The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-31
50 CITY provements,n


through the columns of the Union, in the welfare of our
city, induces ask place for the following obser
vatons supenduced by the remarks over the signature
of "H."
The certainty of the completion of the canal to Cum
land within specified time, to have called the
tentiOn of portion Of citizens the necessity of
some action the part of the corporate authorities of
Washington by which this city shall reap its legitimate
share OF the benefits which must arise from the extern
OF communications inland TO the point above
ferred to.
The views expressed over the signature of H" are
correct but general Their character and far too linn
tied to accomplish what deem the immediate object to
be-that of awakening citizens 10 the necessity of
prompt vigorous, and harmonious action, both on the
part OF city authorities and the public generally 1t is
subject in which all who have the advancement OF our
city at heart, should take deep interest The natural
advantages of Washington. with the assistance of but
small portion OF the public spirit which daily exhibit
ed in other portions OF country, must and will absorb
the principal portion OF the heavy business with the in
terror, while neghborng cities of Georgetown and
Alexandria will have more than sufficient to occupy fully
every inch of ground within their boundaries applicable
to mercantile pursuits. With every effort toward the
completion Of this canal the public eye. both at home
and abroad has nvountary turned towards the Eastern
Branch as the principal depot for tins trade
have observed frequent efforts, both in the council
and board OF aldermen tending to an investigation of
these matters generally which appear to find local OPP
position, that IS to uDaccounabe. The only infer
ence to be drawn is, that it arises from pirate in
erest and jeaousy-not the part of our neighbors
of Georgetown and Alexandria, who too liberal
and enlightened to entertain such limited ideas, but
from members OF our own community, whose dispo-
sition be she any action whereby the adj
vanages of our city may, in an official form, be laid
before citizens 1t is unquesOnably the duty OF
our city government to take the initiative IN this mat
ter and then appeal for support both TO Congress and the
citizens. Unless application be made TO Congress
from responsible source. how expect any aid there
from The matter might be adjusted to meet the
views of the Executive, while the best interests of the
city would be materially advanced But, for one,
would leave Congress out of the question The amount
of expenditure required 10 place proper footing the
Improvements already made, with the contemplated lateral
canal eerred your remarks of the oath inst is
small that, when weighed in the balance, it cannot and
should not for moment be taken into consideration.
Can it be possible that, after the expenditure of
than million of dollars there can be objection adj
dtiona outlay OF $4,000 or $50 00O without which
the debt heretofore contracted acts like cancer on the
body polite, destroying Its vals, when this additional
is great difference between parsmony and judicious
economy While protest against any experimental ex-
pendture, would strongly advocate the completion
of that which easily demonstrated TO be called for
by every consideration OF sound policy and wisdom.
There may be urged the objection of any increase of
the public deb-of the heavy burdens now bearing upon
that section OF the city lying south of Virginia avenue,
the assessment upon which scarce pays the expense of
collecting the almost nominal tax levied thereon the
creased Ualaion of tDch would not only pay the inter-
est on the required, but go far towards essenng
the present heavy demands upon property holders. 1t
must not be supposed that the capital now invested in the
the contrary the profits upon its present uses will be
greater and the surplus capital OF the northern cities will
seek investment the various branches OF pursuits
which necessarily follows the extension of navigation
which the immense increase of our imports and exports
will call or-thus increasing creating taxable capital
to such extent will in reasonable time, obliterate
| the debt, now the cause OF so much complaint
tits rendered certainty, that the spring of 1s49 will
see the opening of the canal 10 Cumberland. Ii is the
determination of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany make such arrangements as shall i possible, d.
vert the current OF trade their road to Baltimore In
view of this they have authorized the construction OF
branch their road to terminate on the basin OF Baltimore,
hoping to foesall any action on the part OF this District
There has been uniform and determined opposition on
the part of that company and the citizens OF Baltimore to
any further prosecution of the Cumberland canal The
vigorous this opposition and this manifest anxiety
their part is OF ITSELF conclusive evidence that the Po
tomac is the natural outlet and must assuredy become
SUCH if no tsghted and suicidal policy be pursued
by us or what is more destructive, continuance of
the present deadly apathy be allowed to prevail To pre-
vent this let the city councils appoint committee, intel
gen and free from all prejudice, to examine the subject
in all its bearings and then report definitely the addi
tiona improvements required with the cost thereof Let
statistics be gathered of the amount OF coal and iron
which will seek outlet through this channel Let
them include the heavy goods which, transported more
cheapy by water than land carriage, will seek this great
artery as the means by which reach their destination
in the interiors ascertain the probable number OF vessels
be thus received with the number OF canal boats neces-
sary to freight such from Cumberland to Underwater Let
their statements be substantaed by such conclusive EVIL
dence (Which may be done) will carry conviction to
the minds of all that time is to be lost, we would
gather the harvest rlpenng TO our hand that the
'penny wise and pound foolish principle which has SO
long prevailed with city authorities, Is misplaced and
| to be submitted to no longer.
If ANYTHING is to be DONE it must be within the coming
year; and hope to see some immediate movement on the
part OF city fathers based upon those liberal and en-
laged views which the Importance of the subject de-
mands and which will so vitality affect the future pros
l perlty OF our city. IT,
OFFICIAL.