Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

HE STATE OF THE City We point to tho
inaugural address and subsequent message of
the new Mayor of Washington, delivered yes
terday, for conclusive confirmation of the pro-
priety Of the Stars appeals for months past,
Tor different state Of things here so far as pro-
lection to property and life is concerned His
appeals to the Councils mentioned above are
worthy of the great interests the safety of which
he is supposed to hold in tho hollow of his hand;
though whether he is to be justly responsible for
the future peace and good government of the
Federal Metropolis, will depend much, indeed,
on the fact whether the Councils do or do not
listen to his suggestions, and accord to him the
means he declares to be necessary, in his judg-
ment, to eonsummate the ends all good citizens
Of all parties sincerely desire to see accom-
plishsd.
Beyond all question, for six months past
iawlessness has ruled here with a higher and
more vindictive, merciless, dangerous and de-
structive hand than ever before
As late as Sunday last a gang attacked the
residence OF Mr.. Magruder, on the outskirts of
the city, wounded him on his own premises
with pistol shot, insulted his wife and family
and marched of without let or hindrance
That night another gang, ten bullies in number
broke by violence into the closed bar-room of
one OF the leading hotels of Washington, helped
themselves to what they fancied, and after put
ting the house in an uproar, also made their
escape without arrest
SImllar parties have played the same game
daily around the city for months; yet, as far as
We can learn, hardly a single arrest of those
participating in such outrages has been made
The truth seems to US to be, that the portion of
the police disposed to do their duty are afraid
to risk their lives in it's performance. while
another portion are friends and associates of
Mt least the leaders Of these yilIainous gangs.
W nile we can hear of no arrests, common rumor
names policeman after policeman as being no
torious Baltimore or Washington bullies and
shoulder hitters." Nay, it has become Lot
uncommon to see Washington police officers
riding in their uniform around the city. screech-
ing mad under the influence of liquor Under
such circumstances, tits by no means wonderful
that few or no arrests made for the crimes
OF arson, house breaking, robbery and wanton
destruction Of hotel and restaurant furniture
@c., IL our midst, and that the life of no man
1t matters not what his position in society or
4
tons may be-is safe.
NO sane man can doubt the truth of Mayor
berrets explanations of the necessity for the
use OF extraordinary exertions to retrieve the
peace and character Of the Federal Metr,noli..
nor can 1t be doubted that if Accumulated IL
must be done under his supervision nd through
his eIertions in the main, aided by a thoroughly
reformed police. While we are no advocate
for an indiscriminate removal of all the present
police, we are certainly for the displacement Of
The vicious or inefficient among them Who
they may be individually, it is the Mayors
duty to learn without delay; as it is also his
duty TO replace them with men chosen With an
eye single to the end Of securing the services
oil the best possible persons for the efficient dis
charge Of the duties Of tho position
The new Mayor of Washington has had ex-
perence In life,st least sufficient in the present
condition OF our city to impress this fact ON his
mind. While his appointments ON the police
will be thoroughly scanned, as they should be.
By all his fellow citizens Of all parties-f r tho
future OF the lives and property of all will lie
IN their keeping IN greater or less degree
we feel assured that al men Of character and
influence here will, as they should, DISCHARGE
fhsir duty in the emergency, by lending n
efforts their cOuntenance, without regard 10
their political differences. Unless they do So
the public cannot reasonably expect him to
succeed in the praisewortby work he has an
nouneed as being the first task he takes in
hand
Upon the newt y-eleeted Councils is also de-
Volved a full share of just responsibility for the
success of his contemplated efforts. Their duty
is plainly to discard all other considerations
than that Of the restoration Of law and order in
Washington, in the shortest possible time, at
whatever pecunisry cost that may be necessary.
A failure Of cordial cooperation on their part
with the Mayor will surely be the prolongation
Of the existing state of things; and the public
already look TO them as fairly dividing with