Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-15

The election il over now, and the general
result known. Harrison is 10 be the President
Of the United States, the governor of the Dis
trfct. and the mayor Of Washington. The Senate
Of the United states,-the upper house of the
Dstricss legislature, and washingtons board
q ahermsn,-wfn be republican. The House
q Rlpesssntssives of the United States,-the
&ewer house OF the Districts legislature, and
WaAAingt ons common council. will perhaps be
81 he SAND political complexion, though the
question n still contested. This community
viii naturally take much interest in all political
news tsuding 20 definite knowledge concerning
tAs make-up Of its Legislature, and the views
and purposes of its new government. But cam
pa3ga politics, with its monopolistic demands
upon public attention, is ont of date. The OPP
portunity is now giving to quit talking politics
for a while, and to give ones thoughts and
efforts 10 something else
There are. for example. a good many things
about Washington that need attention. First
Of all, instead Of wasting more time and breath
in telling what might have been, il something
slss hadn't happened, citizens might see if
they cannot get up a ''boom' for the general
business OF the town, which has been rather
duh, Of late, owing to misdirected interest and
energy Next, they might take for a theme
the advantages of Washington as a place Of
residence and point for the investment of
capital, illustrating the subject by few strik-
ing examples of the rapidly increasing value
Of real estate in the city and vicinity. Then
hssle surplus eloquence might be worked off to
good purpose on the District Commissioners,
with the view Of getting better sidewalk pave
ments throughout the city, and especially
along some Of the streets most frequented BY
pedestrians, and which are now in a condition
that is at once disgraceful to the District gov
srnmsnt and dangerous to those who are COM
peeled to use them. The triumvirate ought to
be persqadsd to quit riding around in comfort
able carriages, for a while, and go afoot like
common people, and thus learn some of the
ereatEeeds of the city, about which they now
seem 10 know or care very little. In the same
connection they might be asked If there isn't
some way by which people and companies who
tear up the streets for various purposes can be
compelled 10 put them in decent condition
within a reasonable time, or some time The
inquiry might be squarely put to them whether,
a. ample citizens of the town, they think the
muddy ditch along the north side of Pennsyl-
vsnia avenue is anything less than public out
rage.
Another subject greatly needing attention is
the iniquitons building lien law at present in
force here, which makes a privileged class of
those engaged in certain lines of business, and
seriously interferes with the growth and pros
parity OF the city If from sympathy interest,
warped judgment, or any other reason, the Com
mission as at present constituted cannot see its
way clear to recommend the proposed amend
ment to the law, which will wipe away its op-
pressive and unjust provisions without defeat
ing its legitimate purposes, then a change in
the composition of that body ought to be in
sisted upon. The welfare of the city and the
rights Of the citizen are Of more consequence
than the special interests of any one man, or
any set of men, and should be looked after and
preserved accordingly.
Then there is another subject in behalf of
which every body in Washington ought to Join
hands and work together without ceasiny.
That is a better scater supply. There is no one
thing that stands so much in the way o: the
immediate growth of the city, and which so
directly affects the comfort of its people as the
present scarcity of water. 1t may not be amiss,
In going along, to spend some breath il impre-
cations upon rascaliy tunnel contractors, in
competent workmen, corrupt inspectors, and
..
wish them all safely in the penitentiary in pun
ishment for the great wrong they have done;
but the main thing is more trdter' That should
be the theme OF argument, song, and prayer.
until it 10 secured. An organized effort ought
to be made to lay before Congress Immediately
upon assembling the vital need of prompt and
dscisaye action by that body toward this specific
end. Investigating committees. courts Of in
IpR and rlo 10 h.
enough, in their way, and serve a useful pur-
pose; but they leave out Of view or rather fail
to directly promote the main issue. What
Washington needs TO insist upon, and to insist
upon all the time, is a better ,oater srpply, rid-
ext delay. II can hardly be that united, vigorous
and persistent efforts to this result would fail
for long
Then the increasing encroachments of rail-
way and other corporations upon the rights of
the people must be resisted more effectively
than they now are. Nothing short of organized
effort viii accomplish anything in this direction.
30, too, united action would in the end secure
much-needed improvement in the quality of
gas now supplied in Washington. If the pres
emit monopoly is not willing and cannot be
made to furnish II, then relief must be sought
in q competing company. 1t is intolerable that
any community should be imposed upon in this
respect as the people of Washington have
been.
These and q number Of other things which
WIN readily suggest themselves to thoughtful
and public-spirited citizens, are far better than
campaign politics, for this community, whose
interests are identified wholly and solely with
the welfare of the national capital The ac-
complainant Of every one of them is neces-
asry to advance the material interests of the
city, and to promote the health and comfort of
its people. They are certainly worth striving
Tor, earnestly, IN season and out of season.
Let every one therefore eschew excess of pol
itics for a while, and 60 to work and keep at
work for them with a viii. "A long pull. a
strong pull, and a pull all together" will GER,
tainly accomplish something in each direction
indicated, and any advance win be vast i'm
provement on existing conditions.
The citizens who are arranging for the in
suguration of the next President and indeed
the people Of the city generally, are pleased to
ind that the Postmaster General will not take
narrow or prejudiced view of the request
that the removal Of the local post-office to the
pension building be delayed, if possible, to the
end that the hall Of the latter building may
be used for the nrrroses of the inaucr,-