Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-06


II seems that the only opposition to the Con-
greSSiOnaI library bill pending in the Senate pro-
ceedS from the theory, entertained in a few minds,
that the Capitol is at present nothing but lot of
architectural shre1s and patches: that in order to
be improved and beIutifed it must be enlarged,
and II the library is removed therefrom there will
not remain any reasonable pretext for enlarge
ment In other words, the valuable contents OF
the library to be sacrificed Tor it is nothing
short OF that for them To remain in their present
condition some years morp) in an attempt to en-
large the Capitol. one OF the advocates OF this
scheme remarked that nothing Is eyer accom-
plished in Washington except by indirection," and
Therefore IN maintained. in order to get the Capt.
toll enlarged to the ''grand and massive proper
lions" il should display, the pretext that this
additional room is needed for the library must be
kept in view. What the people want, both resi-
dents and those who come here to make use of it,
Is library 20 which they can have access in the
evening well as during the day. The PEOPLE OF
the whole country also want IL 10 be OF a charac-
ter the building well as the contents, to reflect
credit upon the literary attainments and taste of
the nation Congress will hardly sacrifice these
ends TO notion OF eniargng the Capitol by ''indi
rection," especially as In a few years the add
tional space given in that building woIl1 be again
Inadequate to the needs of the rapidly Increasing
library. What is needed Is n spacious separate
II from time TO time as more room is required for
the growing library. 1t would suit the public to
have this National library located in central
position,-Judiciary Square, for inStance,-but
Congress seems to prefer having it nearer the
Capitol, and the site selected On Capitol Hill,
though not accessible rs Judiciary Square,
could be reached prettJ readily by street cars.
Some OF the English journals have roundly lee
tcred The people of The United States because OF
what they were pleased TO define as O spirit of
lawleSsness In this country. The threats against
Gulteau on the morning that he shot the Presi-
dent down were made the basis OF numerous art1-
Giles in the English papers. and many of them took
occasion To contrast the public observance OF law
IN this country with that in England, much to the
disadvantage OF the United States The critics
did not make any allowance for the extreme provo
cation. but took the ground that, under any and
Gil circumstances, there should be quiet Subni5-
sion to law. The several attempts upon GtIiteau'S
life were made the theme OF renewed criticism
and the entire population OF this country was held
responsible for the mad acts Of two or three
"cra1kS.' Our English critics have had an Illus
tration OF tle fact that human nature Is much the
same on Doth sides the Atlantic, especially when
under the excitement OF extreme provocation.
NacLean, who fired a shot at Queen Victoria the
other day, narrowly escaped lynchng. The Eton
boys, who certainly are entitled to represent Eng
Lynch him." and there were plenty of others to
take 1t up. Had that ball struck the Queen and
laid her low. as did the asSiSSnS bullet that was
fired at President Garfield, it is quite probable
that Mclean would have ben strung up to the
nearest iamp-post, despite the officers Of the law
There are some awiess localities in this extensive
country, but as whole obedience 10 law and love
OF order average about well as with our cousins
across the water.
The pending investigation OF the Soldiers Home
by a Subcommittee OF the Senate, Is not, it ap-
pears, directed at any of the officers or managers
OF that institution especially. but IT is Intended
mainly tn ascertain whether any defects exist In
the laws for the government OF the Home: whether
the system OF management cannot be improved.
The institution has been running along from its
foundation substantially under the original laws
and regulations made for it. and complaints from
both managers AMI inmates have accumulated.
The managers maintained that inmates of the
Home should hot be permitted To control pension
money accruing TO them: that this money is as a
rule, wasted IN dissipation and leads to insubori-
nation. They think the money should either go to
the fund OF the Home or be held in trust for the
inmates The latter, of course, protest against any
sych disposition OF their money, and contend FOR
their individual right 10 control and expand It.
Under the present law the inmates cannot be re-
qutred 10 perform any labor. The managers think
this should be changed, as likeness tends to
victou5neSs, and that IL would contribute towards
the maintenance OF discipline If inmates could be
caliei upon for moderate amount Of work.
These and other questions are being Inquired into
The View England free-lov- league evidently re-
gard Guteau as brother in practice, If not by
actual membership At their recent meeting I'm
Boston these free-lOyers after paying some atten-
ton TO the natural liberty OF the sexe5n took un
subject equally as revolving, in the person, or
Character, OF the assassin Guiteau. They praised,
Mrs Scovilies letter 10 Mrs Garfield and inyeghed
against the execution or Guiteau The history Of
the assasns life developed in the course OF his
trial by Judge Porter. renders him fit subject for
the regard OF a free-iove organization