The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-09-01
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
Washington, August 2S, 1911.

A declaration Just made by Seuator
Culberson. of Texas, in favor of allow
ing the voters Of that State to express
their Presidential preferences at the pri-
maries, marks the beginning of a fight
to secure a delegation to next years
Democratic National Convention pledged
to the support of Governor Wilson, Of
New Jersey
Senator Culberson has not openly de-
clared for the nomination of Governor
Wilson, but il has been known for some
time that he is well disposed towards the
fearless and progressive New Jersey Ex-
ecutive, and his present prononncement
in favor of Presidential primary in his
State is accepted as proof that at the
proper time he will publicly announce
himself for Wilson. Senator Bailey and
his followers are known to be opposed
to Wilson's candidacy and will propaby
direct their efforts towards sending del
egatiou from Texas to the Democratic
National Convention next year pledged
to the support of Governor Harmon.
AT present the voters of Texas select
most of their candidates for office, in
cluding United States Senators. by the
primary system. The selection Of the
Senatorial candidates by the primary
is offensive to Senator Bailey, and he is
soon going back TO the State with the
object of securing change that will ie-
strict tie primary system of nominating
candidates to minor offices. AS Senator
Culberson now takes a stand for extend
ing the use of the primary even to an
expression OF Presidential preference, it
can be seen that a sharp fight on the
question is impending between the Pro-
sressive and conservative wings of the
Democratic party in the State. Those
who are familiar with the sentiment of
the Democratic voters of Texas, say
that no doubt exists that big majority
of that party strongly favors the selection
of Governor Woodrow Wilson as the
Democratic Presidential candidate next
year. Hence it seems certain that If
| Senator Culberson's suggestion is adopt
| ed, and the people are allowed to express
their Presidential preferences at this falls
primary, Governor Wilson will be as
sured of the Tevas delegation to next
years convention.
He NAV get the delegation whether the
Culberson suggestion is accepted or not,
so strong is the sentiment of the State
for him. The system of expressing the
| popular preference for the Presidential
candidate OF party is no great novelty,
as it is already in use in five States.
These States are Oregon, where it was
first adopted; New Jersey, where its
adoption was due to the work of Gov
ernor Wilson; Nebraska, North Da-
kota and Wisconsin.
Conditions in the north of Mexico
along the Texas frontier are so inn
proved that Gene al Joseph W. Duncan,
commanding the Department of Texas.
recently recommended the removal Of
| all restrictions upon the American officers
and enlisted men in regard to making
! short trips into the nelghboring republic.
| The orders have kept the American mil
| itary absolutely on the northern side of
| the international line, preventing any
| trips of recreation into the southern
republic General Duncan's recommeu-
dation is now under consideration by the
| War Department with the probability
that it will be approved.
The situation in the province of Nor
clos, where the insurrectos under Cen
eral Zapata, refused recently to lay down
their arms, also is improving according
to advices received by the State Depart
ment few days ago American Charge
d'Afaires Deering at Mexico City re-
| ported that 700 LapatlSlaS already have
been mustered out and that no serious
injury 10 Amencon property during the
| Morelos trouble SO far has been reported.
Thirteen Americans who had been ar
rested at Iuarez for the alleged violation
of certain State laws have been released
under bond. the State Department also
was advised today by Consul Edwards.
| Two other Americans who were SIM
ilarlv arrested. the consul added. will be
released as soon as they furnish bond.
A ne-pounder gun, designed by Rear
| Admiral Nathan c. Twining, Chief of
the Naval Bureau of Ordnance to de-
stroy aeropanes in battle, was parti-
ally tested at the proving grounds, of the
navy. at Indian Head, Md. Its prelim-
! mary performance was very satisfactory
to the ordnance experts, Only one shot
was fired and at an angle Of SIS degrees,
the shot was sent 2 ooo feet into the air
and dropped into the Potomac River.
600 yards from the gun.
The test concerned principally the car
riage of the sky shooting weapon. THIS
feature is believed to have been per-
fected, permitting the elevation ofthe gun
at almost anv angle.