The Portland daily press., 1891-12-16

An improbable Rumor Gives Mills
the Foreign Affairs Craftsmanship
He, Like the Speaker, Has the Grip and
Is Seriously Ill.
Especial to the Press.l
WASHINGTON. December 15.-Repre-
sentative Roger Q. Mills Is pretty sick
man, although his family and physicians
are hopeful of his pulling through by care
full attention. 1t was reported today that
he had pneumonia. His physicians to-
night say that this is not true, but there is
no concealment of the fact that ne has a
very severe attack of the grip. and that his
illness is of such a nature he needs the ut
most skill and watchfulness If his life is to
be saved. Mr.. Mills, while man of the
most robust physique and the possessor of
a splendid constitution, has over-taxed him
self and. because he has hitherto enjoyed
splendid health, he has been very careless.
Last Saturday, after having been confined
to the house by severe cold. he went out
without an overcoat, and to this may be di-
rectly traced his present dangerous illness.
By the advice of his physicians who are
constantly at his bedside, no one with the
exception of Mrs. Mills is admitted to the
sick room. Absolute quiet an rest are en-
joined by the doctors. Mr. Mllls's condi-
Ii0n was reported as being trifle better
this evening, although still serious enough
to cause his friends great anxiety.
The Lottery in Politics.
A new element has entered the field
against the denomination OF President
Harrison. 1t is the lottery. A few nights
ago. conference of the leading lottery
agents and lobbyists was held in this city.
It is said compact was arranged between
the representatives Of the great social octo-
pus and the lottery lobbyists for political
work. The lottery men are to try to secure
delegations from the South who are to vote
''tor anybody rather than Harrison"
The agents of the Mexican and Canadian
lotteries IeIt are to also energize opposition to
standing was reached and work was i'm
mediateiy began. Several Southerners
employ ed In the executive departments here
have, since the meeting, been approached
by representatives of the lotteries and Of
fered cash inducements to either go into
their own districts and enter the contests
1or delegates or secure the selection OF
friends whom they can control, and who
will see that President Harrison is not re-
nominated. One c0lored man was offered
thousand dollars If he would secure
one delegate from Texas, while
another man was offered i've hundred
dollars to control the delegates from an
other Southern State. 1t will create no
surprise among those VINO have watched
the course of legislation since President
Harrs0n's inauguration TO learn of this ef-
fort to terminate his Presidential career at
the end of this term, but it will doubtless
create indignation ON the part of the pee
thr0nOhnnf nh
posed to the lottery vampires to learn that
these corruptions, and especially the worst
election controllers at New Orleans, are to
enter the Northern States and work
against the denomination of the mao, who,
more than any other, is responsible for the
law which Is, in national way at least,
wiping the lottery business out of exist
ence and who promises his every effort to
its complete extirpation. At the recent
conference were all of the well known
lobbyists who have for many years infest-
ed the corridors of the CaDitol, and who
by the use of money ana every other in
ducement, have succeeded at all the Con-
crosses but the last, in defeating every
measure intended to strike blow at the
greatest moral leper which has fastened Its
fangs upon society.
Grip and the Committees.
Speaker Crisp is pegging steadily away
at the make up of his committee list.
Judge Crisp. like nearly every other prom
inent man In Washington at this time, is
affected BY the prevailing grip epidemic,
and he has a cold, which, while not serious.
made him keep his room today. He did
not come to the Capitol at all, but put In
several hours steady work at his hotel.
There is slight expectation that when the
House meets tomorrow the committee on
annnnnnp6
belief Is that the session Of the House
tomorrow will be extremely dry and that
the principal business transacted will be
to listen to the chaplain's
| prayer. Rumor has 1t that IL Mr.. Mills Is
not made chairman of the ways and means
that Mr.. Springer and not the member
| from Texas will be the chairman, The
| chairmanship of the foreign affairs COM
mittee will be offered to him. This rumor
cannot be either officially denied or af-
irmed tonight, but there Is probably not
voted very little thought to the study of
our foreign affairs and would hardly find
| the work of that committed cOngenial
| Mr. Mills hopes to be elected TO the Senate
| next April. when the Texas legislature is
| called In special session to fill the vacancy
caused by the retirement of Judge Reagan,
| and 1t Is the general belief of his friends
here that he will be elected practically
| without contest. as more than rs Der cent
Of the members of the legislature are for
| him.
| Mr.. Putnam Mentioned.
1t Is reported that the President intends
to nominate VIM. l.. Putnam of Portland
as one Of the new United States circuit
judges. There are nine judges to be ap-
pointed and 1t is believed that two of them
will be northern Democrats.
A Sailors Letter.
BALTIMORE, Md, December 15--The at
tack on the sailors of the United States
cruiser Baltimore at Valparaiso is de-