Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-05

The end OF the Forty-seventh Congress is near
at hand, and the future accommodation of the
Congressional Library remains unpr0vtded for.
The project OF erecting building In size and style
of architecture suitable for housing, a national
library, and TO be In all its features representative
OF this great and growing nation, met with almost
universal approval. 1t Is admitted on all hands
that the invaluable material OF the Congressional
Library as at present situated and in its over
Crowded condition is restricted TO limits in
comparison with the great benefit it might be to
the country. 1t IL like hiding light under a
buSheL The failure hitherto on the part OF Con-
gress to provide suitable accommodation for the
library and extend Its uses and benefits has not
been owing TO a want OF appreciation OF the i'm
poItance OF such action. The minor question OF a
site for the proposed building has arisen an OBJ
stacle to the much needed legislation whenever the
subject mas been brought before Congress. This
question has interposed TO delay action curing the
present Congress, but the indications now are that
IT could be settled satisfactorily II the two houses
would each pass library bill and send the ques-
ton OF such differences as may exist between
them to committee OF conference. The House
has declared against the location OF the proposed
building on tie squares Immediately east of the
Capitol and In favor OF placing it upon a govern
ment reservation. A bill to carry out this ex-
pressed Will OF the House has been prepared, and,
1t Is believed, would be readily passed if an oppor-
tInity for bringing it up could be obtained In the
Senate the earnest advocates OF library building
express willingness TO fOrego any precOnceived
opinion with regard 10 site in order to accom-
plish the greater ani more important purpose OF
procuring a building. One determined effort WILL
unless appearances are very deceptive, In behalf
OF the National Library meet with success, not
wIthStanding the press OF important business.
And In Legtslating upon this subject Congress
should remember that the people willing to
pay for q building that will be a credit to the ma
ton as one OF its permanent, most useful and most
prominent institutions.
The superintendent OF the U. s. naval academy
at Annapolis, In his maintenance OF the discipline
for cadets, has exhibited flrmness which Is gem
orally commended as one OF the qualifications
necessary to the place he occupies; but he seems
to have made mistake in his treatment OF the
accredited representatives OF leading newspapers
sent TO Annapolis to collect inform ition with re-
gard TO the trouble IN the academy He not only
denied these correspondents admission to the
academy grounds, but issued orders, it Is said,
20 subordfnates that they should not furnish any
Information whatever about the matters In dis
pute. The naval academy Is an Institution that
IS supported By the people, and they have right
10 know, through their organs OF Information
the daily preSs-such leading facts concerning its
conduct and manage ment are OF general inter-
est. IL the superintendent had looked beyond the
limits of the academy grounds, he would have
tary OF the Navy himself, cautiously received the
representatives, OF the press ami willingly gave
them his views and such Information concerning
the affair as he had.
The prosecution OF the star route cases shows
that the government counsel are leaving no de-
feCtiye links In the chain of evidence this time.
1t IS acknowledged by all disnt rested parties
that the governments case Is much stronger at
this stage OF the proceeding than 1t was at the
conclusion OF the former trial Men who were
employed to execute the designs Of the conspira-
tors have given convincing testimony that there
was collision between those entrusted with the
administration Of the star route service. and the
contractors This testimony, taken in connection
with the documentary evidence, makes a very
plain case, and the government has not yet ex-
hausted its discriminating evidence.
The Independent movement which defeated the
democratic party In Baltimore last fall Is stin
alive, and seems to threaten further trouble for
the regulars In pursuance Of recommendation
OF the mayor, an ordinance has been introduced
In the city council for the reorga nization OF the
nre department by the substitution OF a fire mar
shall, as the responsible head, for the. existing
board of commissioners. The vigilant independ-
entS think they see In this proposed change q
scheme for the GENERALIZATION OF political power
around the executive OF the city with view to
making sure OF future elections; and they will
heep SCI utiuZhS eye upon the pfOJecL
Lent comes month earlier than usual this
year, and the butterflies OF fashion who have been
disportlng 80 gally through this short but lively
season have only two days lett before they must
don their gay plumage and don sackcloth and
ashes, SO to speak.
what with Gambetta's death, the dangerous
Illness OF Bismarck and the German emperor and
the new threat OF the nhilists against the life OF
the Russian emperor, things look little squally
In European circles
That riches have wings" is illustrated by the
bankruptcy of Senator Ferry He has heretofore
been reputed to be worth In the neghborhood of
two million dolarS.