National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-29
THE EAST CAPITOL PARK.
Where Are the Capitol Policemen PA
Mob of Noisy Ganins.

To the Editor of THE REPUBLICAN:
| do not know your opinion; how
should 1? But mine is that you do not attend the
Marine Band concerts in front of the Capitol on
Wednesday evenings, or you would not be so long
silent about actions that are very fast becoming
nuisances, and 10 a very great extent destroying
the entire effect of the hours of recreation and en-
joyment they are intended to give our people. You
could hardly have been subjected to the joStling,
crowding, and Uneasiness consequent upon all eff
fort to keep out of the way of velocipedes, trcy-
cles, bicycles, and Skaters who wind their way in
and through the crowd in no gentle manner or with
baby carriages recklessly trundled by unthinking
nurse girls to the time ofSome double quick galop
or yet, herd of half dressed, civilized
ignorant aud profane youth of the colored per-
suasion tmostly), who make the place hideous with
their Outlandish noise, sometimes completely
drowning the most tender and pathetic portions
of the music. 1t is insufferabIe. There is question
as to personal safety, to say nothing about enjoy
ment. On Wednesday last the writer saw an elderly
clergyman so rudely knocked aside that twas sew
eral moments before he could breathe freely: and
only few minutes after a little white child was
most recklesSly and roughly run over and knocked
down by negro boy, intent on getting away from
some twenty bowling companions, who chased
him at their utmost speed. The exposition OF per-
sonal charms on the part of the half-clad boy
gymnasts who perform their antics ON the grass
plots or the boys and girls who race up and down
the steps, hardly win the pauditS Of the aesthetic
in the audience. The fact is, they are disgusting
as well as annoying. A gentleman who felt COM
PEELED to retire with his wife and daughter said,
truly, The thing is degenerating into niger
picnic, and should be looked after" 1t is truth;
and the remark is no reflection upon our colored
friends who know how to behave themselves l
have three questions to ask, with your permission,
viz:
First-What is the duty of that august body, the
Capitol police, under the circumstances or is their
only occupation that of arresting little children
The writer saw one eff these worthless arrest and
detain, while she sobbed violently from fright a
little school girl who on her way through the
grounds with bouquet in her hands, he mean
while threatening her with imprisonment if she
did not confess TO theft.
Seconds it not enough that the majority of the
paths are already dangerous to small children
from the frequency and recklessness of the riders
of two and three wheel nondescripts and skaters
of too large growth TO be engaged in this child
ish amusements? Are they to monopolze the
plaza also at every band concert to the discomfort
of everybody?
Third-Would it not be better to have the con-
certs stopped than TO sanction and indorse the dis
gushing actions of unrestrained mob of motley
youth, and thus avoid its perncious influence on
the young whose parents are endeavoTing to train
them properly. and obviate the opportunity for
rudeDess to their elders?
This only public enjoyment of the people may.
however, serve every purpose 1t was inaugurated
for If the officers provided and paid for the pur-
pose wiz only do their duty, which they now do
not 60, :. <. = -. DAVENPORT,