Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-20
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.


ington city election bill now before the House.
Its article of yesterday is evidently from
pen other than that of the editor, though the
falsehood that the existing law requires
years residence after naturalization in addi-
ton to the qualification Of years residence
before voting, which all voters In this city
must have, is unblushingly reiterated in it,
The statement is made on the theory that
Tom, Dick, and Harry, acting as commission
ers of election here, upon the authority Of an
order from the Know Nothing lodges of this
city, may assume to be judges Of the exist
ing election law, after our highest law court
has solemnly affirmed what are the suffrage
rights of their Notwithstanding what
the court has affirmed to be the law at de-
fance when such conduct on their part may
be likely, temporarily, to subserve the inter-
ests of Know Nothingism.
Our talented neighbor, in order to make out
a case in favor of making the term Of natu-
ralization here six, instead Of Eve years, as
the existing law provides, is compelled to ad-
vocale tho doctrine that none but property
holders should vote in this city-such being
the evident drift Of its plan. If that rule
were adopted, we can assure it that Know No.
thingism would give but beggarly account
of itself, indeed at Washington ballot-box.
1t is Mortified at the idea that mechanic
who comes here to work at his trade and pos.
sesses no property among US, shall be allowed
to neutralize with his vote, that of Wash
ington city property holder. This position is
a Legitimate result of tho principle of Know
Nothingism That principle sets out to make
distinc tons between classes of citizens of the
United States; and when one set of such dis
tinctions fail-those of religion and birth
place-it slides very easily over to the adop
tiOn of another distinction to compass its ends;
that Of property holding. A pretty market
truly, this, to which our Know Nothing fell
lov-citizsns, who live by what they earn by
days work, have brought their ducks
The reader may put in his pipe and smoke
all our truthful neighbor says about the eff
forts of the General Government to influence
the votes Of the mechanics and laborers in
Washington who draw their support from
working on Government buildings, DC. lie
who asserts that the present Administration
makes any question whatever as to the politics
Of mechanic or laborer in Government en-.
ployment here, or has ever made any such
question, " beats Tom Pepper" at "lying."
And all the world knows that Tom is said to
have beaten the ID in that elegant partizan
accomplishment.
On obtaining the control of our municipal
affairs in June, 1883, the Know Nothings ruth
lessly prescribed every man wherever born
who was opposed to them in politics and then
the National Administration dismissed in re-
taliation, portion of the Know Nothin 20 en-
plOyed On salaries in the Departments re-
placing them for the most part with persons
prescribed under the edict of the Washington
city secret political associations.
Such, in few words, is the history of the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in this city, since
men among US began to swear at midnight
ruthlessly to prescribe any and all of their
fellow-citisens who failed to agree with them
in politics.
81,
and truthful neighbor is anxious to preserve
for its party the opportunity of playing over,
in June next, its game of last June-of sta
tioning gangs of blIllies around all the polls
to elbow, insult, and brow-beat all their ap-
parently friendless and uninfuential oppo-
nents who dare approach them-of thus pre-
venting as many as possible of their opponent
from voting, until the windows may be closed
by their parti1an commissioners (who, though
careful to bag the votes Of all of their own
party,) did that thing in the faces of hundreds
Of their opponent, who stood ready and anx.
ious to get In their ballots.
As for our foreign born fellow citizens Of
Washington, they are as good and true men
as any others; and quite as much devoted to
our country as any Know Nothings ever were.
No fair-minded man doubts this fact who wit
messed and contrasted their respect for the
laws and public peace on our last election
day, with that Of the gangs Of Know Nothing
DULLES who rendered themselves conspicuous
for their efforts to rule America" after their
most approved Louisville fashion on that
occasion.
The scheme Of the Washington city lodges
is to make the term Of naturalization here,
practically, six years rather than five, as the
existing law of the United States for the whole
country provides. 1t is for Congress to deter.
mine whether the bill shall be SO amended as
to make any such odious distinction in this
community.
The Cemmission.-Yesterd afternoon,
when the House proceeded to vote upon the
resolution authorising the Elections Commit.
tee to send for persons and papers in the Kan
sas contested election case, it was found th at
the debate upon the condition of affairs in
Kansas had left the measure in question alb.
solutely without supporters worth mentioning.
So much for " shrieking for freedom" in the
House hall. The ultra Republican party de-
baters had steadily insisted that the fate of
the country, as it were, hinged on compliance