Evening star., 1898-02-10
MIR. RALsTON CORRECTED.
Mr. Campbell Asserts the Accuracy of
The Stars Report.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
1t is desirable in the interest Of accuracy
to correct the correction OF Mr. J. H. Rail
ston, published in The Star of YESTERDAY
The proceedings before the Prince Georges
delegation at Annapolis, February & relat-
ing to the measure for water works in
Hyattsville, written briefly as an under
standing of them will permit. were substan-
TALLY as follows, viz: The spokesman for
the measure related to the delegation the
circumstances of the presentation of the
measure, and finished by stating that he
was advised that 1t was the custom of the
city authorities in Baltimore. when the is
sue of bonds therefor involved an increase
IN taxes to submit the question of issue
OF not to the voters. but when there was no
increase no vote was had because IL was
unnecessary, both under the law and the
custom. The spokesman then again direct
ed the attention of the delegation to the fact
that the Hyattsville measure specificaIIv
prohibited an increase i'm the town charter
tax rate of 40 cents on the Slo0 and closed
py statihg TO the delegation that the advo-
Gates or the measure offered additional sec
tions to the proposed bill providing for the
submission of the question of the issue OF
ponds or not to the voters If the offer
would relieve the delegation of responsibili-
ty ana absolve them from the appearance
even of taking sides one way or the other
In the local matter. Here the Spokesman
rested Mr.. j. III. Ralston then advanced
reaa the context OF the opposition petition
and two, II not three, names from the peti-
ton, and letter in opposition to the meas
ure, and proceeded in argument to opposa
the measure, stating that Hyattsville cam
not afford water works, that the data upon
which the estimate of the cost of the works
was based is indefinite and that the current
expenses Of the works and the town couIn
not be met by the charter rate, and that.
a d h.a l.sn
AN increase in the charter tax rate for
those purposes, he predicted that the
friends of the measure will be compelled 10
ask of the next legislature an Increase ,n
the rate of taxation.
Here he closed without having referred
10 the oner to submit. Thereupon the
spokesman for the measure rejoined say
ing to the delegation that he did not COM
Prehend in detail Mr.. Ralston's argument,
that he only felt sure of this; that IL ap-
Peared to him that Mr. Ralston was op-
posed to water works for Hyattsville; that
Ii seer1ed to him that Mr.. Ralston and the
opposition wished to kill the measure"
and apparently that Mr. Ralston would not
even &C mmit himself to the offer of the
advocates of the measure to submit it
to a vote. At this point Mr. Ralston
quickly interrupted the speaker saving
That he was not opposed to its submission
to vote; the spokesman retorted that it's
advocates made the offer the opening
OF the case; that the context of the petit
tion did not request vote; that Mr. Rail
ston made no reference to the offer in his
olposltion argument, and not until the
Spokesman fer the measure directed the
attention of those present to the fact that
apparently Mr.. Ralston did not wish the
vote, did Mr.. Ralston say that he was not
opposed to submit it. Here Mr. Claggett
of the dele cation excused himself for in-
terrupting the spokesman, saying that the
delegates would introduce the proposed
bill, and that after its passage the voters
could decide for water works or not, and
the formal discussion ended. The delega-
ton We're polite. courteous and attentive.
The offer to submit to a vote was made
tc the delegation, and it was for them
to accept or reject, and not for Mr. Raj
ston. The spokesman thought, however,
that Mr.. Ralston would express his ap-
proval of the offer upon its announcement,
or, at least, soon thereafter as he could
be heard, and not proceed to make an
gument in opposition to the measure, and
then wait to be committed to the offer by
the advocates of the measure, calling at
tention to his failure, omission, or over
sight in not referring to IL.
comparison of the reports of The Stai
and Mr.. Ralston with what actually oc,
Cured will disclose. 1t is submitted that
The Stars report was not very far from
being correct" to quote from Mr. Ralstons
card. LEVIN III. CAMPBELL.
February 10. 1898.
FoXey-"Did you send the Borems a card