National Republican., 1886-11-27
breakfast Table Letter to the p,

break1ast IhDle Letter TO the President.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: The commissioners for the
District of Columbia, whom you appointed
and whom the Senate confirmed, constitute q
board which is clothed with executive power
over the national capital They are at present
embarrassed and the public mind is deeply
exercised with police scandal Alter due
examination they have made certain changes
in the police force. In their decision and re-.
port, In the Walker-Arnold case, they sue
ceeded in obtaining resignation from Mai
Walker under the pressure OF testimony which
they themselves denounce as perjury. Mai
Walkers fellowcitizens, who know him best
insist that he is an honest man, but for want
ofcapacity and experience he is untitled for
the responsible and arduous duties of the chief
ofpolioe. The latter fact shows lack of good
judgment in appointing him.
This conspicuous failure has caused a doubt
in the public mind as 10 the ability of the
commissioners themselves II anything were
needed to justify the doubt their official report
in the Arnold case would be sufficient. Itisbut
Just to state that they are in possession OF test-
mony not yet given to the public that may lift
the suspicion and doubt that now clouds their
usefulness.
Mr.. President; A great deal has been said of
late about lying and perjury. Even some of
the American press has been publicly charged
with lying. A private liar Is bad enough, but
public liar, with the steam press at his COM
mand, is a postileuce that good men every
where should flee from.
Says IN eminent authority: "a man may
state what is untrue from ignorance or mlscon-
ception; but to say he lies Is to charge him
with the highest dishonor Hence the word
Wruh is sometimes used as a soflened express
sion when we do not wish TO make the charge
Of lgiHg in the grossest form. When / hear
my neighbor speak that which is not true, and
say to him, this IS not true, or this Is false,
only convey to him the naked idea OF his
error this is the primary idea but II say It
is a he, the word lie carries also n secondary
idea; for II implies both the falsehood OF the
speech, and my rcploach and censure of the
speaker"
Inc law uecluIch perjury 10 DC the act OF
crime of willfulIy making false oath"
Again "a person who swears willmlly, abso.
lutely, and falsely in a matter material to the
issue is guilty Of perjury"
The crime Of perjury, the commissioners In
their official report charge, was committed by
Lleuts. Arnold and Kelly,
Knowing the deep interest you take in the
affairs of the District of Columbia, and that It
is yeur constitutional duty to see to It that the
laws are faithfully executed, your attention is
invited to this case with the hope that you will
cause such instructions to be given by the De.
pGrIment Of Justice to District Attorney Worth.
ington as viii urge him to do his duty
promptly, and put these men upon trial, If
they are not guilty they will be able to vIndi-
cate themselves much better than can be done
by simple resolutions Of u public meeting. II
guilty, they should DO punished.
In the case Of private citizen who commits
perjury the police officers aud men, are not
slow to furnish the proof Of his guilt 1t has