The Washington critic., 1886-02-15


name implies, for their mutual protec.
tion, held meeting on Friday evening
last and adopted series of very con
scrvative resolutions adverse to what
they call the "ill.advised agitation of
the temperance question. There is
much in the resolutions to approve 80
far as they relate to legislation which
is manifestly impracticable or in any
way calculated to prejudice the cause
of sobriety or good morals which II is
intended opromote. We have always
believed that the cause of temperance
would work Its way to the highest at
tainable success under system of wise
regulation rather than absolute inhibi-
tion of the liquor traffic; but our
friends of the Protective Association
arc scarcely just in chasing the friends
of high license with the "ill.advised
agitators" referred to. The question
Of license is one intimately connected
with that of regulation. 1t is only i'm.
portant TO determine where to draw the
line. If II is wrong to fix It at $500,
why not half as wrong to fix It at $3.50?
The truth of the matter is that the
proper sum to be agreed upon is that
which shall most relieve the trade of
its Objectionable features and least con.
flict with its legitimate interests. 1t
may be that $500 is too high; It strikes
us that $3.50 is too low. Upon this
point among intelligent citizens there
should be no great difficulty in arriving
at satisfactory adjustment.
THE persecution of the Hebrews In
Russia under the circumstances is
somewhat inexplicablc. Nearly every
acre of land in Russia proper is mort.
gagged. The Car collects the taxes,
which he turns over to his creditors,
minus the running expenses of his Gov.
ernmcnt. This year, out of total in.
come of 1898, zoo, 900, he takes for his
personal use S5, $50 900, and turns over
TO his creditors $130,000,00O. And
these creditors are Hebrews. The
amount due on private land mortgages
is about S110,0O0,000. The holders of
nearly all those mortgages are Hebrews.
In the event of European crisis, in
which Russia should be involved, the
Hebrews would doubtless resolve them.
selves into a Ways and Means Commit.
tee for the Cars advice. There is one
power more dcspotic than his-the
power of creditor over debtor.
THE bill introduced in the House of
Representatives by Mr.. Tarsney of
Michigan to regulate the transporta-
ton of live stock is intended to obviate
the maltreatment of cattle in transit
and decrease the death.rate consequent
thereon. II is legislation of which
commercial as well as humane and
sanitary considerations demand the en-.
actment, and Congress should give the
matter It's prompt and earnest attention.
A BILL to pension Mrs. Hancock
will reach the President before the
week is ended. The amount of the
pension will be $4,000. There are
many members who would be willing
to make 1t $1,000, but the widows Of
General Thomas and Admiral Farra-
gut only receive $4,000 and precedents
in such matters are not to be easily
overcome.
THE bill for the establishment of a
new Police Court in this District, as
prepared by committee of the Bar As.
sociation, provides for a court of five
magistrates. The full text of this i'm
portant bill appears elsewhere in THE
CRITIC to-day. 1t is to be submitted to
the Bar Association on Wednesday
evening.
COLONEL INGERsoLL thinks that Bis
marck is beast" The Chancellor will
probably get even by making few
more remarks about the American
hog"