Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-26
ssTeo Ridiculous for Discussion. y,

That vigorous and able republican paper the
New York Times raps Mr. Robson sharply over
the knuci<les for his demegogiSm in opposing the
provision OF the police bill repeating the section
requiring that no person shllI be appointed on
the police force OF the District who has not served
In the army o. navy The Times says:
"Mr Robson took occasion to reterate his
unrailIng devotion to the HONOR to the dignity, to
the comfort, and To the welfare OF the American
soldier Other members on either side aired their
patriotism. and then the House passed the bill,
with the obnoxious clause stricken out.
Surely this was trining business for the House OF
Representatives. The repeal OF the reStri ting
clause referred to Was an entirely pro1er and even
necessary step, because II it be literally observed,
it vOuil prevent the DStrit authorities from get
ting the bcSt men Tor the service II Is a generally
recognized principle thet poll cemen shOul not be
years OF eye. In the New York force the I'm Of age
Is 30 and considering the nature OF the duties the
exposure IN health, tie requirements In point OF
energy, aieTtnesS, and discipline, the limit is not
too low. Tn" war was closed II years since. A
veteran coming within the limit of even % years
must hAFe been only rs at thlt time; to
come within the New York limit he must have
been no more than Il. As matter OF fact, most
OF the d'Sch1rged SOllierS and SIilOr> must have
been 80 ami to enforce the restriction 50 ar
IDENTIFY advocated by Mr. RobesOn the new District
policemen must be taken from men approaching
80 The propOS ton Is too ridiculous for discus
sion. Yet it occupies the House for the better
part OF n session without, so far as appears, any
and is finally adopted by what appears to have
been a strict party vote. We venture to say that
theit - not Il ellSlDtc man in the country WITH an
honorable discharge from the Army or Navy in his
pocket Who will not regard the action OF the House
with contempt anc; disgust
Statesmen OF the Robson type seem incapable
nj understanding that their attitude In these mat
ter5 insults the class whom they think to hatter.
The veterans OF the Union army 10 not npei to
trust their honor or dignity comfort or welflre
10 the keeping OF politicians, with higher sense
OF the obligation OF a legislator than was shown
yesterday by the member from New Jersey. They
are not reduced TO watching for such crumbs as
possible share In policenan'S pay in the District
of Colunbia- They are great body OF self-sup-
porting, selrespeCting citizens, who resent the in
situation that their political action is to
be influenced By such petty favors
a5 these They have a much deeper
interest in the rational and honorable administers
ton OF public affairs than they have Ia the dstri-
button OF these dribletS OF patronage. They judge
Their representatives not by their frothy declara-
lions OF affection for the American soldier but
Dy their honesty, good sense fidelity to the prnci-
pies OF sound government, and capacity for the
duties or their position Nor Is the cause OF the
republican party helped by such cheap and ill
timed fll-pliced demonstrations. II the party has
nothing to stand upon better than the attempt to
limit the police appointments In Washington to
veteran soldiers and sailors this Class Will be the
nrSt To repudiate It,"