Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-19
The Evening star has n regular, permanent
bonn eide daily circulation more than treble
that Of any ether daily paper published In
Washington. and eaaaI to that Of all the
other daily papers here added together.


The bill introduced In the Senate yesterday
by Senator Hampton does not indicate that the
democrats are disposed to take any backward
steps with regard to civil service reform. The
bill makes 1t unlawful for Senators or Repre-
sentatives "to recommend or solicit, directly or
indirectly, the appointment of any person to an
office under the government of the United
States" and provides a fine Of not more than
$4,000 or less than $500 for the misdemeanor,
one-half of which is TO go to the informer. A
saving clause follows to the effect that a num-
Der OF Congress may endorse applications for
Office. but only as to ''the facts of the case or
the character Of the application"
In practice 1t would probably prove difficult
to separate eulOgy from a statement of facts
And the bill might find objections of another
class. The appointing power must trust some
body in making its tens of thousands of selec-
tons for Office, and it is rather a reflection on
Congressman to specifically shut them out from
among the advisers of the executive. Under
the Hampton bill. member of Congress may
be asked for information by the executive. but
If he volunteers a recommendation he is liable
10 q heavy fine.
The intention of the bill is good, for ir springs
from q desire to relieve the executive from all
pressure from the legislative branch. And it is
also intended to relieve members of Congress
from the annoyance of office-brokerage. No
doubt the bill will find favor with many of the
more independent members, especially in the
Senate, on this ground. But its provisions are
impracticaDle. 1t would be next to impossible
to discriminate between what would rank as
recommendation solicitation and q plain
endorsement of an officer-seeker's character
and claims. Then it would be impossible to en-
force the penalties of the act. No Senator
would be fined, and any attempt to carry out
the law in this respect would lead to a farce and
cover the statute with ridicule.
It Is reported from n neighboring city that
the use of opium is becoming alarmingly pre-
valent there, and physicians are calling for
stringent legislation TO govern the sale and use
of the drug. The terrible effects of the opium
habit are very well known, and it is entirely
within the scope of the law to interfere in the
protection of the public health and good morals
against the practice. Long ago the Japanese
came to realize that their nearness to China
exposed them TO the invasion of pernicious
habit more to be dreaded than a contagious
disease. and on that account law was enacted
making 1t a capital crime for any native to inn
port or deal in opium suitable for smoking.
Under the treaty stipulations, also, such deal
inys are not allowed among foreigners in the
country. On this matter the Japanese govern
ment tolerates no compromise. The introduc-
ton of the opium habit it thinks would be
fatal to the health and morals of the people.
and 1t exercises its extreme authority to pro-
sect the people from such a deadly foe 1t is
maintained by some that we can follow the ex-
ample of Japan to advantage. Practically, we
are as near neighbor to China as that empire
is, and the question of opium Importation pre-
sents itself under the same aspects to both
countries. We seek to discourage the introduce
ton of the drug by heavy duties, but experience
shows that the cost of the indulgence has little
effect upon its victims when once the habit has
been formed, so that something more akin to
the japanese policy ofprohibition may have to
be resorted TO, If We wish to escape the evils OF
the opium habit one of the features of our
national life.