The Evening critic., 1882-06-28
Mr.. MacNamee's Conpiincnts TO ar
Clarke.

TO Tie Editor of The Eccntn0 critic:
Your issue of yesterday contains a very un-
gentlemanly reply from $; Q. Clarke in reply
TO letter OF mine TO THE CRITIC of some
weeks since, in which, disclaiming any au-
thority or right 10 speak for the Commission
ers, had, after correcting a downright mis-.
representation, so far as Rhode island avenue
was concerned, advanced in n fair, manly
way what honestly thought were good and
sufficient reasons for the course tho Com
missioners pursued In making street improve
ments. Mr.. Clarke will see by referring to
that letter that L distinctly stated that the
reasons given were only such as In my judg-
ment might furnish justification for their
course. l did not presume to speak for the
Commissioners, with none of whom am ac-
quainted In the slightest degree. The
words in that letter 10 which
Mr.. O. takes particular exception, 'snapped
at constantly" were warranted by the numer
GUS unlustifiable attacks made upon ihen Occu.
pylpg difficult and delicate positions; men of
reputed high personal character, whose homes
were here, and whose interests were wrapped
up in the city of Washington. They had ac-
city, built good schoolhSSses, two Of the finest
in opposition 10 a determined effort to devote
the ground TO other purposes; pressed Con-
gress persistently for Increased water supply
mainly for the relief of Capitol Hill and other
high ground)i matured well-digested plan
for the Improvement OF the river front, and, 50
far as l could see, were doing their duty as
honest, upright publlc servants.
But never good, kind word OF commenda-
tlon In return for this faithful discharge Of
delicate trusts. Nothing but growl after
growl, criticism after criticism, many of them
Unjust and undeserved, until one might sup
pose that these gentlemen were three ire
sponsible, tyrannical consuls who had been
placed over us. What wonder, then, that
used the words which appear to have rasped
the feelings Of aIr. Clarke l do not yield to
Mr.. O., nor TO any man living, in my apprecia-
ton OF the sacred right Of peution; it will be
sad day for our country when that right is
abridged; but this right does not In
yolve the right to make a willful mis-
representation Of facts In that petition;
for when Mr.. q. says that Rhode Island
avenue has no claim for improvement
until other sections Of the city arc provided
| for say 1t is a Misrepresentation. No street
| in the city has stronger claim in my opinion;
| II has paid for good pavement which II has
| never received, and reiterate that it Is now
and has been almost impossible for vehicles
| for years. The Commissioners have stated re-
| peatedly, through their agents, that they rec
| ognized this fact, but that there was not sum
| confidently place this assertion against that of
| Mr. O., "that there have been sufficient funds
| available since 1870 with which to pave Rhode
| Island avenue" Mr.. q. very truly says that
| lie Is unacquainted with the writer of this let
| Ter; If he had been, he would never have
used the terms ''seemingly cringlpg servilty"
| rs applicable to me, for have often received
| the censure OF friends for rather too fine a
regard for, and too 'lunt n demand upon
| others, for those righs TO which think am
| entitled. have often been told that would
| get along better II i had less OF IL, but have
not yet acquired the habit OF bending the
hinges OF the knee that gifts may follow fawn-
| ing, and so hurl back the insinuation III the
teeth of this chronic growler and say that II is
| false and cowardiy-false, because every man
who knows me knows i am the reverse OF
cringing, and cowardly, because the Insult
was not said TO my face that might In
| stantly resent II. ! am willing at all
times TO entertain manly difference
Of opinion this man Clarke, and
my side OF the question was presented in a fail
| statement, II being far from my intention q
| Insult any one by insinuations, sneakne
habit have never INDUCED in. l have never
exchanged single word with any OF the Com
missioners In my life; never have asked then
any fay ors, nor never expect TO. My remarks
were called forth by what deemed TO be un
fair unmanly treatment of them on man!
occasions, with no kind word Of commenda
tion for the good they had accomplished.
Respectfully II. j. MACNAMEE,
Oh Rhode Island avenue.