Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-20
COMMENTS ON THE VERDICT,
What Newspapers Say Of the Jury's De-
cisiOD.

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What Newspapers Say of the Jury's De
cisioD.
The New York Tribune today .ays: The jury
have presented a satisfactory verdict. tn,
facts they had to deal with were simple and
easily ascertained, and only one conclusion
seemed possible. The coroner and
the jury have done their duty. 1t now remain.
for the criminal courts to deal with the case
An interesting side issue is the question whethe,
Col. Ainsworth will be allowed to retain his
place at the head of the record and pension d.
vision while this grave cLai &c is hanging owe,
him.
SOMETHING BACK OF 1T.
The Philadelphia Inquirer SAYS: While The
immediate responsibility may be fixed it should
not be forgotten that back of all else lis the
policy of the cheeseparers in Congress-the men
Wfo object 10 necessary expenditures and VITO
have refused to provide suitable quarters for
the clerks forced out of overcrowded depart
ments.
These people certainly cannot expect to
escape blame.
FAIR SHOW For COZ. AINswoRrH.
The Philadelphia Times: Col. Ainswortn is
entitled to justice; to full justice: but he is not
to be judged by the inlamed ebullitions of n
mob. II The enforcement of Justice shall con-
denim him he should be condemned and suffer.
IL Il shall acqUit him be should stand ACQUITTED
before the countrv and The world. Above ali
be should not be condemned because he has
beer Just to the government and sought to
make others so. That he has revoiutionized the
Incidence and worthlessness that obtain in
some of the government departments, and es-
peciallv in the PENSION branch, is not disputed
and for that offense. and that offense alone he
has been in disfavor with government employees
under his direction. *-s With all these ad-
mi'ab.e qualities Col. Answorth could not be
excused II the terrible disaster in the Fords
1heater was the result OF neglect on his rart:
but he should not be unjcstly accused because
he Is hated for his fidelity 70 public duty.
THE Governments cULPABiLfrY.
The Baltimore american:
Those who have followed without preiutl,ce
the testimony in this lamenia table case will con-
eede the business o. the verdict. The pro-
priciies would scarcely have been violated had
the arrangement. placed the government first
instead of last liz the cairahlc list The direct
cause CT the catastrophe was the gross neglect
OF those Immediately in charge OF the eycavn-
tioa which WAS being made under the building
NJ the time OF the collapse. bat sucn incompetent
persons would not have been in charge had
the government done its duty. Col.
Ansvor:h will probably receive more than
his fair share OF the blame because OF the
prejudice which disclosure of tie re-
lat,ons between him and his suborainstes
has created. bat il mus. be conceded that
had nc taken rs great pains 20 protect the lives
OF has clerks Is be did to enforce the disciple
har:' ru.es against them. more than n score
VINO are now under the soi; would be alive ana
IN The service Of the country. The superin-
endcnt and the engineer displayed equal dis
regard of the safety of the employees. and for
the contractor there can be no excuse whatever
Is he cannot even plead extenuating circum-
stances. - the Others probably viii. he. from
he nature of his occupation. being aware of ]
ne nerIl IN which lie laced Sc many human !
ives. But lad the government long ago |
'hown proper consideration for its emnloyes /
hey would not have been housed in an unsafe |
md unhealthy building
THE QUESTION OF Personal RESPONSIBILITY.
The Baltimore Sen: without undertaking to |
determine the guilt or innocence Of the per-
ons mentioned in the verdict of the coroner's /
ury. 1t Is a subject for congratulation that the /
lnestlon OF personal responsibility should be |
harply defined in such cases as these and /
,rought to the final test of judicial investiga-
ION There have been too many aisa STEERS OF |
his kind in which the public has been satisfied
With the easy verdict that nobody was to blame.
DRAa-HEr PROCESS.
The New York World:
The finding OF the coroner's jury at WASH
nGton holds Col. Ainsworth, Contractor Dant.
uperintendent Covert and Engineer Sasse
ui;y of criminal negligence in the Ford's The
Ter disaster Some ono ought to be held re-
ponsibie. aud this draSnet process was proba-
~ adopted to catch the right man.
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