Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-02
THE PROPOSED b. & p. FREIGHT
DEPOT.
south Washington's Protest Against the
District Attorneys Opinion,
To the Editor of TEE EvrSrSo sr...

40 the Editor Of TEE EvKSNo SrAR;
AruIy we are come upon strange times when
pubic official, whose duty it is to interpret
the law and proceed against those who violate
the law, and who is bound by financial obliea-
uons, as servant OF the people, TO a faithful
discharge of the duties which are imposed mon
him, can calmly state in his official opinion
that powerful corporation Is breaking the
law, and in the same breath advise his supe-
riors, the executors Of the law, to keep their
hands on, as they have no quarrel with this
corporation, the powerful Pennsylvania Rail-
road Il am weary, says this learned and well
paid Official; Il am weary of these eternal
wars, these eternal wars in which the people
Oh south washington are embroiled How
many battles has this valiant official fought for
the people OF South Washington that he has
become so wearied? Where are his trophies2
Where are his victories in their behalf? Where
are mis- scars and wounds2 One would think
that every possible charge had been made upou
the enemy of law, and that finally, sick and
sore, outgeneraled and outwitted the protector
ana defender OF the people had to lay down his
arms and cry out: ''Spare me; be merciful to
me, oh, great and powerful corporation,
VIII never do it again! The interests of
those $4,000 people are of no moment
compared with your imperious demands"
lie says that the Pennsylvania Railroad have
no right under the law to maintain certain
tracks; that they have no right to build depot
over public alley. With one sweep of the
pen he says, THE Southwest Association" as
he calls it, should file bill to enioin their
eviction at once" and with another he saws,
THE Baltimore and Potomac should file a bill
to enjoin us from revoking or taking steps to
actively prevent their work. Ihave so advised
them" What a shameful straddling of the
fence. But the Baltimore and Potomac or
rather the Pennsylvania Railroad, is a power
full corporation; the people are a parcel of
weak grumblers- We won't oppose the strong,
says this public servant; let the weak take care
OF themselves. The Koran SAYS that God is
great and Mohammed is His prophet, and this
public official substantially declares that the
pennsylvania Railroad is great, and the execu-
tors OF the law are its prophets. They are the
lordly patricians and the people are the lowly
plebeans. We are called agitators and disturb
ers, and syndicates and other hard names, be-
cause we are seeking to live in some small de-
gree of comfort. We have one of the most re-
lentless corporations on the face of the earth
grasping us by the throat, trying to crush us
under foot. II we raise our lowly heads and
ask Tor bread, and are promised bread, We
celye a stone. If we demand our paid protect
ors to shield US with the @gis Of the law we
are lnsultingly told to protect ourselves. We
are blandly received with one hand and cruelty
stabbed in the back with the other. We ask
for no favors; we only demand our rights under
the law. III an individual did what this railroad
company has done, and continues to do. he
would be in prison long ago. Let justice be
done fairly to all. Let the law be faithfully
enforced without favor and without prejudice.
y. III. SHEA,
Chm Cit. Protect. Assn, 8. W.,
f. ID. DoNNELLY,
J. HARRISON JOHNSON, ct al