Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-14

congress ought 10 nave MADE the proposed
appropriation OF 100000 toward the compile
ton of the pedestal OF Barsholdi's statue of
Liberty. intended for New York harber. and
1t is rather to it's discredit that 1t did not but,
since IT did not Ii Will be still more discredit-
able 10 the rich men of New York If they fail to
contribute ali the money necessary for the pur-
pose bv the time the statue arrives there in
MAY. The gift was from the people of France
10 the people of America, and an appropriation
toward 1t from the public treasury there
fore as proper as 1t was Necessary, but, at the
same time. the situation chosen for the
statue and the purpose to which 1t will he de-
voted are so purely local that the people of New
York and its vicinity ought TO feel pride
enough in the affair TO that there * no de-
lay in having the pedestal ready for the figure.
There are II hundred men in New York, any
one of whom could bear the whole expense of
completing the work without sensibly feeling
the drain on his resources and if arnon, them
they 60 not promptly raise the money neces-
sary for the purpose they will not only dis
grace themselves, in a way, but, TO n certain ex-
tent. cast reproach Oh the whole community
In which they live
The ease, quiet and good-nature with which
the United States transferred its honors and
powers from one set of men TO another has ex-
cited the admiration of the world. 1t was not
OF so much moment that one administration
should succeed another in the same party with
ont friction. though that. too, had it's dramatic
features and illustrated national selfrespect and
seifcontrol; but that great party. which had
been in power for quarter of a century. should
readily and cordially relinquish its sway made
spectacle of selfgovernment which could not
fail to impress other nations. And the change
has been made the more suggestive by the dig
nifed action of Mr.. Arthur in quietly resulnng
his ordinary professional duties where he left
them to assume the office of President. To
Americans this step on his part seemed only
natural and proper; but it has mao a positive
sensation abroad. and has done more TO popu-
larize republican institutions than anything
that has marked the change of administrations
outside of the main fact that this change has
been made with entire good-order and good
nature.
AS misery loves company, it is comforting TO
find the Duke of Edinburgh and other naval
authorities in England speaking as reproach-
yuliy OF the British navy we speak of our
swn burlcsque fleets. The British vessels are
denounced rs entirely Inadequate to- their war
functions, and there is an urgent demand, there
As here for q ''modern navy This shows that
The United States did we'll not to catch the
spirit of emulation which has cost the European
powers so dearly. If our ships are old hulks
they are at least much less expensive hurnbugs
than the floating fortresses which European
nations have constructed only to find them
superseded by improved models.
Where the whole community is deeply inter-
ested in the issue of a sickness as In the case of
Garfield and now of Grant. it is natural that
there should be demand for details But
shere is such a thing pushing this interest
into vulgar, prying and gosSpy curiosity,
which benefits nobody. Let us hope that the
newspapers will not familiariZe the public with
quite so many jaw-breaking medical terms as
when Garfield was dying.
When they met at the White House yester-
day Mr.. Blaine probably congratulated Mr..
Cleveland on his success in reaching the presi-
dency, and Mr.. Cleveland probably replied by
congratulating Mr. Blaine his luck in
escaping it. OF the two men, Mr.. Blaine may
lead the life more congenial to a philosopher.
Senator Sherman may feel that circumstances
Justify him in withdrawing from the finance
committee but the country will regret that he
insists on taking the step. IT, as he is repre-
scented as saying. New England influence pre-
dominates in the committee, there is the greater
reason why he should remain to uphold the
Ohio idea.
Greatly To his own advantage, doubtless,
and certainly TO the relief Of newspaper readers
Mr.. John Mccullough is no longer the subject
of daily paragraphs. We suggest that Mr. ]. X.
Emmett be also placed on the shelf and allowed
Mr.. McDonald's friends insist upon 1t that
they will not allow him TO accept a foreign mis-
sion under the new administration. 1t is sug-
gested that they call 10 their aid Mr.. Hendricks.
With the able assistance of that gentleman
they may succeed in holding Mr.. Mcdonald
back
The strike among the railroad hands on the
Gould system is extending and deepening, and
Gould would do well to interrupt his yachting
long enough to pay some attention to the de-
mands of the situation. Otherwise the cruise
may turn out to be an expensive one for all con-
cerned.
France has arrested and expelled the leading
cynamiters who were living in that country.
They are said TO be heading towards the United
States, but are in hurry to welcome
them.
Government by enrolling clerk is very I'M
satisfactory. But the oyerwofked clerks should
not be held responsible for few blunders, if
Congress insists on COMPRISING all legislation
into the last week of a session.
This is a time Of dead-locks. Morrison and