Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-09-25
The National Capital I'm Disgrace

In another part Of to-day's paper viii be
found a few extracts from newspapers In Diff
ferent parts of the country, selected from q
large number still unused, al an Indication of
public sentiment outside in regard to the ex-
traordinary condition of things lately existing
here, and which may BE- said to exist yet in
some degree. These expressions OF opinion,
it will be seen, are anything but fattering
either to our government or our people Nat
urally enough, the view is everywhere held
that the capital OF the United States IL tie one
place OF all others where law and order should
at all times reign supreme and when IL is seen
that both are diSregarded and trampiei under
foot at the sweet will Of any miserable loafer
who comes along, and who is not himself
laboring B,an, and does not want work, the
surprise and indignation of the country are
naturally very great, and freely expressed.
Naturally enough, too, these expressions are
directed not more against the GiStIrbers of
the peace than against the public authorities
who have failed TO suppress them and their
kind long ago.
1t has been commonly urged in behalf of
those in power that there are no laws covering
such eases. and that they are or have been
without any legal authority to act in the prem
iseS- This may Or may not be true. The fact
that way to put a stop to the outrages COM
planned Of has at last been found would Justify
the inference that it Is not true. But il it is
true, it can only be accepted as an explanation
to certain extent, and not as an excuse. 1t
is as much the duty Of those who assume 20
govern a community to secure the passage of
such laws as are necessary 10 protect society
as it is to enforce those already on the statute
books. III existing laws are not adequate to
this end, it is their business, as it should be
their ambition, to see that the required legis-
lati0n is had. There is no difficulty in the
case, and there need be no delay in securing
all that is needed, il those in authority will
promptly and plainly point out the defects in
existing laws, and earnestly seek to have them
remedied.
1t has long been asserted. and probably with
great deal of truth, by policemen justices of
the peace. and other minor officials, that the
laws of the District relating to burglary, pick
pockets, larceny, vagrancy, and perhaps other
grades varieties Of crime, are not suffi Gent
ly broad or strong to meet the cases constantly
presented Nothing, we venture to say, would
be easier than to remove all such grounds of
complaint, if those who are responsible for the
good government Of the District would take
such interest in the welfare of the public as the
public has a right to expect at their hands.
For example, let the. District Commissioners,
the Judges of the several Courts, the numer-
Gus District Attorneys, and the Chief of Police
consider and constitute themselves, for the
time being, Committee of Public Safety.
These officers know exactly what is lack
ing in existing laws, and what Is re
quired to reduce to a minimum the per
centage Of crime of all kinds In the District
OF Columbia. Their experience and knowledge
of the whole subject will enable them in lit-
tie time to prepare and procure the passage
by Congress OF a criminal code relating to tals
Djstr lot yub oh OF ,atyo
ton the best, as 1t is now the worst, governed
city in the country. The seat of government
ought to be place of terror for evil doors,
instead of a sort Of city of refuge for criminals
as 1t long seems to have been; and the course
we have indicated would bring that desirable
state OF things about. We only suggest this
Plan, as one entirely feasible and proper. An
other and better one may be presented; If
so, We shall be glad to see it accepted and act
ed upon. 1t is quite safe TO say, however that
If, in the light Of the disgraceful experiences
of the past, those who are charged with the
protection of life and property at the national
capital do not take all steps necessary to Sc
cure that end, they must be held to be faith
less to the high trusts repOsed in Them and
unworthy the respect and confidence OF the
community in which they live.
Nominating conventions in the different
states crowd closely ON one anOther's heels
Yesterday was the Connecticut republicans
day. Democratic conventions in Nebraska,
Massachusetts and New York met today,
and tomorrow the republicans of the latter
state will make their nominations Great
interest attaches to the fight at Syracuse be-
tween the Tammany and anti Tammany orga-
nizations. 1t will be a feather in the cap of
John Kelley, the Tammany chief, if he can
control the convention in spite Of Governor
Robinson and the secret opposition of Mr..
Tilden. No one will then be able to dispute his
dictatorship in New York city. His failure, ON
the other hand, win be Illuminating In
proportion. As each faction of the con-
vention figures out a large majority of
the Uncontested delegations in its favor,
somebody will he much disappointed at the
result Of the present engagement. The republi-
cans of the state in their convention at Sara
toga Springs will be controlled by Senator
Conkling, who has been elected one of the
delegates. Some curiosity prevails as to the
course that viii be adopted by the Senator and
his followers in treating the important poiiti.
cal issues OF the day. A collision in the con-
yentiOn between the administration aud the
antiadminiStratiOn wings Of the republican
party is not improbable, though it Is to be
supposed that every effort will be made to
keep the peace.
statement of contributions by cities for
the benefit of the sufferers by yellow fever,
published under date of September I'D, gives
the names of from fifteen to twenty southern
cities which have subscribed sums ranging
from $4,000 down. AS they also furnish a
large proportion of the nurses for the afflicted
districts, and are themselves liable to be at
tackled by the pestilence, in which case all
their resources would be taxed for self-pr0tec-
ton, they have done well. The sums set down
opposite their names do not, 1t is likely, give
an accurate idea of the true amount sab
scribed. and are probably based on incom
plete returns; since Washington Is also cred
tied with only SIS, 900, and we know that in this