The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-22
For the Union.
City Improvement t..

City Improv ements.
Much has been recently said and well said in the col
of your paper in reference to the importance of prep
araon for the business OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
and TO the oth OF the corporate authorities of Washington
in taking measures to the interests of those
they represent, in the unreasonable trade which the COM
pleuon OF that work TO Cumberland will open the peo
pie OF this CITY, Whatever be the result of your efforts
to awaken our municipal authorities to proper sense of
the responsibilities which rest upon them in these
ers is credltable to your sagaclty and your
public spirit as citizens, that your columns have been
freely given TO this most interesting subject is
excuse for drowsy Mayor, Aldermen, and Council
men, that they represent drowsy constituency; and that
just regard to the principles which lie at the bottom OF
republican institutions and to the relations which subsist
between those who govern and those who governed,
require not only that their obedience should be strictly
and literally passive but that they should also shadow
something of the Incidence OF those they represent Habit
ua Incidence in all that relates to enterprise and improve
mentis striking feature of metropolitan population
if, indeed, il be not decided characteristic Strangers
speak of Doubtless, 1t is in great be
ascrbed to the fact that large portion of the nhab
ants officials and, from that cause, permanently
identified with the prosperity of the city, The residue
content with the labor required to house, feed clohe
and public servants, and with the traffic of
mark ethouses and grocery establishments, and thus
share in the crumbs which indirectly fall from the reasu-
ry, to have no higher views 1t is, nevertheless,
undenabe that city rulers have contributed not
little reard the growth of the city, and cramp the en-
erges Of the people, by their neglect to make artificial
advantages available, and natural manifest In
nothing this distinctly than in the desola
ton which marks the city shore OF the Eastern Branch
and the dapdated condition of the canal passing through
he metropolis Almost choked up at both ends, u.s. in
its present condition, of nuisance than benefit
of FIJI tho dirt nndH Of
channel for ascending supplies descending products
But is not our object to rake up and censure the de-
linquencies OF the past However mischievous they
have been, our concern is with the future Is it
wise to be longer dlei Mountains of coal and ron re-
curing the labor of ages to exhaus-orests. Astounding
in every variety of timber-vaeys, teeming with the
harvess of the husbandman about to become Access
sble and empty their rich treasures through channel
of navigation extending two hundred miles into the in.
terror doors Facts like these do more than sneak
to the understanding and convince the judgment they
address themselves the passions of men, and mpa to
the question of dleness or action interest which is
felt in every household If the philosophy be true that
like produce like effects and there be no error in
the political economy which teaches that where employ
ment is found there collect in bee -hivewhere
labor abounds and receives its just reward there cities are
built up, and contentment and prosperity have local
habitaon; we say if these doctrines be true they point
with no less significance to present duty than they
learn duty by the example of others, rather than
from he lessons of political science, have but to turn
eyes to the mouth OF the Schuykil and the term
of the Recalling railroad. Would we know and feel
the impulse which should animate a people emerging
from long night of gloom and darkness into the view
OF brighter skies, must catch the spirit of Alex
andria neghbors
That these observations may have practical bearing
and more direct application 10 condition and circum
stances, would enumerae the specific objects which
in judgment, should engage the immediate and par
ticula attention Of the municipal authorities and which
believe will meet the sanction of every shtened
man in the community:
FIRST A thorough and complete repair of the CITY
canal from 18th street to its entrance into the Eastern
Branch
Second like process in regard to that portion of the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal extending from 18th street To
the Georgetown locks and basin
Third The opening of the canal by the route of Jamess
creek TO the mouth OF the river, originally projected
and laid down on the city charts.
AS respects the proprety of the two first proposons
presume there will be no dssentients The long neg
lected work OF cleaning out the canal throughout M
whole course, and putting il in order, will of itself CIV
er most favorable influence the business of orr ctv
AMI should be undertaken without delay But to ston
there would be trfng More than this is indispensable
to the accommodation of the canal trade Less than what
we have suggested essential, maintain, will prove
faacous and result in cruel disappointment of our lust
expectations In view, il is the outlet between Buzz
yards and GreenIeafs points, which must give impor-
lance to city improvements and worth TO our canal
revenues. 1t is there the Anacosa disembogues itself
into the Potomac there where both rivers are brought
into close proximity with the banks of the canal there
and there only, where sufficient room can be found
for the anchorage OF ascending vessels there and there
only where natural basin is found for the reception
OF descending boats And besides it is from that point
and through that outlet only, that we can have channel
OF suhcent depth and capacity for the admission of soop
steam navigation from the river These ADVANTAGE
are striking, and cannot be overlooked bv tho ,, .,
pecial observer, But it is not because Of the create,
convenience better adaptation of this outlet 10 tb nd
of trade that already opened. that we urge IL, COW
petion We hold that both indispensable to tho =.
commodation OF the descending and ascending nav;.
ton and to the establishment of the city shore Of The
Eastern Branch a site of extensive commerce and
manufacturing industry; that the omission open both
outlets will be disastrous to the future growth and adj
vancement of the city In this opinion, sure every
one who is familiar with canal operations in New York
and Pennsylvania, and has witnessed their wonder
working effects at the points where their feights dis
charged, will agree. We not enthusiasts in this
matter Il is our deliberate opinion that all esti-
mate. of the trade will fall short of the reality; and
it's for these urge the necessity OF speedy