Evening star., 1897-04-16
REMARKS BY MR.. A. M. CLAPP.
He Jumps on The Star With Both
Feet.

He Jumps on The Star With Both
Feet.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Sir: I was somewhat surprised last even
ing to discover that you had to use a COM
mon phrase of the period jumped into me
with both feet and witt thout provocation be-
cause 1 had ventured to express my views
to reporter on the, appointment of Mr..
John B. Wight as republican member of
the Board of Commissioners of the District
of Columbia. Perhaps 1t was indiscreet in
me to have any pronounced views. or to
give them publicity. without saying to the
Star-''by your leave.
But let US see the gravity of my offence
1t Is alleged in yesterday mornings Post. 1t
was alleged by that paper that there had
been a meeting Of the Executive Committee
or the National Union Republican Club
which is no doubt correct, and several gen.
tlemen, fingered and were in conversation
on the subject of Mr. Wights appointment
as the republican Commissioner The Post
whose reporter was present says-"sfr.
Clapp said IF Mr.. Wight Is not q true re-
publican we not see why he should be hon
ored with the appointment of District Com
missioner. l have the highest regard for
him personally. Mr.. Clapp said the ap-
pointment had reused considerable opposi-
ton on the score of doubtfulness of Mr..
Wights republicanism." This Is the sum
of all l said on the subject that evening.
The Star, who l am confident had no re-
porter there, and who made up garbled
statement. by cribbing from the enterprise
of the Post. and makes that the subject of
the following TRADE. "Mr. Clapp and seven
others blocked the way, they say. that not
withstanding MIR. Wight would make an
honest capable and unexceptfonable Com
missioner, they cannot permit his con-
firmation unless he can prove himself
stalwart republican and can answer salts
factorily q string of questions headed by
the absurd inquiry to a voteiess Citizen
have you ever voted republican ticket.
This report is a distressing situation, and
threatens unless Mr. Clapp and his seven
associates relent, to become 'tntolerable.'
will not they consent to let up on their
cinch on the other two hundred and ninety
nine thousand minety-two people Of the
District, and allow the wheels Of the Dis
trict government to revolve again.
This piece of SenSeless gush is the fig
ment of a disordered brain. and has no
foundation in fact, far as am concern
ed, and 1 seem to be in the excited mind of
the Star, the head and front of all this Of
Tending. The Star, in its venerable age,
ought to have a higher sense of self re-
spect, and of friendly regard for the COM
mon courtesies Of neighborhood relation,
than to unsheath its weapon upon one who
has enjoyed the reading of that journal for
some thirty years and steadily contributed
to its wealth and power, and perhaps OF
the annoyance which it is now exercising
on the head of an old friend under the
of spleen.
Come, now correct your misrepresenta-
tions, cease to bear false witness against
your neighbor and turn the trend of your
journalistic power in hne with the interests
Of a neonle who have been despoiled of the
most sacred right of an American citizen
and help those who pay taxes and sustain
an Impoverished citizenship under local
government only fit for slaves-and help
them to a new policy that will emancipate
them from a thraldomf where the rich are
made richer, and she poor poorer, under the
inevitable force of circumstances, DO thfs.
blessed it is notEtoo late to reform: Cease
to do evil and learn to do well, and let your
last days be your best days. Observe JUS
tima+e acnuaintances with the elements
Of truth. and then the sphere of your in
fiuence and power win be enlarged. your
friend, a m' SA<AHI'