Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-12

Fer his own sake, Il Il 20 be hoped that Commits
sioner Lydeckcr has not been correctly reported In
being made 20 say that II the Commissioners had
Doth the power and the money necessary for the
purpose, he would yet be opposed to rembursing
tae members OF the citizens committee for the ex-
penses they have incurred In behalf OF law and
order, and In protecting the community from Or
gained crime. This Is singular position for
public officer TO assume: and. although IL could
not haye been so intended the moral effect OF II
must be To strengthen and encourage the Grim
tnal classes IN their unlawful courses What was
the situation under which these OUTLAWS have been
made: Whether through their inenc1eBcy or In
disposition. 1t has long been apparent that the
public authorities a. then constituted were un-
equal to the task OF suppressing crime In the city
few public spirited-cftiZens voluntarily came to
Che aid OF the officials, and by their united eorts
and solely at taeir own expense, succeeded In ex-
posing and breaking mp one OF the most danger
Gus combinations that ever existed anywhere, and
made the punishment OF crime once more possible
In the District OF Columbia They did this, II Is
true. without fee or hope OF reward. beyond the
Consciousness Of a duty TO society well performed
An the same, however. the efforts they made and
the results they accomplis he'd were as much for
the benefit OF every other law abiding citizen OF
washington as o: themselves. and II the Commas
stonerS had the money and the power requisite,
the expenses incurred In the matter ought to be
paid out OF the pubic treasury as any other out
lay necessary the protection OF society and the
enforcement OF The laws To take the position as
suned by or attributed 70 Commissioner Lydecker
Is 70 reDel rather than encourage citizens In their
proper desire to uphold the hands Of the public
authorities IN the performance OF their duties no
matter how much such support may be desired or
needed Whether the mere money expended be
reimbursed or not VIII probably make little differ
ence TO the gentlemen most directly interested;
but TO the attitude in which that officer is placed
they and all other good citizens have the right TO
take exceptions.
Failing utterly, with all their hard swearing, to
shake the government case against them, the star
route defendants seem to find some satisfaction In
''sa5sing' the government counsel They have
been pleased TO refer 70 Rerdell as assistant
counsel" and. one after another OF the accused
has repeated the impertinence, II would seem that
there was something particularly gratifying to
them IN IL The court yesterday rebuked Miner
for his mpertinent N amer toward counsel for the
prosecution In the very probable event OF con-
viction II may, possibly, be consol1ng to the de-
PENDANTS that they made Mr.. Merrick angry.
There is certainly nothing In the present stage OF
the case or In the outlook from which they can
extract much comfort
The Incorporation officials OF the republican
central committee of the District" let the Cat out
of the bag In their wall FOR suffrage. The commit
tees resolutions might have been abbreviated
somewhat Ia the following form: Resolved that
none but republicans SIRE entitled to hold office,
and as we are the republicans OF the District we
want the offices under the local government
The principal speaker at The meeting, with the
tact OF skillful politician. invited the democrats
10 JoiE In the projected movement In behalf OF
that priceless heritage" but the resolution
fazners, rejecting all political fnesse bluntly
declared war against the democracy. The spirit
OF partiSanship manifested Is a f0retaSte OF the
wrangIing over spols that would follow a restora-
tioa OF the right TO vote. Under the existing form
OF government politics Is poweriess TO disturb the
relations Of the District with Congress-, whereas
revival of the discarded electoral system would
create party antaguaisTn which would almost
certainly inHuence Congress. When the majority
In Congress happened 10 De IN accord with the
party In power in the District, perhaps matters
woald go along smoothly enough; but whenever
Congress should De ruled by one party and the
District by It's opponent. antagonisns would
arise that would operate injurouslJ to the people
here
the star route gang have put out story that
Dorsey intimidated Mr.. Merrick from catechising
him with any severity by threats OF personal VIC
lence This Is an absurd canard. Dorsey will
never asSail any one OF Mr. Merrtck.s years and
Vlsof: but when be can inyeigle feeble Old man