The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1883-01-06

We repeat that its author is.a cowardly cur |
whom it would be an honor to call dog.
WE understand that the River Commits
sion paid 81 ,250 apiece for fifty barges that |
could be built, and which were offered to |
be built at Cairo, for $3.50 apiece, Why |
this extravaganza? Fifty times $500
amounts to the snug sum Of $4,000. Was it
a case of addition, division and silence?"
>--
A LAWYER of good standing at the Dis
trict bar told THE CRITIC recently that
there are grave doubts as to the consttu
tionality of the law creating the Police
Court, and that in his Judgment, whenever
an adverse verdict involving citizen of
reputation and standing, of influence and
means, was rendered the matter would be
carried TO the higher courts and the con-
stitutional question finally settled. 1t is
an interesting question.
LAST YEAR Major Richardson said that
the River Commission spent $115,0o0 to re
pair levees where the river is 100 feet deep.
OF course the levees are essential to navi-
CATION
Again, $4,000 have been allotted, Gen.
eral Comstock says, to fill up the Bonnet
Carre Crevasse. The river at this point is
over 100 feet deep. OF course the expen-
diture of this sum is for the purpose of i'm
proving the navigation of the river.
UNDER Gan act to increase the water
supply of the City of Washington, and for
other purposes" approved July 10, 1882,
thcsum of 81 ,4S5, ,279.30, or so much thereof
as might be necessary, was appropriated to
pay for the land to extend the aqueduct,
to construct reservoir on the high grounds
of North Washington, near Sixth street ex-
tended, with capacity of not less than
three hundred million gallons, and to erect
the necessary gate.houses and lay such
main-connections as might Unnecessary to
furnish to Washington and Georgetown an
ample supply of water.
When this bill was passed the people of
this city breathed prayer of thankfulness
that a great want was about to be sup
piled. 1t is notorious fact that the in
adequate supply of water at all elevated
and, consequently, more desirable locations
of the city, has been sorely felt. The pso.
pie have long begged and pleaded for
water, and when the appropriation was
made to remedy this state of affairs it is no
wonder they breathed sigh of relief On
Capitol Hill, and at other points of COM
paratively great elevation in the city,
water cannot be obtained above the first
story of the houses, and even there at only
certain portions of the day.
Can any one explain why it is that so
ol, a, 10 last IL,
plying this very great and pressing need
since the appropriation has been made
available? Ifa fire should occur in any of
the localities indicated the property of our
citizens would be left. necessarily, to the
mercy of the destroying element.
IN our news columns we publish few
facts concerning the extravagant and
scandalous, if not illegal and corrupt, man
agement of the Department of Justice.
The CRITIC and other papers have re-
peatedly asserted, and it has never been
denied, that the special counsel for the
Government in the Star-Routo cases were
paid enormous and unprofessional fees
These fees were specified as follows
PR day.
H. 4. MerricK' .''.'.','.'.....'........ 6o
w. w. ker, "..,,,,,.........,,..,.,.,. so
Total..... ......................... 5000
In the face of these daily wages is it any
wonder that the Star-Route trials are long
drawn out? Every day that they can be
stretched out adds that much legal Tor il
legal, certainly unprofessional) loot to
their capacious pockets.
Is it any wonder that Mr.. Bliss and his
hired man, Woodward, are busily engaged
in trying to get up new cases against Other
parties? Is he the kind of man to do JUS
tice by or show fair play to any one wher
a hundred dollars a day is tempting him tx
a contrary course? The testimony o
Phelps, Dodge & Co. would be competen
to this inquiry
Mr.. Bliss has drawn to date $4,000 fo
his services" in the Star-Route cases. II,
is now, THE CRITIC is informed, in tn,
habit of drawing his per diem wages b.
the week, fearing that Congress will Gu
the umbilical cord which connects him witt
the Treasury.
Would it not be we'll for the Appropria
tion Committees of Congress to look afte
these and other raids on the Treasur
planned in the Department of Justice.