Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-01
What Congressmen Should Not DO

To the Editor o. The LyESISG STAR.
Senator Vest says he signed the petitions for star
rouse expedition because they came from his con-
sttuens, and that he knew nothing of their merits
or demerits Many other Senators and members
who sign like petitions might truthfully say the
same. They signed and passed them just as Con-
gTe3slen to-day are signing and passing thousands
from constituents This Is one OF the greatest evils
OF our civil service. Without attempting to ac-
quaint themselves with the merits of their constit-
uentS demands, congressman lend them the great
Influence OF their names, and when an executive
officer or clerk yields, as Gen. Brady did, to that
influence and fraud ensues, they visit all the blame
on him. What right have they to sign and urge
such petitions and demands until they have inves-
tlgated Inn, or even then? They are not general
attorneys for their constituents.
bureau officers may deny 1t. but everyone ac-
qualnted with the subject knows that Congress
s.onai influence is daily securing influence Of
cltlns that never would pass upon their merits
Claimants throughout the country have learned
that this influence is as potent proof, and are
fiO0diag their Congressman with appeals for help
This has created the necessity for private secreta
ries 10 congressman. Bureau officers supply Con-
greSSInen with a special form OF card, on which to
call up Claims OF their constituents, and the clerks
are Instructed that such ''calls" are to be made
advanced, two others at least must be equally re-
tarded; SO much time is lost in selecting these
special cases.
A law making it a crime for a Congressman to
advocate petition or claim on the government
would do more TO purify the civil service than
thousand atar-route prosecutions. J.W.S.
Defects in the German Railroad Bill.
GRIEVANCES THAT SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED.
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
Approaching the efforts Of the District commit
tee OF the Senate to regulate the passage of rail-
road trains through our avenues and Streets and to
provide union depot for the arrival and departure
OF trains entering our CITY, earnestly protest in
behalf OF p 900 OF citizens against some of the
provisions OF the bill recently introduced by Sena-
Tor German. am no obstructionist. on the con-
yralan
roads and furnish them every reasonable facility
AT the same tlme however, that legislation is in
voked for their advantage, there are certain in
alienabe rights of citizens which are worthy of
consideration by Congress and should be respected
by railroad companies; l need not repeat the
South Washington have groaned Tor many
years, endangering life, interfering with the
Of tner the
stances, rendering their homes untenable, If not
actually compelling them to vacate them. Quietly
submitting to the wrongs inflicted upon them, al
though seeking, but in vain, redress from the Com
missioners, who while admitting the justice of
their complaints, declared themselves without au-
thority to correct them, they were compelled, as
the last resort, to seek protection from the courts
and with the success so far that, some parts OF
our streets the railroad company has been enjoned
against lOadlng ana unloading on the Streets and
TO contne its travel within certain limits as to the
number OF tracks. Possibly may be told that the
bi of Senator German provides for this very thing
mat IT. imposes upon railroads entering our city
certain restrictions, cOmpelS them to Vacate the
mai, ana requires them to guard their roads by
FENCES and automatic gates SO far they are wise
ana ludci0uS. But 1t should not be overlooked
that, In making these provisions, 1t cOntemplates
other provisions which, If having the sanction OF
law. virtually destroys large part Of South Wash
lngton as place or residence. and dOOmS 1t as a
section for merely railroad purposes See 1t grants
10 the3e companies the right to JOu tracks through
Two OF the finest avenues in the cty-Virginia and
Maryiani-and also the privilege of making up
and which should not be tolerated And then,
"f0tte dctu, IL Is provided in the bill that they
snail not be permitted to occupy more than sixty
feet of our avenues. Why ask, unless the railroad
companies intend to make perpetual the use OF our
streets f0f loading and unloading, and for shifting
ana making up their trains, why authorize them
To nave four tracks, and TO occupy the half OF the
q transit over the Long bridge by way OF Virginia
and Maryland avenues, why not cOnfine them to
Two tracks and with such restrictions as Shall not
destroy the vested rights OF so many OF our citizens
ana SUBJECT them to unustitiable loss and annoy
;tnce lnere Is another feature OF Mr. tiOrman'S
bili, giving the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
company the right to obtain ground for depot pur-
TO decide such question as that provision involves
ana therefore content myself with simply raising
the question: "Whether, If even Congress has the
rSht, under the constitution, to allow corporation
authority TO acquire property by condemnation for
Drirdte purposes" OBSERVER
NATIONAL THEATER.--A large audience enjoyed
the Immensely funny performance OF Barlow, VIII
son d CO. S minstrel troupe last night. The actors
ana singers were all 1rSt-casS, and the SpecialtieS
ana combination pieces were very good The base
Dii contest was very funny, and kept the audience
laughing continually. The MINISTRIES will give
another performance tonight