Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-09-07

During the winter months it is the common
practice OF our authorities to compel all house
holders in the city to promptly clear away tn e
new1allen snow from the fOOtWalks in from
OF their respective premises,-the theory o I
this rule being to facilitate pedestrianism,
and in general way, to promote the publ c
convenience. This is well enough. and nobod v
objects, or ought to object, to it but, unfortu
lately, the good work is not carried far
enough. The purpose in view is largely de-
ieated by the fact that the authorities do not
at the same time see to the cleaning, through
their own agencies, of all the street and alley
crossings, etc. For want of this necessary
action on their part, the labor and expense
nus imposed on private individuals are prac-
!ically thrown away, so far, at least as the
comfort of those having to walk more than a
single square is concerned.
We are not certain that the same halfway
policy prevails in the matter of cleaning the
city at the present time we hope it does not
but, from the number of complaints made as
10 the imperfect manner in which garbage
and Stop gatherers and others charged with
looking after the health and cleanliness of the
city are performing their duties, there are
grounds for fear that those in power may still
be so busily engaged in looking after the mote
In the eye of private citizens that they have
no time to remove the beam from their own
AaAo oOAt VI luiuS Will duSWSE lut purpose
Unless the authorities see to it that sewers are
frequently flushed, cess pools in various parts
OF the city thoroughly drained, and carcasses
and garbage promptly removed, the efforts of
private individuals to keep their premises
clean and In good sanitary condition will
amount to little or nothing In connection with
preserving the public health. So far as we
have learned, our citizens generally are will
ing to do everything in their power to this
end; but their efforts will soon flag and cease
altogether unless they are satisfied that the
efforts OF the public authorities in the same
direction fully keep pace with their own.
so~-
The French as well as the American repub.
lie is to choose new President In $780, Mar.
shall Mac MahOn has no objection to another
term, and will be pushed for re- election. The
radical republicans will bring forward Gam
beta. Due d'Aumale is the candidate of the
Orleanists; while the Bonapartists are not
without hopes that the contest will be severe
enough to give the Prince Imperial chance
as compromise candidate. These gentlemen
are all just as much in earnest as the Ameri
can Presidential candidates now in training
Tor the coming election.
San Francisco has determined to erect a
hospital to which all Chinese lepers are to be
removed until an opportunity is found to ship
them back to China. This would seem to In
dictate that the city Is thoroughly alarmed for
fear that leprOsy will gain a foothOld there,
Several victims Of the disease have been
shipped to China, but others still remain, and
two cases have recently been discovered. The
fears of the San Francisco authorities are
based on the fact that leprosy Is not confined
to tropical countries, as settlements of those
afflicted with the disease are found in Norway.
Canada and the Sandwich Islands. White
how Hoav h
1t is thought that unless means are taken to
segregate the San Francisco lepers there Is
d: niger that the terrible diseases will take root
{ Il the Pacific SLOPE