The Evening critic., 1882-06-17
Petty Tyranny ana DespicabIe KnaV
ery.

10 he Editor Of The Eeeaing Critic:
Being patron Of your paper, observe that
you sympathize with the oppressed people OF
this city. And the people of this city are op-
pressed most sorely. The Capital Of a Repub-
lie the finest that has yet existed, this city is
under the Iron heel Of despotism so oppres-
sive, administered in manner SO villainous
that, were we Englishmen, or Frenchmen, or
Italians, we would rebel openly and appeal to
our course. "Taxation without representation
is tyranny" Yet we are taxed, and taxed,
and then taxed again, until "Blessed is he who
has nothing" has become popular proverb in
Washington. Yet we have no vote or voice In
the making Of the laws under which We live,
or the selection Of the officials. who administer
those laws. We are the helpless subjects of an
absolute despotism. Congress elected by
the citizens Of distant States make laws for our
government without consulting us, and even
against our protests. A President, In whose
selection we are permitted to take no part ap-
points men 10 rule over us, not on account
Of their fitness, not because of their
wisdom or their virtue, not because the peO-
pie Of this city express their preference for
Them, but because they havo been or may be
Of service 10 the party in general, or to some
bold, bad member of 1t, who occupies scat in
the Senate, obtained by corruption or trickery.
These officials very naturally hold the people
OF the city, their subjects, In contempt, and
oppress and rob them at Will. II we COM
plain they laugh in our face, and impudently
ask, '.What DO you propose to do about lt?"
Ruskin says, "The average Englishman is a
Thief" and think 1t will not be denied that
the average American politician is a knavc.
II was 10 be expected, therefore, that the
petty despots appointed to rule over this city
should exhaust the resources OF villainous In.
genuity in the invention of schemes TO line
their pockets with extra shekels at the ex-
pense. Of people placed wholly in their
power. The fertility OF rascally resources dis
played by these ''satraps," to quote THE
CRITIC, Is a constant surprise TO their Victims
could I'LL THE CRITIC with illustrations, but
content myself with one. The water fur
nished us by our masters is insufficient in
quantity and vile In quality. Yet the price
charged for II Is simply outrageous. Not con-
tent with this legal robbery the boss OF
the Water office has recently concocted, and
is now enforcing, a scheme by which TO add
25 per cent. 10 the water rate OF those VINO
rent property, and who, not holding official
position, are not supposed TO have any politl-
cal influence. This extra tax is politely
called fine for not paying the water tax In
advance for the year on the 1st OF February.
Inesmuch as by common custom, which had
become law, awe have heretofore been
given until tho 1st OF July 10 pay our water
tax, and had no reason 70 expect different
treatment this year, tho victims of this new
confidence game are quite numerous, and the
revenues Of the city officials greatly increased
But as our protest against the oppression and
Injustice under which we groan win share the
fate OF tho Pope's bull against the comet,
Will not trouble you further AZ present. I
ONE OF THE VICTIMS.