The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-19
WASHINGTON CHIT.CHAT.
Comments on The Positions Of Mr.. Blaine
and Premier Rudini.
CONFEDERATION FOR THE SECRETARY.
The Federal Capital atiNIGht-Mischievou
Law of Which Ben Butler Is the Au-
thor-A Noble Dog.


WASHINGTON, IL. u, ApIli, 10 w hiAN wv
setary Blaine's latest paper on the Itallan
imbroglo is generally commended, nothing
but contempt is EXP Pssed for Rudini and his
Italian advisers. When the contention hrst
arose there were many who felt really appre-
hensiye because the Italian Government had
ndoptod what seemed to be determined and
aggressive policy T4E TINES correspondent,
getting his cue from DO less a parsonage than
Secretary Blaine, tclegraphed that Rudni's
threats were all bluff and buster. designed to
influence Italian politics. The result has
shown that this was prophecy; that
S,ecretarv Blaine at the very outset thor
onghly understood and appreciated the stun
ton. He gagged the Italian character for Just
what II is Now the opinion Indicated by
Secretary Blaine has been almost universally
adopted by the American people. They sim
ply laugh at Italy's threats. and regard them
is idle vaporings. Rarely in the history Of
diplomatic controversies has contention
which began with such pOrtentous aspect so
soon dwindled 10 q common laughing STOCK.
THE WASHINGTON GIRL.
The Washington girl is out in full spring
rig. and she looks very sweet though some
what masculine. so far rs attire goes. They
have encroached upon mems apparel until
q journalistic wag remarked: Ihey nave
only left us our suspenders.
During these pleasant sunny afternoons
PENNSYLVANIA avenue Is thronged with the
pretty girls in showing spring costumes. The
rich as well as the poor delight III these
promenades. a. they afford n much better OPP
portunity to display new trocks and bon
or even an open cart. Naturally, the beaux
and dudes are out to the spring
girls. Along theavenue are several handsomely
fitted up candy shops, winch are faVorte
rendezvous of the young people OF opposite
sexes If chap II smltten with lovely glrl
he prOmenades the avenue until he meets his
lady love, and they repair 70 one Of these
candy shops. The proprietOrs of these shops,
taking advantage of the character Of their
trade and approaching the fact that 1t is un-
derstood that lady appreciates gift IN pro
portion 10 its cost. charge double and treble
prices for their candies and bon-bons.
NIGHT scrNEs IN THE CAPITAL.
The stroller about Washington at night
will encounter many different phases OF ma
ture For instance. where Louisiana avenue
approaches Pennsylvania avenue at Seventh
street there Is paved reservation about the
size of an ordinary square called Market
Space One portion of it is set apart as a
public hack stand. The Space IL ornamented
with very fine and costly marble drinking
fountain presented TO the city - Cogsweu. of
California. whose object IN the investment was
t. aid the temperance cause by atfOrdlng an
iIuint ana FthuN supply u hilIhliE NdA'ls
COgswell's object has been defeated by the par
fimoniOusness of the District commissioners,
who have steadily refused to supply ice for
the fountain. Their pretext is that when the
fountain Is running II is made unsightly and
unceanlv by persons throwing the water left
in the cups after drinking in every direction.
and also by loafers hanging upon the steps
and supporting themselves against the marble
pillars. Several steps ascend 20 thefountain in
the centre. from which four Jets are designed
TO emit cool and sparkling water. OF course
il would be easy for the District commission
ers to require the policeman on that beat 10
drive away loafers and 10 caution persons to
empty water into the sewer trap provided for
that purpose. But to avoid the tritllng eX-
pense of supplying ice the commissioners fall
back upon "a pretext so iilmsy that child can
see through IT.
But the description of the fountain Is q di-
gression tending 10 afford an insight into the
system Of local government here which was
established by the Republicans for the eX-
press purpose of Kidding the Federal capital
OF negro suffrage.
This Market Space is the regular resort Of
the Salvation Army. There its outdoor
meetings are held. and only the other night,
while the SalvatiOnists We're singing and pray
ing within thirty PAGES of them, fakr was
appealing TO u motley crowd with rlbald
lests and coarse wit that approached
blasphemy. Close by q group of half
drunken men INDUCED in loud discussion
profusely intermingled with oaths. while on
the curbstOne stood an old man handing sin
gle leaves of the Bible 10 passers-by, accom-
panied by a constant but interminable ha-
rangue. But IL is not until later hour of
night or rather the earlier hours of the mOrn-
ing. that the vicious elements make their
disgraceful exhibitions, which are regu-
larry ignored by the people. There Is n
large district immediately south of
Pennsylvania avenue which is absolutely
surrendered TO vice and its Victories. The
District commissioners IN spasm OF assumed
virtue closed up the all-night eating houses,
thus depriving the night workman, printers.
newspaper men and others, of the privilege
of visiting al orderly place for a lunch and
glass of beer after midnight. II Is a notori-
Gus fact that in this depraved part of the city
the laws are constantly violated and defed
Liquor is sold without license and re-
freshments are served despite the
edict of the local rulers As a
consequence, many who would pa,ronze such
orderly all-night houses as We're recently per-
mitted 10 conduct business visit the lawless
district 10 procure a lunch. In this way the
authorities directly contribute TO the profit Of
the worst elements and drive men 10 tempta-
ton.
PoLICH TYRANNY.
After midnight disorderly crowds emerge
from these portions, and invading reputable
portions of the city. continue their carOusals
While the police are strangely obhvious to
the misconduct of these classes. they are ex-
Ceedingly vgilant in running down reputable
men who may be guilty of slight lapse.
For instance, not many nights ago q
party consisting of eight gentlemen.
four of whom were residents Of the
city, and the other four visitors wero walking
down Pennsylvania avenue ut 3 A. NJ The
residents had been entertaining their visiting
friends AT apopulaT club, and set out TO escort
the strangers 10 their hotel. In crossing
street one of the gentlemen struck his foot
against the curblng, and thOughtessly uttered
a big D. From window recess rushed
two policemen. and they seized tho mildly
profane man with as much rudeness rs If he
were u malefactor.
Il arrest you." exclaimed one Of the police
officers.
What fory" demanded the astounded gen.
tleman.
For profanity" was the reply, and despite
all circumstances. explanations and apologies
that gentleman was rudely pushed. actually
pushed 10 the statiOn-hOuSe, a policeman
holding each of his arms. At the station
charge OF profanity was filed against
him. Ho aud his friends who had
followed rendered bail or what is
known in police ,parlance as forfeit" in
any reasonable amount. The otter was
roughly rejected. and when one Of the party
asked, Is profanity SO heinous an ofense
that lail cannot be taken" the policeman
insulungly replied, You lay low, or III run
you In"
The gentleman who had been guilty Of pro-