National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-17
KEEP it dark.
Turn on the Light.

The inquisitorial methods which have en-
tered into the conduct Of public affairs in
the District of Columbia have become a
standing shame to the government. 1t is
palpable and undisputod that tho affairs Of
tho district are conducted with almost as
much secrosy as were the proceedings of the
Spanish inquisiton. The daylight has been
shut out and public officials meet with dark
lanterns to transact that business in which
the people are supposed to be most concerned
The district commissioners, with the powers
Of Russian dcspot debating the laws to
Poland, meet within barred doors to
regulate tho domestic concerns of 2OO,-
0oO people. Their authority is auto
cratic and they WELD it to the
limit OF legal Interpretation. Whatever
they may do is not known until it has been
irrevocably dccrecd and promulgated.
Whether their action is honest and lawful it
matters not. They are not amenable to the
people, and they can answer o popular dc.
mand or scorn 1t as thoy choose. This is tyr
HnnN-IHS MOTsI bOEt Vi tJruuhy' II COhVld-
venes every principle OF American govern.
ment. 1t is condition which
might Justly provoke rebellion in
any state in the union. The American
people are accustomed to seeing their public
officers doing their work in tho broad sun
light of day. 1t is q startling spectacle to see
an administrative body meeting within the
shadows of closed room as IL it were grand
jury forreting out the deeds of criminals
But this is only one slight view of the evil
that atflicts this community. Every depart
with secrcsy. Whichever way tho taxpayer
turns he is confronted with dark lantern.
If it relates to the improvement of a sewer
he has to look through a keyhole to find
out what no wants to know. If it is a
street fronting his property or an alley
to be opened it is as if he were negotiating a
ransom with all oath-bound band. The tax
payer pays his money to support the
semblance of government, but he
knows nothing of how the govern
mental affairs of tho city are conducted.
of that branch of the district organization
are sealed to the people, chief of police
finds himself able to defy the law and to
laugh at public inquiry. The record of
crimes and the catalogue of criminals are
closed books. The other records of that offic c
are hept at tho bottom of an
iron box and the box kept locked. The
charges against police officers are among the
profoundest secrets A patrolinan who walks
the beat around your home may be charged
with the worst of crimes, but his ofiense is put
in ink on piece of paper and securely hid
from view, and you never hear of it. A
policeman may be put on trial, but nobody
knows it, and whatever the evidence there il
no danger that 1t will be revealed to the
public, That would BIO fragrant violation
of the principle of secresy upon which oui
district affairs are maintained.
This city suffers from the evils of dark,
lantern government. Americans everywhere
condemn secresy in public affairs. Here il
this city and district they demand that the
daylight be let in on the doings of public
officials. The record-every record, and nc
exception-must DO open to public inspec
ton. If it is from inefficient officials
and not from inadequate laws, that W.
suffer- we demand that the officers shall 90
Imbocility is always dangerous, and, ii at tn,
head of police department there is stupidit!
and arrogance where there should be intelli
gencc and respect for the law, the welfare O
| the people requires change. The people ar
t tired of secresy in government affairs, O
+ kcyholc legislation, of bolted doors, of dark
. ness.