Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-11


Of ascertaining just how much foundation there
Is for the extravagant stories in regard to the
prevalence OF malaria in Washington Is clearly
one which ought to be dis charged and SO far as
It's means and powers reach, the task could not
fall into better hands than those OF that organi-
zaton. But would it not be good idea for the
National Board OF Health to set foot an inyest-
CATION in the same direction? There would be,
II eems to us, great proprety in such step on
the part Of that body. To begin WITH the field OF
labor Is a proper and natural one, since WASH
ington Is the national capital, in the health and
growth OF which the people OF the whole country
have direct interest. Then, again, the National
Board his at its command authority, means and
machinery, which are not possessed and could
not be made available by any local and merely
volunteer association Finally, while the con-
clusions of the National Board might not and
probably would not be any more reliable or pre-
sented In any more forCibie manner, its report
would be likely To have more Influence with
the world 1T large than that OF local society,
which might be open 70 the charge OF being
Interested in making the best showing possible
or course, In making the suggestion for second
inquiry, which might be- made either In connection
with the other or entirely separate from it, there
Is no purpose 10 reflect in any way on the Medical
Society. We believe it To be as wen qualified for
The difficult task any organization OF the kind
can be, and so far as il has appliances and powers
acceptable manner possible. 1t Is apparent how
ever, that the National Board has facilities for
making much broader. more searching and A
more exhaustive examination than can be made in
any other way. We believe that the reports OF
malaria here very greatly and perhaps wilfully
exaggerated, and DESTROYS that the exact truth
should be known. To th1t end the Investigation of
the subject ought TO be made as comprehensive
and complete as possible, and the conclusions
reached on tine subject ought To carry the world
all the certainty and weight which the highest
recognized authority can give.
There Is an inquiry all along the newspaper
line as 10 who is to blame for the defeat OF the
government in the star route prosecution. The
New York Herald thinks Mr.. Macyeagh had
better rise 10 explanations: that Gas Attorney
General OF the United States the public has
right 10 look 70 him for a proper prosecution OF
The star route cases, and popular sentiment will
hold him chiefly responsible for the failure OF yes
terday, unless he successfully frees himself from
blame" The Herald does not hold however, that
the decision OF Judge Cox is irretrievably dam
aging To the government. 1t says the government
has had good case from the start, and there Is
stili an abundance OF grave charges that are not
barred by the statute or limitations, and which
may accordingly be pressed by Indictment The
New York sun says ''the responsibility for the
blunder on the side OF the government, according
10 present appearances, rests principally upon At
torney General Macyeagh.D The Times thinks
District Attorney Corkhill's plea is insufficient and
mat the facts show that he lacked that positive
INTEREST and zeal that should have led him to as
certain whether the government had any use for
the jury"