The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-08
THE STATESMAN.
AUSTIN. TEXAS.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2s.

sun: here the poor and oppressed from
ALI the nations of the earth may come
and live and legislate under flag and
Government that respects the voice of
the laborer equally with one blessed
with an abundant share of the worlds
good things. There is supposed to be
no respect of antecedents in the re-
public, and the son of rag-gatherer
can by energy and application rise to
the highest position afforded by our
institutions with the same certainty
as thes of senator or the son of a
millionaire The trainers of our con-
stitution intended that the laws
should be the same for every one. But
with all our boosted liberty, would it
not be well for our public men to pay
some attention to our courts and sys-
TEN of trials? To an observant mind
it would seem that we are
FAST DRIFTING AWAY
from the teachings of our forefathers.
1t is the opinion of many eminent men
that the chances of obtaining a fair
trial and an impartial judgment is
much less certain in this country than
in some of the monarchies of the old
world. In European country If IA
man is suspected of any crime,
whether or not against the state, he
is tried and If found guilty summari-
ly punished; but II the charges
against him cannot be sustained he is
acquitted and he again occupies the
same position in public favor that ne
did before his Arrangement. In the
United States, especially in Washing
ton, If one official under the govern
ment accuses another of crime the
public press Immediately comes to
the accuser, and long before
the trial of the defendant
his character is completely destroyed
in the public mind by the exaggerated
publications concerning him. When
the trial commences the press denun-
Citations are continued with renewed
ardor, and many papers will sustain
their first position with additional
imaginary charges if the case against
the accused seems to weaken before
the light of investigation. The peo-
pie, embittered by the press publica-
lions. clamor for correction, and it is
n noticeable fact that the judges in
the federal courts are greatly swayed
by public opinion, and often act as as
sistant prosecutors. The case of Mrs.
Surrat is a notable instance of the
kind. The poor lady was accused by
n government official who wanted to
obtain distinction by satisfying the
populace. The press of the en-
tire nation promptly tiocked to
his assistance, and this innocent
female was convicted and hung in
the face of the plainest evidence to
show her innocence, and this evidence
in the hands of u leading government
official.
Millions of money was spent by the
government in forming proper mail
facilities in ali parts of the United
States. The job was one of colossal
magnitude, and required heavy appro-
priations by congress. Intense hatred
and jealousy existed between certain
prominent federal officials, and those
having charge of the star route mail
service were accused of forming a
vast conspiracy to defraud the gov
eminent. The accusation looked eX-
tremely plausible, for the money had
nnquestionably been appropriated
and spent. The entire press of the
country came to the rescue. The cor
respondents on Newspaper row inter
viewed the accusers and ran
sacked the accumulated manu-
script of the postoffice department
and autographed startling stories over
The country, and soon there was not
enc man in "a thousand but what be-
Keved that the star reuters were
pNilty. At this very time sober
MI pded lawyers were laughing ut the
blNntness of the government in al
lowing the star route contractors to
MAXI, such advantageous bargains.
- no ont aatr nm
charged, and were paid ten dollars
work. This very same thing went on
for years, md to-day the same thing
goes on in
ALI. THE DEPARTMENTS.
Secretary Chandler has approved
the action taken by Capt. Ramsey in
the recent troubles with the cadets
AT THE ANNAPOLIS NAVAL ACADEMY.
Captain Ramsey submitted the
names of three cadets who
refused To apologize TO him Tor
their conduct TO the secretary, who
referred the matter back to Capt
Ramsey. giving him authority to eX-
ercise any further discipline neces-
sary. and to make any suggestions or
recommendation he miQht think adj
visabie to the department.. Many OF
the cadets were harshly treated by
Ramsey, but they will have to meekly
submit to brutal rule or be promptly
dismissed from the naval academy.
1t Is true that insubordination cannot
be tolerated in a school OF this kind,
but IL would be well ii men with some
humanity were placed in charge OF the
cadets instead of an unreasonlng
nh. NkaAIlarsu noffAV,
viii force several of the brightest boys
atthe academy to resign, and destroy
forever their chances of becoming ma
val officers, for they will not apologize
TO their oppressor even to please the
secretary of the navy. IL is now
clearly shown that the christiancy
robbery at the National hotel was
e0ncocted by the members of the de-
tective force. The senator after COM
ing from South America put up at
the hotel with 5000 worth of dia-
monds and other jewelry in his pos
session, and while he was at dinner
the valuables were quietly taken
from his room by a burglar, who now
confesses that he was
PROTECTED BY THE DETECTIVES,
And to whom a large portion of the
proceeds of the sale were given. Three
of the detectives have been indicted
by the grand jury. and the Washing
ton papers are daily filled with ac-
counts of how many startling rob-
berries were committed in the District
at the instigation of the detective
force. Several parties have turned
states evidence, and doubtless In the
next few weeks some lively revela-
tions will be made in court.
TEXAS POSTAL MATTERS.
Joseph Peters has been eommis-
stoned postmaster at Basset, Texas;
Emmett Headlee Mt Brewer. A post.
office has been established at Rhome
Wise county, Texas. on route 31,037
Cline viii hereafter be the name OF
Turkey Creek postoffice. Uvalde coun-
ty. Samuel Snead Will be postmaster
at Rhome. The following are the re
cent changes and improvements IN
the Texas postal system: A post
Office has been established at AMOR
Limestone county: the name of Alb
ney's Farm postoflice. Denton county
has been changed to Charlton; after
February 18th the special service to
Queen Peak postoflice will be discOn-
tinued; after March 10th the star ser.
vice on route 81 sos, from Cold Spring
to Waverly, will be discontinued
after March LIST on route 81, POI
from Austin to Lockhart the
star service will be extended
to Luling, sixteen miles fur
ther, and back six times week