Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-17

oOua nde daily Circulation more IMAM treDto
that of any other daily paper published In
Washington. and equal TO that Of ala the
other daily papers here added together.
The project for national military and naval
museum in this city deserves encouragement
The fact that Washington has already so many
valuable collections of various sorts is an argu.
ment favorable rather than adverse to the
multiplication of places for their exhibition.
Next in importance to the possession Of articles
of public interest is the obtaining OF quarters
adequate for their proper classification. Any
thing which is really of value an object of
historical or scientific study Is vastly more use
full If grouped with other objects of the same
class that the details of likeness and contrast
will be manifest at a glance. AS IL Is now. we
have thousands of relics models, etc., scattered
through the city in spots where their presence
is unknown to many OF the persons who would
be most profited by them, and which, in their
comparative isolation, excite only languid
and passing interest in the minds of the tourists
who stumble upon them. Such are the fine old
cannon of the earliest history of the country at
the navy yard, the trophies of arms now housed
in the National Museum, the flags In the
War department., the destructive devices In
the ordnance museum, etc. Most of these things
now occupy valuable space in department
buildings already too cramped. II brought
more than they do at present, and the room
they would release would be most welcome to
the crowded bureaus.
The announcement, moreover, that the fed.
era. government had set apart in Washington
appropriate place for the exhibition of
martial relics would solve a doubt that has
vexed a good many minds in all parts OF the
country since the civil war. Citizens who own
quaint firearms, swords and knives, odd bits of
clxod hxySr Tors
saddles, homemade flags, uniforms of indepen-
dent troops and the like, have been puzzled to
know what to do with them. II left to lie
about q private dwelling, there was a good
chance of their being lost stolen. If pre-.
sented to a local society, they would be seen by
only a handful OF people. II presented or sold
to a professional Snowman, they would be
liable to be mixed up with false relics or given
some fabulous association of their own, and,
after lew years service In a dusty case, find
their way to junk-shop. But the establish
uent of q museum under government auspices,
devoted exclusively to articles of historical or
scientific value connected with the art of war,
would provide refuge for O mass Of material
now subject TO the hazards of private owner
ship and unavailable to the historian who could
turn them to so excellent account in his work.
The expense of such a museum would be
trifiing as compared with the service to be de-
rived from it. II is bound to come one day, and
the sooner it is provided the more valuable it is
likely TO be. 90 ,z - -
Congressman are interested alike with the
citizens of Washington in having an efficient
police organization here, and ought therefore to
appreciate the force of the request made by the
Commissioners for the repeal Of the law reQuir-
ing appointments on the police force to be made
from men who have served in the army or navy
of the United States. This piece Of special leg
islation, passed some twenty years ago, was as
usual inflicted upon the District of Columb ia
by Congressman who would not dream of Grip
pling the police force Of their own homes by such
restrictions in the field of selection. But
whatever might have been the conditions
twenty years ago, the fact that all who served
In the civil war are now beyond the age Of eligi-
bility for police appointment shows the imper-
alive need for the repeal Of the law. Only
active, vigorous young men should be employed
upon police force to ensure efficiency, and the
widest range for the selection Of 1T men should
be given; especially as the appointments are
made for life or during good behavior.
It is satisfactory to learn that Consul General
Adamson does not intend to sit quietly by and
allow the government Of Colombia to outrage
justice In the persons Of American journalists
without at least q protest The treatment suf-
fered by the Panama Star and Herald was, from
all accounts, undeserved, and certainly the
contemptuous conduct Of the local authorities
toward Mr.. AdamsOn was unworthy OF civilized
diplomatic intercourse. 1t is to be hoped that
the State department will take up the matter
in a calm but determined spirit, and press it to
the last extremity Of reparation or apology.
The Monroe doctrine, which forbids the intru-
sion Of foreign governments upon American
shores, might well be amended so as to provide
for the enforcement of respectful manners
among the semi-savage governments which are
already here.
Those sensation-seekers who were half look.
ing and wholly hoping for an ARRAY in the
streets yesterday, between tho rival process
sions, were disappointed. Our colored fellow
citizens had their parades and their meetings
and went home and to bed without giving the
police authorities any more trouble than II
factional divisions had never been heard of
Now that 1t is all over, and they have q whole
year 10 look forward to the next emancipation
day celebration, they will do well to cast up the
losses and gains resulting from their split yes
terday and consider whether 1t would not be
wise TO bounce their wrangling aspirants for
leadership and have an harmonious Jubilee in
1887, with one big procession, and a review by
the President, and all the other incidents
which give dignity to such occasion.
Now that the Library bill has become a law
Let the commission lose no time In negotiating
for the site tor the building And, as soon as it
Is ascertained how much both the designated
squares will cost, let some practical economist
Introduce bill without delay appropriating
money for the purchase of the one the commis-
sion does not choose. One Of tbessdaps she
government will have to buy the second 50 riare
and with the handsome new library building to
oeautify the neighborhOod. there is no telling
what point the price Of adjacent real estate will
touch.
In view of little controversy which stirred
tennessee 10 Its political center Just twelve
months ago, 1t is safe TO predict that Senator
Witihorne will not bother Assistant Secretary
Porter with applications for consuIships for his
friends and retainers
IF YOU ARE BUILDING SEE THE PaRIOR
II DiNlNG-kOOM and HALL MANTELS fitted nm
u separate room, with everything TO match at
MANNING & COS,
1870 Pennsylvania NV.
II gives you idea how work should be done aI3iv