The Evening critic., 1882-06-02

session on the afternoon of that same day
so reported to the Senate. Thus the
''news" its Washington correspondent tele-
graphed to the Kansas City Journal was
five days old
The same correspondent has another tele-
gram in the same paper purporting to be
news, but which is tissue of malice and
lies, lies without foundation, and the out
growth Of combined malice and stupidity.
The name of the correspondent is II. V.
Boynton.
He is the man whom General w. Il.
Sherman said would sell his mother for
81 Goo but subsequently said that he had
put the price too high-that he would
sell her for $500.
THE MEMORIAL of Mr.. S. c. Clarke, pre-
sented to the Senate Committee on Appro-
priations, and printed exclusivelyi in THE
CRITIC, is worthy of consideration. Nearly
all the facts contained in the memorial
have heretofore been stated in THE CRITIC,
either il communications from Mr.. Clarke
or editorially, but are grouped in the me-
mortal in manner that shows beyond
cavil or doubt that there has been undue
to the detriment of the remainder. 1t is
demonstrable fact that since the adoption
of the present form of government and the
appointment of the present Commissioners
(excepting, ofcourse, Major. Lydecker,) that
at least one.third of all the money for
street improvements has been expended in
a favored section, and expended in such
way that certain real estate speculators
have been enabled to accumulate fortunes.
The fact is shown by Mr.. Clarke that
on a street between two vacant blocks,
owned by one man, pavements have been
made, trees planted, the street graded and
paved, improving the value of these blocks
immensely, while main thoroughfares, in
other sections, remain almost impossible.
Again, before the report of the Commis-
sioneIs designating the streets for Gimme
diate Improvement" was made, one of
these real estate men said to friend: "If
you want to make money in real estate
this year invest on New Hampshire ave.
nue.; we intend to make that BOOM" and
that Immediately after the Commissioners
report in favor of extensive improvements
on New Hampshire avenue.
We draw no differences. The facts
stated speak for themselves. 2 he least that
can be said is that there has been a reck-
less disregard of the general interests for the
benefit Of favored few.
WE VENTURE to say that parliamentary
history does not afford such another in
stance of stupid leadership and mistaken
policy as the Democratic minority of the
House, under Samrandall's management,
has displayed in the last ten days. The
theory of filibustering is of questionable
soundness at the best, because in general II
is based on the assumption that the
minority ought to rule the majority while
its practice is always of doubtful utility
and usually ends in failure more disgrace
full than surrender at the start would
have been. OF all the filibustering that
has been attempted during this Legislative
epoch, but one single case has been success
full, and that one succeeded because it was
sustained by the better public sentiment ol
the country.
OF course we refer to the defeat of the in
famous Force Bill of Grants last Admins
tration. 1t should be borne in mind, how
ever, tHdp Wullt INC lJcIlUCltblC v
that time did the work and got the credi
of this achievement, the real directin
genius of the operations was James
Blaine, to whom the cause of humane con
seryatism owes debt Of gratitude for tn
courage and sense of honor which prompte
him to resist such a formidable attempt o.
the part of his own misdirected party
outrage the liberties of citizens and tn
rights of States. Even in this case, wher
flibustering seemed t, be the only mean
of resistance to a malevolent policy, it
questionable whether it would not hav
been better in the long run to let the ms
jority have its way, trusting t the inevit
able reaction that must have ensued.
Respecting the present situation, it
clear that upon questions of privilege, sue
as judgment upon ths qualifications of
member, there is less shadow of justifca
tiOn for filibustering or for any obstructiy
tactics THAI upon any other class of ques
tions. If there is any issue upon which th
deliberations of the House should be deco,
ons and its decision judicial, it is that of a
election contest. In theory, as it shoul
be In practice, there is no question in
volved, except one of fact-which of tvs
men was really chosen by the people. i
such case it is manifestly dangerous
set up theory that the minority is wis
than the majority to distinguish betwet
right and wrong, or that its instrumental
ties are better or purer. And yet the Sar
randall theory-if there be any theory
all in samrandallism-is nothing but thi
Thus we observe in the present attitu'
Of the Democrats their ancient fatality
the habit Of never fighting except upG
untenable ground, never displaying cou
age except where prudence is needed, NJ
never manifesting parry solidity exec
judgment Of the Individual OF corr
they fail.