected to be sacrificed. For three
weeks they were held in readiness for the
assault, their nerves being strung to the
highest tension. At the end of this time
Vicksburg surrendered, Port Hudson fol-
lowed suit, and the brave volunteers re-
joined their regiments. They richly deserve
their medals, General Banks having de-
clared that the officers who led the column
to victory would be rewarded with pro-
motion, and that every officer and soldier
sharing its perils and glory would be given
a medal.
Abdul-Hamid ii. the Sultan of Turkey,
who succeeded his deposed brother, Mourad
V, after reign of three months, is now
between two fires, threatened with the loss
of a portion of his domain, or deposition
and death. BY the treaty of Berlin, which
stayed the aggressive designs of Russia.
the Sultan promised to inaugurate num-
Der of reforms. The Cars repeated de-
mands for the execution of the international
compact of 1878 not having been complied
with, Turkey was at length stimulated to
make some show of compliance by threats
from other quarters of the withdrawal Of
guarantees of the integrity of the Ottoman
Empire. The reforms not going as far as
stipulated, Russia, Servia and Greece now
threaten hostile demonstrations to termi
nate maladministration in Armenia. Mace
donia and Crete. Meanwhile the Ulema
pOssessOrs of both ecclesiastical and legal
attributes, strenuously protest against con-
templated reforms, declaring that the
restoration of the old regime" can alone
conduce TO the empires prosperity.
BeacOnstield in his day praised the Sultan
for his courage and. ability, but he is at
present haunted with fears of assassina-
ton.
The Federal Election Bill. it is expected,
will be disposed of by the House to-day.
The majority report Of the committee adj
vocating the passage of the measure de-
clared that the bill is only partial exer-
else of the plenary power of Congress in
regard to the election of representatives.
1t provides merely that the United States
shall watch over every step of an election
which concerns the choice of 4 member of
Congress; shall give to all the proceedings
the utmost publicity, the surest safeguard
of the rights of the people, and shall, by a
single act of control, if necessary, prevent
the false certification of member by any
State officer or officers who may be ready to
violate the laws.
The funds just voted by the Reichstag
will enable the German Government to
create sew enty new field batteries, increase
the establishments of the infantry and
cavalry regiments, especially of the army
corps located on the Russian and French
frontiers, and form a new Bavarian di-
vision. The army now has 364 batteries,
the addition increasing the number to 434.
while France has 400 and Russia 424. The
new Bavarian division alone means an addi-
ton Of about 1000 infantry to the fighting
force.
The Senate has passed the bill admitting
Idaho to the Union. OF the population of
the proposed now State one-tifth, or more
than $4,000 people, are adherents to the
Mormon faith. The assessed valuation of
property for 1889 was 1913 94S, OBS, and the
mineral product amounted to Sl7.3A.600,
Idaho being the greatest lead producing
region in the United States