Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-01
Popular Rights W. Military InMOva-
ton.

Popular Rights VI. Military InMOva.
ten.
70 the Editor OF The EVENING STAR.
The form of government under which the one
hundred and eighty thousand people Of the
District Of Columbia live is very far removed
from popular cOntrol-as much 80, perhaps, al
that of any other municipality in the world. ex.
cept possibly, that of the city of Paris which Ii
SO closely assimilated with the semi-military
system now controlling the destinies Of France
under the name of republic. Congress, how.
ever, In eliminating entirely from our form the
principle OF popular suffrage. has not failed to
leave some traces Of the privileges which
usually attach under American institutions to
the people, when thrown together in large
masses, such as now cOngregate around the
dome OF the Capitol within the limits Of this
District. Among these may still be found that
provision of law which, for the protection of the
interests Of the people in the matter of proper
supply OF water from the aqueduct, con-
structed at great expense for the purpose.
directs the appointment of water registrar to
whom the entire detail of the local distribution
OF Potomac water is left. Had Congress, under
the engineer corps of the army or any portion
OF 1t with this duty, they would have enacted II
In the same legislative clause which confdes the
aqueduct itself to the charge Of that corps. But
evidently looking upon the distribution OF
water to households as purely domestic duty
I,
whose actions in the performance
of 1t would bring him into constant daily contact
with the people, they wisely omitted it, And
IN all these aspects the officer known under the
law as water registrar, in his actions tor better
or for worse, more seriously affects the daily life
and comfort of the people than almost any other
OF our public functioEaries. The duty of cutting
OH supply Of water from an humble domicile
Is painful to contemplate under any circum-
stances, but when done upon the behest of a
military officer, with the arbitrariness Incidental
TO the system OF which he is part-at the edge
or the sword as 1t were-it becomes repugnant
to every principle of American popular liberty;
aye, even revolving to our sense of American
manhood. am led into these remarks by init
nations recently thrown out as to a purpose on
the part Of the District Commissioners to merge
the duties of water registrar into those of one of
the military officers now detailed for duty at the
Columbia building on street. In the interest of
republican institutions, it is to be hoped that no
such fusion will take place, our system of local
government being already too strongly military
Tor the good of the people, or to be entirely &C
ceptable to them. Every such consideration is
protest against it, while, upon the score of
economy, there is nothing in the suggested
change to commend it either to public or con-
gressiOnal favor lfconsummated, it will doubt
less soon be followed by an increase Of salary to
the military officer to whom the duty NAV be as
signed equal to the amount now paid the civil
ian. But however that may be, 1t cannot be re-
garded otherwise than as unnecessary, impoltic
and anti-republican, I write not as an office
holder or an expectant, but for the people as
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.