Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-05-23

anectng the question Of capital punishment
can be based upon the facts, unless a con-
nectiOn can be shown. Ii furthersays:
cit does not follow because a number of mur-
(eIers have lately paid the death penalty that
II has heretofore been Tigdly exacted. We
Know IL has not been We know, moreover,
that moral effects do not instantly succeed
causes The current period is more likely to be
the consequence of former laxity than of exist
ing strietness in the execution of tho law OF
capital punishm ent The criminal class must
have some enduring experience Of the sternness
of the law, and become convinced that they are
not merely witnessing spasmodic exhibition
OF Its severity, likely soon to pass over, before
we can fairly determine the effect, be il sal utary
or otherwise. Of the scaffold scenes we have
lately been obliged to witness. Let Us wait q
little"
The cholera seems to have obtained a foot
hold in epidemic form in New Orleans, and
there are already indications of its rapid spread
to the surrounding country. Indeed, the towns
on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, remembering
their awful experience of '32 and AS 0, are even
at this early day alarmed at the prospect of its
advance northward with hot weather, and in
some OF them steps are already taken to stay its
progress as well to mitigate its horrors should
IT make its appearance.
In view on these facts, the people of Washing
ton cannot put their houses in order a day too
soon- Very hot weather will be upon us before
long, and, in all probability with great sudden
will be almost impossible to stamp IL out before
the return Of the cold season. We assume that
the Board of Health are doing all I'm their power
to put the city in good sanitary condition, but
all their efforts TO that end Will be in vain ualess
they have the hearty COOPERATION Of the public
generally. And by this phase we do not mean
good wishes alone, but earnest support and ac-
tive assistance. Let every man and woman in
the city vote themselves a vigilance committee
of one to see that not only their own premises
but those Of everybody else in their immediate
neighbOrhood are thoroughly cleaned I'D at
once and kept clean and free from nuisances of
all kinds during the summer. By such measures
alone can the general health be preserved
Another distressing accident resultingsfrom
the careless handling Of firearms by children
occurred in Baltimore yesterday, and should
the unfortunate little victim recover, which is
considered extremely doubtful, be viii lose the
sight Of both eyes. OF course, now that the
mischief Is done, the Lad who did it els terribly
distressed at the occurrence" Many accidents
OF tiss kind might easily be averted by the ex-
ercise Of a little care on the part of parents
Pistols, which are really more dangerous under
most circumstances than guns, as well a. the
latter, should be kept out Of the reach of chill
dren-especially OF boys, who have liking for
hrearmsNuntil such time as they fully under.
stand their danger and the necessity of handling
them carefully. Parents who neglect to take
these precautions may justly consider them
selves responsible for the accidental killing of
any Of their children from playing with loaded
firearms left lying around loose.
The Baltimore American, in an article ON
transportation, and referring to the recent con-
gressional and gubernatOrial conventions, saws
they did nothing except to pass resolutions cali
ing upon Congress to undertake the construc
ton Of certain canals and render nayiaable GER
tain rivers. Since these resolutions declare il To
be the duty Of the United States government to
construct these improvements, the American
asks; Why not 60 a step further, and request
the government to build railroads? 1t adds:
" The scruples which troubled one generation
OF democratic politicians concerning the consti-
tutionahty OF such action have passed away
pom ths Question all the leading men Of the
We believe IL was the late Mr.. Stevens, or some
gentleman who held the same views concerning
troduced q bin providing Tor the building Of = !
great national railroad TO the west. The project
cid not meet with much favor-from the gentle |
canal TO the west. Have they received any new !
light since thea?'
An ingenious Yankee In Paris has IL fs said
perfected a spark and cinder arrester for loco !
motives, which it 10 claimed works we'll, and |
has been placed on . leading French railroad. |
We don't know why he should 90 to Paris with |
his invention, as no people would appreciate it |
(if IL Is really good thing more than the
Americans, who are eminentlya nation of tray-
elers. The main discomfort Of railroad travel
ing is occasioned by the cinders from the loco
motive, which not only operate unpleasantly on
the visual organs, but half bury passenger in
gritty, grimy SCOT by the time he reaches his
destination. The railroad companies have been
trying to obviate this difficulty for years, but as
yet have found no effectual remedy.
Looked at from the Pennsylvania railroad
point of view, the Judiciary Of the keystone
state needs recognizing. The recent decision
against that corporation in the matter of the
BroadfOrd and MI. Pleasant line controversy
would indicate that some judges are no longer
loyal to the power that rules the commonwealth
III this step Is In earnest, and can be counted on
as evidence that the judiciary is really indie
pendent Of great corporations, the public Is to
be congratulated on the event; but If, on the
other hand, the court meanly took advantage
or Tom Scott's absence To give q decision
against him, he will make them bounce for IL
when he gets back. We viii wait and see.
Under the old revolutionary war cry of "no
taxation without representation, the property
holding women Of Rochester, New York, have
been marshalled by Miss Susan b. Anthony for
resistance 10 the tax collector. This organized
resistance Is doubtless the result Of the arrest
Of Miss Anthony and a number Of other women
for voting Illegally at the election last fall. The
trial Of the cases was yesterday set for the June
term OF the court, and when Ii comes of will
excite much interest a. the women have secured
the best legal talent 20 plead their Justification
under the later amendments 10 the constitution
OF the United States (.
Sec
In .arSf rha for for
ban cause, Gerritt Smith denounces the policy
Of England and the United States in remaining
neutral while barbarous o warfare IL icing
vaged on the part Of the Spanish government,
and prays for the day 20 come when the nations
OF the earth shall respect each others enact
ments only 20 FAR as they are in behalf Of jus
tice and humanity. He Asserts that the widest
and grandest upward steps o. mankind have
been taken in defiant opposition to what had
r;.harto heep "a Ia