Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-11

FROM WASHINGTON.
News From the Seat Of
Government.
A Bill to Improve the Standing
of the Militia.
An Investigation Of the Census
Office Ordered.
Justice Lamar Said to Be Very Hl-A
Discussion of the Prcsiden-
tisl Possibilities of
Both Parties.


Both Parties.
WASHINGTON, ID. O., April PA bill
has been recently introduced, which al
though non-partisan, will prove OF in
terest to all citizens, and it should
receive the favorable consideration OF
the house and senate. The bill was in
troduced by Congressman Cutting and
it provides for the reorganization of the
militia system Of our country. 1t may
not be generally known, but it is never
theless the fact, that the only general
militia law in existence is that of 1892,
which ordains that ''every aple-bodled
male citizen OF the respective states,
resident therein, who is Of the age OF 18
years and under the age of 45 years,
shall be enrolled in the militia"
1t further provides that latter notice
of his enrolment, every citizen shall be
constantly provided with good musket
or irelock, of bore sufficient for balls
of the eighteenth part of pound, a
sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare
fints, and knapsack, etc." This quota
tion is sufficient to show how thor
oughly antiquated and obsolete the law
is, and how little 1t is adapted to the re-
quirements of modern military condi-
tions.
The purpose of the Cutting measure is
to bring the general law into line with
the advanced military attainments of
the time, and into harmony with the
wise provisions enacted by the several
state legislatures in this respect. 1t
establishes a uniform system of organ
ization and discipline, and it appropri-
ates 100000 annually for the gradual
equipment of the force with the best
arms and accoutrements.
THE CENSUS OFFICE INQUIRY.
The house has at last ordered an inves-
tigation Of the census Office, but there ap-
pears to be dissatisfaction at the arrange
ment to have the investigation made by
the regular census committee. 1t is
asserted that members OF the committee
have been granted favors by Census
Superintendent Porter, and that in con-
sequence they would not be inclined to
make the investigation rigid and thor
ough. This state of affairs is upfortu-
nate. If an investigation of the census
Office is to be made it should be search
ing and complete one in justice to all
interests. If the work is to be under
taken by the committee on the census of
the house, that committee should begin
by investigating itself. If the members
of it have obtained appointments for
friends in the census Office, that fact
ought to be brought out. 1t may be the
receipt of such favors from Superintend-
ent Porter would not bias members, but
the public generally would have much
greater confidence in the result of the
investigation if things were otherwise.
JUSTICE LAMAR's CONDITION.
The condition of Justice Lamar of the
supreme court is much more serious
than the public generally is aware of.
He has been suffering with hemorrhages
of the lungs for several days, and in
addition is said to have symptoms of
Bright's disease.
His family is greatly worried at his
condition. The recurrence of hem
orrhages precludes sleep, and this
greatly aggravates his trouble.
Notwithstanding the gravity OF his
case, Justice Lamar is strong enough to
write, and when called upon sent down
a bulletin in his own handwriting, which
was: about the same some improve
ment. Hemorrhages less in number
and not so profuse. Pain in left side."
PRESIDENTIAL POSSIBILITIES,
The attitudes of those perched upon
the political see-saw have been as
changeable as the moon and as incon-
sistent as the weather. First one was
up in popular favor and then the other.
The political situation in the Demo-
cratic party has changed with every
month during the last half of the year,
and, although sentiment is gradually
,crvstallizing, no candidate yet has pos
tive assurance that he can hold down
his end of the see.saw, if the condition
of affairs is rightly understood at the
capital.
The Hill contingent, perhaps little
less noisy than it was, but none the
that without New York it would be inn
possible for citizen of that state to get
the nomination, and clinch this kind of
an argument with the statement that
Mr.. Cleveland's we'll known anti-eilver
views remove him from the pale of pos
sibilities as candidate, and the friends
of Mr.. Cleveland reply by asking what
the views of Mr.. Hill are on the subject,
anyhow.
Turning from Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Cleve-
land the calcium lights of the party,
the attention of politicians is next
drawn to the lesser luminaries, Messrs.
Palmer, Boies, German, Gray and Camp
bell, and in Mr.. Gray's connection the
present situation in the state of Indiana
is interesting. Up to few days ago all !
was rosy and fair for Isaac Pusey Gray,
and it was thought the delegation from
his state would 60 to the convention
like solid phalanx for the favorite son
of Indiana, but within few days there
has been revolt, and it is now said
that Cleveland will get the indiana
delegation.
Much Of the opposition to Gray is due
to the fact that it is charged that he
was trying to secure the selection of del
egates who, if they found he could not
be nominated, would give their support
to Hill. And again it was claimed that
good politics showed that Mr.. Gray stood
no chance of the nomination and Mr..
Cleveland, as the exponent of the great
question OF tariff reform which was to
overshadow that of silver, should be the |
standard bearer of the party, and that
silver should not figure in the coming