Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-23
s.MahOue of VIrginia.'

ssNahOne Of virginia.
Gen. Malone, chairman OF the Virginia. state
readiuster committee, has endeaVored to dis
count the effect OF the democratic recognition
ofthe funders by issuing an address In advance
of that OF the national democratic committee.
This address urges the readiuSter5 to stand
finn and warns them that IL the funderS, or
regulars, succeed In carrying the state, and
Hancock should be elected, the power of the
administration will be turned against the read
busters; that the funders will fill all the offices
and make use OF them to secure their hold upon
the state The tone OF Gen. Mahone's address
Is one OF courage and determination. There is
not a word In it to indicate that he con-
templates anything short OF desperate
fight to maintain his power in the
state. The regular democrats have been
arguing that when II should become apparent
that their ticket was destined TO win. Malone
would retire rather than be driven from the
field by the votes OF majority OF his fellow
citizens. There Is not, the regulars admit,
ShTeWder politician Ia the state than General
Malone. Indeed, many or his democratic oppo-
nents confess that he Is better informed as To
the voting strength Of the different parties than
any other man in the state. and If this be true
he must feel assured that his ticket does have a
chance TO succeed. Next year the state cleo
tiOn occurs, and then the debt question must be
fought over again. To meet defeat as distinct
IeadjuSter party In this election means d5or-
ganization and consequent defeat for Malone
next year. If he can win this tight the flinders
VIII be demoralized. and next year there Will
be fusion Of debt-paying funderS and repub-
reans, with the latter probably In the lead.
killing Two Birds with One stone.
1t win be seen by the article upon the i'm
provement of the Washington harbor that the
award OF contract for that work has been made
10 the extent OF the available amount (s35,O0O)
Of the appropriation by Congress. It is greatly
TO be regretted that under their construction of
the law the engineer department of govern
ment do not feel authorized TO make the chan
mel work auxiliary TO sanitary improvement
and the reclamation OF the offensive flats. Thus
instead Of dumping the dredgings upon the
flats In the immediate vicinity and where they
would do excellent service in the way
OF retaining these malarial marshes, they
have them carried miles down the
river aud dumped where they are not wanted,
and where they Will very likely do injury to the
channel there. The flats meantime are left in
condition TO supply fresh deposit OF sedi-
ment in place OF that just removed, and so the
work or dredging goes for naught. The reason
given for transporting the dredgings far down
river and depositing them where they are not
wanted, instead OF placing them on the flats
cess costs something more than the other. 1t
would seem, however. that the cheapest plan is
that which Is the most permanently servicea-
Die, and that by making solid ground of the
Hats with firm banks, the work OF keeping the
Channel free from deposits OF sediment would
be made much easier. 1t Is to be hoped that In
any future appropriations for channel work
every needed authority will be given the gov.
eminent engineers 10 cooperate In the work of
sanitary Improvement upon the river front.
The report OF Lieut.. HOXie elsewhere treats
fully and intelllgently upon the matters OF Dis
frtct drainage. sewerage and water supply. He
discusses the different modes OF disposition OF
sewage In use, ard points out how far they are
applicable to the conditions existing in this
District. The work In his department now
projected and In progress contemplate5 the re-
clamation OF the mats along the waterfront of
Washington; the Tectihcatlon OF the channel OF
the river; the effective drainage OF Washington
and Georgetown, and the adaptation of the sys
tenn OF drainage TO sewerage as well The plan
contemplateS as the indispensable prerequisite
OF any system of sewerage by water carriage
and OF any reasonable condition OF health AMI
comfort consistent with modern CIVILIZATION the
Introduction of liberal water-supply at suf-
fcient elevation. 1t is eonclusively shown In
this connection, that no temporizing policy
VIII serve In the matter OF increased water
supply.
The committee OF architects designated by
Congress 10 consider the matter OF the enlarge
ment Of the congressional library, have re-
ported, 1t will be seen by the article upon the
library. that while the Capitol can be enlarged
without injury 20 the architectural harmony
and beauty OF that edIfice no such enlargement
Could possibly give the needed room for the
great and rapidly growing library. The con-
gressional library now has reached the enor-
nous proportions OF 315 600 volumes and the
acceSstons so far exceed the accommodations
that no less than 10000 volumes are without
shelf-room and are piled upon the floors. These
unshelved Accommodations now lumber up the
floors and passages OF the library In such sort
that 1t Is very inconyenlent 10 get access to the
shelved books, and Will soon be nearly imprac-
tcable, unless some relief Is afforded. Ii is
evident that Congress will speedily have to
come 10 conclusion how TO supply that relief;
and II would seem TO be settled, FOR one thing
that new building must be erected especially
for the library. The only remaining question
VIII be as TO the site. the two sites. between
which the choice VIII probably be made, are
Judiciary Square, and some point east OF the
Eanitol