Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-19


1t Is evident that the friends Of the late Jesse
James are not without influence In Missouri. The
Ford brothers, after being pardOned by the COVER
nor for the murder of James, were Immediately
arrested for alleged completely In the murder OF
Hlte, one OF the former gang OF bandits The
Fors will be put upon trial for this crime and 1t is
said IL they are not convicted, or IL the governor
should again pardon them, warrants for their re-
arrest upon the charge of having participated In
certain robberies viii at once be served upon them
They are not TO be left In the enjoyment OF the
bioed-money they have earned. IT Is quite likely
that Governor Crttenden Will not feel called upon
to interpoSe his power any further for the protec
ton OF the FordS. He has pardoned them for a
crime which relieved the state OF noted and des-
perate outlaw There is nothing that can be urged
In extenuatlon OF the other crimes committed by
these brothers. They engaged In robberies, ap-
parently, for the sake Of plumber, and the murder
OF Hte was, from all accounts, a coldblOoded and
cruel deed. II the law reach far enough to rid
the state of the Fords now, good people Oat
there would, no doubt, feel relieved.
The decision of the supreme Court In the Louis
lana bond case applies with equal force to the
Virginia debt question The court CONSTITUTES the
constitutional provision prohibiting states from
enacting laws that impair contracts so broadly
that no doubt IS left as to what would be its
decision should the Virginia question be appealed
toit With the fact clearly In view that repu1ia-
tfOn measures cannot successfully run the gaunt-
let Of the courts 1t would seem to be wise
Craftsmanship on the part OF those who have
committed their states to that doctrine 20 call q
halt and either compound with the creditors or
make arrangements for the payment OF the debt.
Arkansas and Tennessee, as well as Virginia,
might nnd it profitable, in the end, to take this
course.
In his special message to the Senate yesterday
nj frfv INN
the President expresses the opinion clearly that
Congress has the constitutional right to make ap-
propriationS for the repair Of the levees, and he
even goes further and recommends that such ap-
preparations be made. He settles, so far as the
weight of his opinion and advice goes the Ques-
ton Of the right OF the general government to enter
states and even cross state lines in prosecuting a
public improvement. It is notable fact, and one
that illustrates the change that political Senti-
ment has undergone, that the very men who once
were champions of states rights are among those
who most cordially agree with the President in his
views as to the power OF Congress to make these
appropriations
There Is a fair prospect OF an amicable settle
ment OF the Tennessee state debt before the ad-
1Ournment OF the legislature, In extra session.
1t Is said to be the purpose OF the bOndholderS to
propose settlement at sixty cents on the dollar,
with 4. 5 and per cent interest," and many men,
bers OF the legislature openly declare themselves
IN favor of accepting it. In addition to the f1nan-
cia interest at stake there Is considerable political
influence at work for final adjustment of the
debt. The democrats are anxious to get the debt
question out OF the way, that 1t may not distract
and divide their party In the coming canvass, and
this may result In bringing about a settlement
The extravaganza that accompanies q life OF
crime Is illustrated by the statement that although
the robberies In which the late Jesse James par
ticipated are said TO have exceeded quarter OF q
million OF dollars, only about $500 are left to his
widow.