Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-22
Rats COrnered.


When the first exposures were made OF the
frauds Of the star route gang they laughed at the
idea that they could ever be brought TO justice.
With ramifcatIons reaching into every branch OF
social, Official and political life they undoubtedly
constituted the most formidable band OF organized
robbers that ever existed. They openly boosted
that no republican administration would dare to
prosecute them, and that any proceedings against
them would be a mere sham, not Intended to con-
Wet Tney had no doubt, apparently, that by
their money and influence they could stine any
inquiry into their viIlainies and to this end they
entered into wholesale purchases of washington
newspapers. expecting In this way to mould pub
lie opinion in the community from which the
jurors were to be drawn TO try their cases.-should
they ever be brought to trial. 1IAthe same lin Q
they engaged formidable array OF leading
lawyers OF the country for their defence. In
short, they fully expected that by a free use OF
the money they had stolen from the government,
they could bride the press corrupt public opinion,
purchase JUICES and jurors, and battle all attempts
TO bring them TO justice But they made mis-
take In their low estimate OF public morality.
The scurrility of their Washington organs created
nothing but disgust here; and the entire press OF
the country outside of Washington joined in
denunciation OF the rascaly crowd and their
methods; and, to the surprise of the gang, the
most strenuous demand for their punishment came
from the leading republican papers of the country.
With the exception OF the characteress organs of
the ring In Washington, not paper in the land
has raised voice In their behalf. At the same
time the tact begins to penetrate their thick hides
that their money will not buy Washington judges
and 1uries, If 1t win Washington newspapers.
Their fond belief that government prosecutors, by
direction OF higher authority, would make a sham
prosecution, that the judges would wink at their
escape, and that the jurieS would fail to
indict, has proved to be an entire mscalcu-
lation. The rage OF the thieves as they
find the penitentiary staring them In the face
knows no bounds Like rats driven into corner
they spring desperately at their assailants. Every
style or foul epithet is hurled at the prosecution,
the judges, the juries and every one concerned in
any way in the attempt to bring them to justice.
The press comes in for a full share OF this foul
mouthed abuse, and they have paid THE STAR the
compliment OF an expenditure OF vituperatiye
wrath that testines to its service to the public In
helping 20 expose their rascalities. They are well
come TO go on In this line. Every attack OF this
kind from the thieves and their organs is another
testimony to the character and influence of pa
per they can neither purchase nor bully.
Is Ii possible that this Congress intends to ad
journ without providing adequate supply of
water for the city Of Washington. That there Is
distressing scarcity no one denies. Not only Is
large portion of its inhabitants suffering daily the
greatest Inconvenience from an insufficient supply
for their daily use, but the closets and sewers
throughout the city cannot be properly flushed,
and then the general health Is seriously leopard
ned In the first week OF the session, bills were
Introduced and referred to the District committees
In both houses So far as we can learn there is no
hostility 70 such legislation as will secure an
ample and permanent supply, nor is there any
substantial disagreement as to the method for
obtaining it. NetherthelesS. six months
probably three-fourths OF the life of
the seSsion-have elapsed without any
consideration OF the subject in either branch
OF Congress The House committee have taken no
action on the subject. The reason given is that
they are awaiting the action OF the Senate In
that body subcommittee, OF which Senator
Harris Is chairman, has very thoroughly examined
the subject. and nearly two months ago submitted
fun and carefully prepared report, endorsed by
the District committee, together with a bill pur-
saant TO the views set forth I'm the report The
fact that in two months Senator Harris has not
been able to obtain consideration of this bill by
the Senate is not encouraging 1t was perhaps to
be expected that Senators should look first after
the interests OF their respective states before turn
Ing attention TO the wants OF the unfortunateS
without votes and without representation who
hive In this city. But now that these special state
interests have been, as IL seems to us tolerably
vel provided for cannot Senators find time to
consider this measure, which, more than all Others
concerns the welfare and health Of the inhabi-
tants OF the national capital? with the House
waiting on Its committee and that committee wait
Ing on the Senate, and the shades OF evening al
ready falling on the session, the question OF time
Is OF vital Importance. The time OF Senator's has
50 far in the session been very little occupied with
District matters VIII they not even If IL requires
some sacrifice. permit Nr Harris to call up this
Dil and dispose Of it before 1T is too late to hope
FOR It's consideration at the other end OF the Car
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