The Washington critic., 1890-02-24
PTBLIC OPINION.

There is no surer safeguard of hon
esty in the administration of public
affairs than an enlightened public
opinion, which is now alert and ready
TO hestow, according TO the facts in the
case. either, condemnation or approval.
Nothing more firmly sustains an ad-
miDistratve official in the lust and
conscientious discharge of duty than
the assurance of popular support; and,
in like manner, nothing so affects Il
corrupt and unfaithful public servant
with feelirg of disquietude and dread
as the sense of widespread dissatisfac-
iion and general censure in regard to
his course of action.
AS vigilance is the price of liberty so
il may be said with equal truth that an
aggressive, self-assertive public senti-
ment is the condition of good admins
tration in free community Where
the conscience of the people slumbers
injustice grows bold and public wrongs
are committed with impunity. Where
public spirit decays and dies govern
mcnt becomes corrupt. and where public
opinion keeps itself in allegiance or lies
dormant bad principles and methods
Will prevail in the management of public
affairs.
1t is sometimes alleged that there is
in the District of Columbia nothing
which is properly entitled to be called
puhlio Opinion ,n1occ - ko 1,,,o.,oa,.,,l I
contemporary, the journal of that
name. BY this it is not meant that
there are no individual opinions on
Iublic questions. Just the contrary is
tue, and they exist in very great abund,
aucc; because the average of intelli-
aeLce in this city is greater than that
'f any other city in the country. For
IN reason almost every citizen is fitted
to T. I'm an opinion, and he forms it,
too, with knowledge and Judgment.
What is claimed is that these abound
II g individual opinions lack cohesion
and cannot be readily or effectively
massed that there are no means of as
certaining their consensus, and that,
even if it were ascertained, there is no
organized mode of giving it expression.
Elsewhere public opinion finds force
full expression in the various elections
through which municipal and State
officers are chosen. But, on account of
the anomalous character of our Govern
ment, that mode is not available here.
What should be done, then, toarouse
the attention of the citizens of Wash
lnSton to matters in which they have a
common interest, and how can this
agreement of opinion be given united,
adequate and effective eXpressionY
The success which has attended mauy
of the efforts of the Committee of 1907
and its nine sub committees in the sew
eral districts of the city, shows what
may be done by voluntary associations
of citizens. Through their activity and
zeal the schools were saved from mis-.
management and the present admirable
system established. In various ways
their influence has been felt in procur.
ing municipal reforms, and the ready
access which their delegated represen.
tatiyes have had to the Congressional
District Committees presents an un-
official method by which expression
may be given to the wishes or griev-
ances of the people.
The main grievance of the city at
the present time is the unjust system Of
assessment in vogue. 1t is unfair to all
classes, and should give place to an
adequate and impartial plan This is
n matter which the Committee Of
100" and the several District associa-
tons should take up at once and push
vigorously to speedy conclusion. If
they do not the people will have to as