Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-13

patriots who are eager 10 serve tue Old nag Tor
a small appropriation. But contrary report
now prevails. to the effect that the President
has come to the conclusion that the changes In
Office have been fully rapid enough TO suit his
views, and that hereafter they are to be made
only upon the most careful consideration. 1t
is noticed that very few appointments were
made last week, and in explanation it is said
that the President has called u halt
The opinion of the Attorney General in the
case of the Dolphin is likely 10 be surprise to
the country, and will be little less than @ thun-
derbolt, not only TO Mr.. Roach, bat to all gov
eminent contractors. We may expect 10 see
the opinion vigorously conbated, and, until
Mr.. Roach has a chance To reply to Gen. Gar
land with regard 10 the legal aspects of the case
It may not be becoming in laymen TO PREJUDICE
the merits of the controversy. IL will occur to
most people. however, TO ask what security a
contractor has under existing Usages that his
work will finally be accepted by the govern
ment The opinion will certainly make con-
tractors more cautious In the future, and will
have n tendency, Us has already been illustrated
on recent occasion. TO keep them from bid.
ding for government work. In almost all large
iob> the work is passed upon by O subordinate
officer or board, and partial payments made to
the contractor, If tine work is teemed satiSfac-
tory by the authorized inspector. new and
i.prp,exing element is introduced, if we are now
20 understand that these under-ofhcerS have no
authority TO represent the government or con-
strIe an act OF Congress, and that the contractor
1T any stage of the work is liable to have his
work rejected and TO be sued by the govern
ment for the money paid him in instalments by
the Treasury by the authority OF the board Of
review.
OF course If 1t can be shown that there was q
conspiracy TO defraud the government, to which
the contractor the board OF review, and the Sec
rotary of the Navy were parties, then there
would be no difficulty In bringing action, but
in the present case no such charge is made, al
though it seems to be part of the creed of good
democrats that all the navy dealings with John
Roach are stepped in corruption. Possibly this
conviction has had Its influence in the present
attitude of the administration. No doubt we
shall all be sufficiently enlightened on the law
and equity in the matter. as the opinion opens
:he way to extended and expensive litigation.
When an old-time japanese gentleman con-
sidered himself iDsulted ne used to go at night
to the door of his insulters house and commit
hari-kiri. And in the morning, when the re-
mains were found, the owner OF the house was
obliged by the code of honor to promptly dis
ENDOWED himself also. 1t remains to be seen
how strictly this fashion in suicide will be fol-
lowed IL aristocratic Germany. A few days
ago prince Went on spree with num-
Der of young military officers, and in the
course of events boxed one of his COM
paDions' ears. The officer thus insulted
was prevented by etiquette from challenging
the prince to mortal combat, so he blew his
own brains out, after leaving a note OF explana-
ton for the information of all concerned. We
are told that the emperor has written q letter
of coincidence TO the victim 5 father, and that
the prince is under military arrest but 1t is not
very likely that the young man will be roman
tic enough to commit hari-kari.