Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-17

The proof Of the pudding is in the eating,
and the virtues of new District Commissioners
can be fully appreciated only from the obser-
walton of what they do officially when put to
the test. But the Districts prospects under it's
new municipal officers are in the highest degree
encouraging. The President has performed his
duty Of appointment with thoughtful and wise
discrimination, and the great body of District
citizens, including those who have favored
other candidates for these Offices are satisfied
that their interests have been intrusted to hon
est, capable and safe men, and are pleased both
at the fact that the long controversy over the
matter has come to an end and at the manner
in which il has ended.
The first specific requirement of model Dis
triet Commissioners after that of the possession
OF honesty and general capacity is identified
ton with the District and its interests, and this
requirement is fairly met by the new ap-
pointees. Both have resided for many years
in this city. and concerning neither of them
can it be said that he is District citizen for
office only. Mr.. Hine has been prominent in
local affairs, has a wide circle of acquaintance
and is intimately acquainted with the needs of
the District. Mr.. Douglass has not been so
active in local concerns and his circle of local
acquaintance is narrower, but all his interests
The second requirement upon which stress
has been laid is that in the appointment of
Commissioners the prospect of fair treatment
in the matter of Improvements and protection
of local interests should be given to all the sec
tons of the city. Both of the new Commits
sioners indicate that their policy will be to adj
vance the city as a whole, and not be one of
narrow, sectional discrimination Mr.. Douglass
resides in the western section of the city. Mr..
Hine has lived in South Washington, and now
has his home outside of the city limits, in the
eastern section of the District Ability
as speakers to present the Districts
needs to committees of Congress has also
been specified as requirement. Both
Of the new Commissioners as lawyers are trained
speakers. Both are men of pleasing manners
and address. Attention has been called to the
Importance of preventing the use of the Dis
hiet government as a mere political machine
The fact that extreme partisans ON both Sides
while concedlng the personal fitness of the new
commissioners from their respective parties
are inclinefto complain that they have not
been active politically, and are not prominent
representatives of the two parties in Washing
ton. gives promise of an administration which
Will put District interests before partisan inter
ests, and which will be in position to present
the needs of the District without political en-
barrassment to the representatives of both par
ties in Congress.
Perhaps no Commissioners ever entered upon
their official duties with better opportunities to
win or confirm the respect and regard of the
people OF the District. The administration of
their immediate predecessors will furnish an
admirable background, showing to full adyan-
tage every wise and vigorous act for the public
welfare upon which they may determine. The
opportunity is open to them of being courteous
and considerable in manner. without lacking
backbone in time of action; of knowing what is
done In the departments under their charge and
not merely OF refraining from personal wrong
doing, but of discovering and correcting the
wrong-doing Of subordinates Not only may
they earn the gratitude of the people of the
capital by intelligent and energetic efforts TO
correct, by securing new legislation. some of
the evils under which it labors or to advance
its general interests; but in contrast with the |
weakness, the inefhciency, and the active faults
OF their predecessors, they can make their ad- |
ministration notable merely by strict enforce !
ment OF existing law,-against corporations as |
against individuals and against the wealthy as |
against the poor and uninhuential,- land by inn |
Partiality between the sections and between
connlctlng interests or cllques.
The strong arm of fearless bystander was all
that saved two ladies and an infant from a ter
rible adventure, possibly from the loss of their
hves, last evening, at the railroad ing at
Virginia avenue and A. street southwest The
ladies and child were in a buggy, and were
driving straight toward the narrow passage be-
tween two stationary cars, which is the only
thoroughfare vouchsafed to the public at that
point.by the gracious condescension of the
pennsylvania railroad company. The flag
man had neglected TO hang out his Ian
terms, or to close the gates, although train
hidden from the approaching party by the wall
OF rolling-stock erected by the company in the
midst Of the city highway was almost at the
crossing. The first warning was the sudden
descent Of one Of the gates at the instant the
horse reached it, scraping his face and fright
ening him SO that he wheeled and bolted A
crowd in the neighborhood came to the rescue.
but in vain; and desperate peril threatened the
occupants Of the buggy when a muscular eiti-
zen succeeded in grasping the horse by the
bride and striking him a blow on the head.
which stunned him and knocked him down.
Fortunately, nobody was hurt except the horse
and he Is powerless to sue the railroad COM
pany for damages. But the idea that such an
affair can occur in the very heart of populous
city, and that the corporation which is respon-
sible for it, after sppropriating the ground
from under the peoples feet, has not grace
enough to provide ordinary defences for its
victims, Is rather startling one to believers in
the nineteenth century an age of progress
and In the capital city of the American re-
public as a model municipality.
There is nothing astonishing in the resultrof
the election IN Montana. That territory has
always had democratic leanings The demo-
cratic delegate, Toole, never had to work hard
for his place. The mistake which the local