The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-07-09
THE COURTS.

CRIMINAL CoURT.--ln the case of Joseph
Rodgers and Christopher Hunter, defend
ants bill of exceptions was signed, sealed
and filed. Edward Reed, vagrancy; noUe
prosecuted and released from custody. Jo-
seph Gordon, Sunday barr sentenced to pay
a fine of $50 and costs. Samuel Bray, con-
victed of assault with intent to kill, was SEN
fenced to years in the Auburn peniten-
tiary.
The petit juries were then discharged
until next Monday week.
CIRCUIT CoURT.--To-day-NI jr.,
VS.. Redfcrn; motion forjudgment on award,
decision reserved. Gilbert vs.. Shipman &
Fletcher motion on exceptions to award,
decision reserved Crandall VS.. Denelt &
Cochran; order of publication. Mulkin VS..
Moses CT al; settled. Schultz VS.. Rest mo-
ton for Judgment overrulcd.
The GcntccI " Beats'' I'm Washington.
The "colonels, majors and Judges" those
gcnteel BEATS whose talk is always on
plane higher than that of the average Con-
gresham, and who accept gratuitics in
liquor, not with the cringing gratitude of
the bcggars of other places, but with the
grace of courtly gentleman accepting u
friends hospitality, arc as rule, disap-
pointed oflice-seekcrs. They have either
come for places that they cannot get or they
have been turned out of places that have
boon wanted for more active and more use
full politicians. They are the victims of the
Government, as much so as though they had
anactual connection with the administration
of affairs, and were really receiving u
monthly stipend from the monstrous tyrant
that grinds out not only the lives of those
who work for it, but ruins hundreds who
are eaten up with an ambition to take the
places of the pale-faced, frightened men who
earn their daily bread in constant fear Of
being turned out on cold and forbidding
world. These men go to Washington and
they cannot leave. Year after year the
ranks of the :" coloncls, majors and judges"
are recruited from the thriftlcss men of the
world. Imagine the Government clerk
turned out Of place and made o wanderer
He would not have ambition enough to turn
tramp; he has not the physical strength to
dig for his living; he has not the energy or
perseverance, to find another place which
his talent would permit him to fill If he
had no home to go to, no relations or con-
nections to hang on for support, he might,
if cOngenial, become one of the bar-ro0m
lOungers of the Capital He could be moth
ing else.
One motive for this office-sceking propen
sity is an honest desire on his part to live in
the world of politics, to know the notable
communication with them. 1t is worth
more to him than a princely income to be
able to talk to strangers of his senatorial
friends who honor him, and do themselves
service by giving him their confidence
and accepting his advice. He does not be-
come one of the real colonies, majors and
judges of Washington, however, until he
has either failed to get an Office or has lost
one. Then he drifts to the hotel lobbies and
bar-rooms, where he can find genial COM
panions. He does not 60 back home. That
has become too dull for him. The govern
ment, the allurements Of politics, are too
strong for him. He cannot escape them.
He goes on living where he can see the
glamour of the country's greatness, and he
becomes inevitably a burned-out soul, a
drunkard, and pitiful object to all who
know him and the story of his downfall
These men are but type of those VIII ION
the Government destroys They are as
much the victims of the Government as
the men who obtain employment. They
are killed in all their manhood by the at
fractions of the Capital. All their useful
ness in life, all that might make them good
citizens and cultivated men is stamped out
by the monster that is responsible for the
death of so much that might be of service to
the world. So long as the alluring hope is
held out that the political success of the
"outs'' will turn out of Office all who are in,
and replace them with their political op.
ponents, so long will Washington have its
"colonels, majors and judges" who can be
awaited of as terrible examples both by the
temperance lecturer and the civil service
rcfOrmer.