The Washington critic., 1888-04-19
RICHARD H. SYLVESTER. .... Editor
WASHINGTON, APRIL 10, 1883.
4 crnrAtN LorrlNrss of bearing was

characteristic OF MT. COnkllnH, WHICH
by many was considered Indicative of
arrogance or haughtiness Of spirit, but
in point of fact no gentler heart ever
beat in mans breast, and whoever
came into his presence with friendly
intent never found him failing in that
genuine courtesy which has its foun-
daiion in kindness, lie had many con-
ficts during his public life, but not
one in which he was the aggressor.
Those nearest TO him knew that his
life was pure, and their unwavering
faith in him was sufficient answer to
The calumnies which malicious and
onvious minds invented and circu-
lated against him. lie retired from
an honored public career while
in the zenith of his fame, be-
cause combinations had been
made against him with which he had
no desire longer to contend. He was
made to appear as seeking return to
the seat in the Senate he had left,
when in fact he unwillingly allowed
his friends to have their way, through
gratitude for their previous devotion
TO his political fortunes. In his re-
tirement he never made a sign Of dis
content, never uttered a word of ex-
planation for what seemed TO many a
political suicide. He simply said that
his lips were closed by the death of
Garfield. He endured misrepresen-
iations in silence, and pursued the
even tenor of his way while the din
Of parties and of factions roared
around him. The Republican leaders
who engineered his retirement in 1881
made sad work for their party; and
his absence from its counsels in 1884
undoubtedly caused its defeat in the
Presidential contest of that year.
THE BILL PREPARED by the District
Commissioners for the improvement
of Rock Creek, by strengthening its
through system of tunnels, is one
Of the most meritorious measures of {
local character that has ever beer
submitted to Congress. Its ad
vantages are so obvious and numerous
and its engineering feasibility so wei
demonstrated that we trust there viii
be no delay in securing to the bill
early and favorable action.
NINE. DIss DE BAR should visit tn,
United States Senate about now ant
materialize the spirit of Eliza Pink
ston. The spirit is there.
TIE PRESIDENT HAS vetoed the bill
for the relief of Major d. N. Bash
the army paymastef; who was robbed
of $1,000 in March, 1887, while on hi
way to Fort Mckinney, Wyoming
Territory, The court of inquiry il
this case found that Major Bash wa
guilty of carelessness, but in the opin
ion of number of prominent army
officers, including Generals Sheridan
Crook and Terry, after careful in
vestigation of the circumstances, il
was not such gross or criminal care
lessness MS to debar the paymas
ter from relief by the Govern
ment The President thinks other
wise, and intimates in so many word:
that the grounds upon which reliet
is asked are slight and sentimental, ,
and that army officers are too ready tC
join in applications for the condona,
ton of such offenses. With due def
erence to the Presidents right OF
Judgment in this matter, we very
much question the good taste of this
reflection upon the service. 1t Ger
tainly does not strengthen his posi-.
iion, and we might add that the peo,
pie at large will be slow to believe
that men like Sheridan or Crook could
be influenced in any question of mill
tary discipline by Slight or senti
mental" considerations.
SENATOR SHERMAN said yesterday
that he would hold in contempt any
man who dared assert that Ruthar