Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-18
Vandalism of the Telegraph ns.,e,

sahoaisth Oh the telegraph Basses.
TUE DUTY OF THB COMMISSIONERS
Edtor &dr:-At the curb stone fronting nv
premises stands enc OF 8 line OF linden trees
(on both sldes OF the street.. extending elrbI
squares. Five years ago moved 10 my pres
EFT place OF residence noting almost AT onaa
Tie d~af1ed, sickiy and neglected appearance
OF tfe tree. since planted, 10 IS12 lf had a.
paTentlJ received 40 attention, aud had made
little or no growth, being the smallest most
unprcmising ore In the square InspecJon
showed that b0Ter had pierced the heart
gong through TO the opposite bark. l at once
expelled and destroyed its progeny doing what
] could, subsequently. 10 aid nature In repair
ing damages; every spring l have whitewashe1
Tie box, supplying nails as needed 20 keep it
IL perfect repair; at the beginning OF each sea.
SCH Lave spaded the surrounding earth ToSha
roots, removing sufficient TO make room Tor a
lloefal supply OF manure; all through the hot
months or each year deficiencies In TIE supply
OF moisture have been made good by hose or
tuchtt. As result have a tree that has out
stripped many OF those adjacent; IL is shapely.
Lsaltny and vigorous, promising TO become an
ornament 10 my premises, a permanent source
OF pleasure 10 al residing near AMI 30 con-
lTiOlte rs share % the public health aud com
lCEt. me may personal attentiU ms ] have De
slowed OF II has btgotten sense OF owner
ship, and II has come 10 be regarded as dqite a
pet by Uy family. Neither government mr.
lax Pa! ers have been MADE poorer except the
fTst cost OF box, tree and planting It. What /
have done Is Only sample OF the Interest taken
ana labor gratuitously bestowed by many az
other IL every section OF Washington. Is the
leeIlng of personal grievances then, 50 general
among our citizens against the telegraph mo-
EupoliSfS who destroy In an hour what II has
TAKE SO many years 10 perfect so very prepos-
tefous or unreasonable? But aside from any
other consideration, is Il sound governmenta
policy &c discourage that, which II fostered ana
practically encouraged, would so ab1ndantly
bear fruit In the orlamentltion or our CRY:
vastly improve irs hygienic conditions multiply
cur comforts, and whose general tendency IS
10 rehne our tastes and elevate our morals?
Near the southwest corner or @ and 9Th streets
northN est is reminder or the probable fate
awaiting Ilr two lines OF beautiful nndens
above alluded 10, when they shall have reached
the wires suspended not more than Two years
growth above them, The tree ia question, one
OF the MODEST specimens or the sycamore In
The city. had every limb on one side amputated
from bottom 10 top, leaving IL monument or
the maliciously wanton spirit in which our
telegraph bosses have dared Indulge themselves
at the expense OF every one feeling an intereet
in the Capital City. IG Is disingenuous and
pitiaDly eVaSlve for our Commissioners TO saw
thst they have given no permission for the
Wholesale mutllatlon OF our trees only last
sumner saw reputable citizen arrested for
cutting twig IRON shade tree IN moment
or thoughtleSS abstraction. Was there law for
this, and If SO Is iU not equally applicable 10 the
monopoly bosses who hack and manCle TN
entire trees are sacrificed 10 suoserve interests
that, from their very Lature, are In deadly az
tagoDism TO those or individuals ana constitute
q menace OF great magnitude TO popular IN
slltutions? From no point or view does e seem
competent for our authorities TO plead lack or
law 10 restrain and punish these men who ap-
Iear TO have combined 10 stamp out the last
Yestige OF Individual rights that may stand "a
an obstacle In their path or usurpation; since
the fDcip!ency OF THIS abuse time enough has
elapsed TO have secured the enactment or A
dozen laws to crush it, ana the necessity for
such law and its rigid enforcement have been
so constantly urged On the Commissioners as 10
leave them practically defenseless. CITIZEN.