The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-04
Native of Mooresville, Ind. Who Is
Now i'm Congress and Has Held
Several Important Offices.
UMPIRE FOR CHILEAN CLAIMS
PRESIDENT OF SWITZERLAND
ASKED TO APPOINT ONE.
Bsll That Provides for Extension of
Military Instruction i'm the
Public Schools.

WASHINGTON, April S.-The President
to-day nominated Smith Mcpherson, of
Iowa, to be United States district judge of
the southern district Of Iowa. Mr.. McPher-
son was serving his first term in the
House, and had already made an impress
sion there as a forceful debater. He was
born at Mooresville, Ind, Feb. II, 1SiS He
graduated at the law school of the Univer-
sity of Iowa in 1870, and began the practice
of law at Red Oak, Ia, where he has since
resided. In 1874 he was elected district at
torney of the Third judicial district and
was reelected in 1878. serving until his
election attorney general of the State in
1850. in which position he served four years.
He did not hold official position again until
elected to Congress in 1898.
The bill of Representative Marsh. of ILL
uois designed to extend military instruc-
ton to the public schools of the country.
was favorably acted on by the House COM
mittee on military affairs to-day. The pre-
amble recites:
''Whereas. The national defense must de-
pend upon the volunteer service of the peo-
pie of the several States, and
Whereas. Those cities and towns which
shall adopt a system of military instruc-
tion in their public schools are entitled to
the assistance of the government in order
to secure to the United States such a
knowledge of military affairs among the
youth of the country as will render them
efficient as volunteers If called upon for the
national defense; therefore etc.
The bill provides that in addition to the
officers assignable to public schools
the President may assign retired officers
and noncommissioned officers-sergeants,
corporals etc.--in the public schools of the
of mi ted tat RS
where instruction should have been
authorized by the educational authorities
thereof and the services of such instructors
shall have been applied for by said author
ities- 1t is further provided that the city
or town authorities shall pay the cost of
Communication of quarters and the extra
duty pay of the officer so assigned. and
that the secretary of shall issue ord
nance stores to the public schools OF any
city any normal OF any State which
shall impart military instruction as part
of It's public school system.
Mr.. Gilbert, of Kentucky, to-day intro
duced a resolution reciting that the Sec
rotary OF agriculture be requested to report
TO the House whether horse flesh is being
packed or cured as human food in this
country; and, II so, at what places and to
what extent.
At the Cabinet meeting to-day a dispatch
was read from General Otis covering the
operation of the army in the Philippines
for considerable period. The subject of
a reduction in the revenues by Congress
was discussed. II is understood the adj
ministration is in favor of a revision of
the war revenue act, so as to cut down the
receipts, but In view of the fact that to
make any move in that direction probably
would prolong the present session of Con-
gress for many weeks. If not months. 1t
is thought by representative Republicans
that nothing on this line would be advisa-
Die at this session. The resignation of As
sistant Secretary of the Interior Webster
Davis was discussed. and IL is understood
the President will accept the same
through the secretary OF the interior
The Treasury Department has amended
the mint regulations relative to appoint-
ments and promotions by providing that
in each of the operating departments ap-
prentices may be appointed as the needs of
the service require Apprentices shall be