Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-27

There Is probably no place In the country
where more Ii done by Its Inhabitants to
beautify their homes by the cultivation of
flowers, shubbery, etc, than by the citizens
OF Washington. Nor Is there place where
such efforts are more successful, considering
the discouragements and drawbacks under
which they are made. We refer more espe-
cially to the pulling OF flowers, the destruc-
zion Of shubbery, and the theft OF rare plants
from private grounds. so great has this
abuse grown In some parts OF the city that
not q few OF those who have been so fire.
Quently raided are now hesitating between
giving up the pleasant duty OF ornaneating
their grounds and lying in walt for the
marauders with loaded shot guns. Tne
most curious thing to these sufferers is the
fact that the police apparently never see
any OF the despoiliDg, aud that, in spite of
the stringent law on the subject, no arrests
are made, or at least no punishment is in
dicted.
For the benefit OF all concerned we repub-
lish below the law referred to. 1t would
seem that under this, q little watchfulness
on the part OF citizens, aided by the CO ope.
ration OF the police, would certainly break
up the practice complained OF. At all
events, few endorsements of its penalties
could hardly fall 10 have a salutary effect:
AN ACr In re, alton To malicious Injuries
10, and tTo frasses upon, pubic and pri-
Tate PropeI y, within the District Of Co
Be IL enacted, DC, That every person who
shall wtlfully and maliciously, or wantonIy
and without cause, In the District of Column
Ola, cut down or destroy, or by girdling, lop-
ping, or otherwise iDjure any fruit or other
tree, not his own, standing or gro wing for
shade. ornament, or other useful purpose. or
shall malicioUsly destroy, mutilate, or other
wise iDJure any statuary. monument, or
other work OF art, standing or being on land
not his Own, or shall maliciously break down
tniirrp fanco RprInsinO or IA uf 70
3nothei's land, or shall msliciously sever
from the freehold Of another any product
be punished by Imprisonment in jail not
more than three months. or by a dne not ex-
ceediBg one hundred dollars.
trict. wIthou. color OF right, shall wilfully
commit any trespass by cutting down or de-
stroying any timber or wood standing on the
kind OF timber or wood cut down or lying on
such land, or by digging up or carrying away
any Stone, ore, gravel, clay, sand, turf, or
plant there being, or by cutting down or car
rying away any grass. hay, grain, or corn
standing or being on such land, shall be
punished Oy imprisonment In Jail not more
than sixty days, or by fine not exceeding
Sec. 8. That every person who, in said Dis
commit any trespass by entering upon the
garden, orchard, or other i'm proved land of
smother, with intent TO cut, take, carry
away, destroy, or tDjure the trees, grain,
grass, hay, fruit, or vegetables there grow
ing or being, shall be punished by imprison-
ment in jail not more than forty days, or by
nne not exceeding fifty dollars.
Bee. t. That justices Of the peace shall
have exclusive original Jurisdiction in all
cases mentioned In the preceding sections,
saving, however, TO any party convicted
before such justice, the right TO a trial by
jury ON his appeal 10 the criminal court.
Sec. 3 TIA every person convicted before
justice of the peace of any offence named
u this act. and appealing therefrom, shall
Re committed to abide the sentence of the
criminal court, until he shall recognize,
with sureties, In such reasonable sum as the
justice shall require, with condition to ap-
pear at said court, there TO prosecute his APP
peal ard 10 abide sentence thereon. On such
appeal being taken and bond filed, the Justice
snall make a copy of the conviction and
otAer proceedings In the case and transmit
The same, together with the recognizaace, to
the clerk OF the criminal court.
Approved, June %, 1850.