Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-12-29
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A Class Of ScOundrels That Need
l<OOki Ing After.

hOOAhn8 Altefs
Editor Stdr:-I wish to say few words rel
alive to a crime that is Increasing in our
midst. and one that ought arouse the atten
ton OF every man, for no one knows what mo-
ment the fiend may invade his own domestic
hearth. In the morning Republican OF Fri
day slight mention was made. headed a
Moral LepeT," of one Of the many eases
that are constantly occurring, but which i'm
this instance was unsuccessful The man con
cerned is one doing business on + street. be-
tween 9Th and 10th, who has a wife and fam
ily-little daughters of his own growing up
around him. and it is for the sake of these
that do not mention his name. although il
ought TO be piacarded on every wall. On
Thursday evening, just after dark, two gentle
men. both wellkuown and of the highest re-
Speciability, walking down street. observed
on the corner of 10th and L streets this man
ia earnest conversation with young girl
about II or IL. He seemed III he persuading
her 10 do something and she refusing and anN-
iOuS 10 get away from him. Knowing his
character to be rather unreliable, they deter
ing To the girl. After a short conversation
She left him and went TO ON street. up which
she turned. The gentlemen who had followed
her spoke To her and asked her if she knew
the man with whom she had been talking and
what he had said 10 her. She said she had
been sent To the post office on an errand. and
coming out dropped some change. which this
man picked up for her, and then walked
along. entering into conversation with her.
and urged her 10 60 with him to get something
10 eat and drink. She refused. telling him she
had promised To come straight home. He told
her To 60 home and tell them that she was
going To the house OF some playmate. and then
come Ia him. The gentleman saw her safely
home, on New York avenue, between 18th and
Eth streets. The public does not know how
much OF this Kind of thing is going ON. or in
many cases are more successful than the one
recorded; the deilcacy of feeling and shrink
ing from publicity causing parents and guar
dianS TO say nothing. | believe in law and
order. though have no respect for the former.
ii has too many cracks and creyiceS for rogueS
10 creep out. and the criminals have follow
erS. SO they are politically valuable. and they
know il. and If convicted will prOb:.b ly be par
dOned out. / have less respect for the law
when see men representing il standing up
pleading for man who has committed a
mOnStrous crl me before a jury where the col
Ored portion favor the criminals of their own
color. and the white men, forgetting their sis
tiers and daughters, favor their side. The only
law, Judge or jury that ought to he used on
these debducherS OF helpless women and little
children should he the nearest tree aud
strong rope. They are moral monStrO>ities
tndt ought not To be allowed To- pOilute the
earth. a few summary trials OF the above
cases would perhaps have a good effect. Down
south they would be Shot down like dogs. but
we are civilized up here, 80 we punish them
gently or else let them go. and after Il while
lurh up as congressman from some State not
knowing their antecedentS, as was The case in
one instance three years ago. ROBERTS.
:. Enforce the Laws.
EditOr Stdr:-lt i believed that the laws of
our District forbid the firing of guns and pS-
gerOus acts and disturbing noises. Yet MANY
recent mornings and evenings. late and early.
have been made hideOuS, especially 10 the sick
and sensitive. by the Blowing of horns and the
reports OF firearms: and not a few accidents
nave resulted from the latter in the hands q
mere children, and of careless and drunken
boys and men, until many persons fear 10 ven
ture IN the streets lest they be made victims
OF this Astounding lawleSSneSS and reckless
ness. Is there no remedy for these evils?
Last evening cOlored boy of about ten years
nj nA..1 ...NII
Brown. residing on Washington street, be
tween 18th and 9Th noTthweSt), while on his
way to church. had his right hand blown off ny
some riOtOuS boys who came ND behind him
and fired pistol at him. The poor boy is thus
made a cripple for life. if. indeed he survives
tie ampItatiOn and its effects. Tie perpetra-
tors escaped in the darkness, and the sufferer
after being taken home, was removed To the
hospital ON 9TH street. Who is responsible not
only for this deed and its SuiferingS and less
hut for permitting the laws to DE thus violated
AID the public peace To be daily Disturbed
Who is Ia blame FOR the risks TO limb aud life
which are incurred by walking our Streetsg l.
II the police? Are they instructed and re
quired To arrest all whom they know To be VIC
lating law and order? They can hardly fail To
see and hear the mSanceS and dangers of
which We write. If they are not thus instruct
ed, Thy not Who is To blame for the lawleSS-
ness and reckleSSneSs which prevail around
US? A CITIzFN
THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS held a SprciaI
meeting at l. O'Clock to-day to consider the
subject OF the contract for hose for the depar.-
ment. Several bids were submitted. with hut
two samples of hose. The subject was dis
cuSsed at some length, and the opinion wa,
unanimously expressed that they could not
act lnteliigently without more samples 10
select from. The bids ranged from ~ cents 10
lao per running foot for various kinds men-
toned in the list. but of which no samples
were submitted. Commissioner Reed moved
that the bidders be notified to furnish samples
OF the various kinds of hose at the next regular
meeting OF board; adopted, and the meeting
adjourned.
PRIGG Jewelry Store received some beau
t!ful styles of Roman, Lake George diamonds
coral onyx and silver jewelry. from 81 to SD:
tle best 80 cent eyeglasS i'm the city. No 49,
pennsylvania avenue, near AZ Street.-Adrt.
THE COURTS.