Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-06
RANKINGS.
"He rambles In his walks,
And likewise In his tAlks."

"He rambes In his walks,
And likewise In his taaka"
Old Song
Why do the police authorities and the Dis
| trict Commissioners allow themselves to be
constantly placed in . false position in the
matter Of refusing to approve applications or
grant licenses TO sell liquor? Whenever an ap-
plicant for one fails to get it he raises no end
of racket about it, and strsightway, personally
| or by attorney, makes or tries to make 1t ap-
pear that the reasons assigned for the refusal
are insufficient and that, therefore, q great
outrage upon the community has been perpe-
trated. Now this is all wrong. Why be
placed in the illogical attitude of giving any
reason at all for NOT doing thing like this?
What the liquor seller wants is not his by
right II Supreme Court opinions count for any
thing. That which he demands 10 q fduor. II
the applicant can furnish sufficient reasons
why he should have a license. that is one
| thing. II he cannot that is quite another
thing. In the latter case all the officials need
to do is to simply but firmly say no. and let the
matter rest there.
Art lovers-and that term may now be con-
| strued to mean pretty much everybody-will
be pleased to hear that the Corcoran Gallery is
to be open free to the public on the evenings Of
Friday the 10Th and 26th instant. and probably
each Friday evening during the winter, If the
attendance seems to justify the trouble and ex-
pense incident to night openings.
When, few years ago, TIE STAR persistently
maintained that travellers between Washington
and New York were entitled to and should have
"a fve-dollar fare and a hve-hour train," peo-
pie generally thought the demand a very ex-
travagant one, and didn't believe 30 desirable a
condition Of things would ever be realized.
But the public is now in the full enjoyment Of
both. thanks, partly, to the direct efforts OF the
press, and partly to competition, which also
came about largely through the agitation of the
subject by the newspapers. The Baltimore and
Ohio road is regularly running its ''royal blue
hne cars between the political and CONNER
clal capitals OF the country on q hve-hour
schedule, and with no extra charge for quick
time, unless passengers desire such advantages
as drawing room car are supposed to fur
nish; and even in that case the cost il little
over half what 1t used to be. But even this
additional expense ia scarcely necessary, since
each OF the cars on these trains is provided
with smoking and wash rooms. and such other
comforts and conveniences as usually 20 with
Pullman outfit. Verify, as one Signor Calico
is said to have observed 'the world does move ~
And it may be added that the press is quite a
lever in the moving business
The Philadelphia custom Of munching cara
mels on the streets seems to be making head
way among Washington bellies Of q certain type.
Better no candy stores than such bad-mannered
disregard for good taste and lady-like demeanor.
How far an artist has the right to repeat him
self,-that is, after picture has been painted
for one customer to make duplicate of it for
another, or for open markets. a question
upon which different opinions are held OF
course, he has the legal right to do SO, unless
the purchaser exacts an express stipulation
againstit. Morally, however he has not the right
to make replica of any painting he has once
sold, except with the consent Of the owner; and
the artist who is in the habit Of offending in
this respect will soon find himself losing caste
among the more honorable members of his own
guild, as well as with picture BUYERS. A case of
the sort which called out a good deal of unfa.
voraDle comment was presented at late loan
exhibition in the Union League Club in New
York, where, to the surprise of not few Of
those present, there were shown, as the prop.
erty of gentlemen in that city, the original
study and also an almost exact reproduction of
Mr.. Boughton' swell-known painting 1.-The Edict
OF William the Testy," belonging to the Corco-
ran Gallery in this city. As rule, reputable
studies and sketches, and few now DAYS will
furnish replicas Of important works they have
produced, since to do so argues want of origi-
nality and an undue desire for money getting;
and that one should do both was hardly to be
expected Of a gentleman occupying so high
position professionally as Mr.. Boughton does
both In this country and England.
4 \
Unfortunately for the Gallery, Mr.. Boughton
is not the only nor the greatest offender in
this respect. "Fun and Fright" one Of its
most popular genre pictures, has been repeated
twice, If not oftener, by the artist; and if Mr..
Richards has not exactly reproduced his fine
Jersey Coast, he has in some instances come
30 near it as to detract somewhat from the in
terest Of the original Its market value might
also be affected, il offered for sale, but since
the Gallery buys to keep, and not to sell again,
that point may never be raised. However to
guard against further experiences of this char
acter. the Gallery has adopted and now adheres
artist without receiving from him a written
guarantee that 1t shall not be repeated.
One would naturally suppose that after tho
electric light got fairly under way in Washing
ton the natural competition between that sys-
tenn and the old gas company would secure to
the public better night illuminating service
than it formerly had, or, any way, that each
would do the best 1t could, 20 as to deserve the
greatest possible patronage. Nothing of the
sort has happened, however. On the contrary,
1t would seem that feeling reasonably secure
against further opposition, the two organiza-
tons have formed an alliance ON the basis of
giving the least and getting the most it can,
and letting the public be where the late Mr..
Vanderbilt consigned it. There may not be an
actual compact, signed sealed and delivered,
between them; but it looks that waya and IL
there were, the town could hardly be worse Oh
in the matter of lights, however the same NAV
be produced. II any place In the country com.
pares unfavorably with Washington in this re-
spect, that place IL surely to be pitied. Certain