Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-11
An important public service

An important public service rendered by
Judge Smell on Saturday in enforcing the extreme
penalty OF the law against receiving stolen goods
IN the case of Fry. found guilty of that offence.
Six years and half in jail Will not only protect
society from this mans dangerous presence for
that length or time, but the severity OF the pun
1ShTnent in his case cannot fail to have the effect
or restraining Others engaged or proposing to
engage In the same occupation, under whatever
guise IL may be followed. And the utmost pun
ishment provided by law should be Inflicted by
Judges In all courts whenever they get chance at
criminals of this class, THE STAR has more
than once pointed out There IS absolutely moth
ing to be said in exteHultOn OF their offence.
Receivers OF stolen gods do more to promote
burglary and larceny than any Other agency that
can be nam II, and Will their pllces are allowed
20 exist IL VIII be found impossible to get rid of
those crimes. 50 long as thieves can fad hiding
place or purchaser for their plumber, Just so
long Will thlevng 20 on AMI prosper, in spite of
ali the police can 10. Destroy thee places and
impFison their keepers. and much will already be
done towards bringing an end to stealing OF
every variety. Most OF the articles stolen can
neither be eaten nor worn by the thieves, and If
{ ihe latter were not able TO readily convert their
piunder into money, mpra than half the induce
ment for committing their crimes would be taken
away. The STAR repeats, therefore, that Judge
Smell has done an import public service in this
matter, for which he is entitled and VIII doubt
less receive tDe thanks or the community.
The Importance OF getting measures they wish
acted u on Is moving members OF both houses to
active efforts. In the Senate after the bankruptcy
bill shal! have been disposed OF {and it Will proba-
Dy ee OUT the way TO morrow Mr.. Pendleton pro
poses To call up his civil service bill. Nj. Sewell
Is anxious u get the bill for the relief OF Gen. Fitz
John Porter up, and IL he sees a prospect OF sue
cess may antagonize the Pendeton bill with the
Porter biI- liz is expected that the In.tian appro-
pria1on bill will be ready to report the Senate
by Wednesday or Thursday. and other measures
Will have To retire before It. The important ques-
ton OF tax reduction Will rot perhaps trouble the
senate for some DAYS 1t may be permitted to go
ever until the House takes some action. In the
HOUSE there are two special orders set for to-
morIow-the civil service reform I'LL and the
library BILL On Wednesday the postal appropria-
lion Dill Will probably claim priority though that
Oay mas been assigned for the consideration of
several oils hitherto reported from the ways and
means committee. The latter bills II displaced by
an appropriation bill may get hearing Thursday;
and Friday Will, under the rule be devoted to prl-
Nate blllS All these arrangements, however
oepend upon the appropriations committee who
are working diligently, and may upset the pro-
gram very much by bringing in Of their bills.
The military academy and fertilization bills are
30 nearly completed that they will probably be re.
ported this week.