The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-08
Local Matters.

GEonGErows AM, w Asnlsoros a rivalry
two cities, the instances wherein their interests
have been identical are SO much more numerous
and important that in liberal minds remembra nee
of the former no longer exists. They can both
best prosper by of mutual good will and the
interchange of offices of kindness and generosity
spirit leading 10 this has, of late, been very gen
orally manifested in IA more marked manner than
in former times, and we hope it will continue to be
the purpose of all good citizens to foster and en-
courage it. There are many important public in
terests to be looked to, requiring the cooperation
of the people of both communities. The existence
of any feelings other than those Of the most per feet
amity and concord would form an obstacle to the
successful prosecution of such objects, and gnobly
defeat or retard the prosperity ofeach.
AS the seat Of the General Government, Wash
ington city will of course always be favored with
advantages that may not be given to her sister
city; yet many of these in direct manner, and all
in an indirect way, will cnure to the advantage Of
the latter. At the present moment there arc pro-
jects of this character, having their origin in de-
sire TO promote the welfare of Washington and
yet such have good reason to believe will
prove equally beneficial to her neighbor
public school system is earnestly and inpera-
lively called for by the citizens of Washington.
The cooperation of this city have labored earnestly
to establish such system and taking their old
free school as the nucleus around which to gather
all the requisite elements, have progressed in the
work far enough to convince all of their devotion
to the objects and interests before them and their
capability, with adequate mcans, to consummate
in the best manner possible their audable enter
prise 1t is thus that the subjccth has attracted the
attention OF Congress- and with the liberaty that
body has ever cvinced toward this District, and
which we well know isapproved by the people of the
States of this Union, common school fund will be
provided that will place us in possession of advan
tages equal to those enjoyed by the most favored
States of the Republic. Will the people Of Wash
ington desire any exclusive privileges and benefits
in relation to this subject Assuredly not; they
will rejoice that the entire District is embraced in
the views of bencficent national legislature,
and will gladly unite in raternal spirit with
their brethren Of Georgetown, in dcvising and
adopting such plans and methods of instruction as
shall the light of knowledge to every child
that grows up amongst US.
Another and highly salutary and important
measure is now under consideration. II contem-
plates the fulhlment Of project that we believe
suggested by General jackson during his Prcsi
dency We allude TO the introduction Of copous
supply of water from the Potomac at the Great
Falls, by means Of large cast-iron pipes laid above
the course of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. This
excellent enterprise believe, has special refer
TO the convenience of the public edihccs Of
Washington, and TO the security and preservation
of the archives of the nation; but the extension of
such plan, to embrace the wants of the people of
Washington, many of whom arc public func.
tonares Of various grades, and especially since the
frequent recurrence of the public property extends
our city TO limits that render difficult, If not inn
practicable, the accomplishment of such an enter
prise through any other means, will hardly be
deemed an infringement upon any law or Preco-
dent in the case. As such an aqucduct will necessa-
rily pass through Georgetown, it is neither proba
bic nor possible that the advantages it read
lily afford will be denied her citizens. The source
whence this water is to be obtained is abundant and
exhaustless, and to enlarge few inches the diam
cter of tbe iron tube will be too small favor to
give rise TO serious objections.
There is still another project that to us at
this moment ono mott desirable to these sister
cities, and one that will tend in a double TO
draw still nearer to each other
To understand us fully, the reader will do well
to follow us in Imagination along the avenue to
Georgetown As you are making the fret gentle
turned off 10 the right, just look straight before
you. There you perceive, with descent Of but
degree and half the creek could be crossed upon
a wire bridge, for which two prominent natural
abutmcnts exist. \ bee-ine here would carry you
into Bridge street at Tilley's hotel, leaving the
Presbyterian Church to your left, and without
passing over many thousand dollars worth of pro-
perty. There would at this junction be an obtusc
angle, neither ungraceful nor inconyenient.
Well, now let us descend the hill by the present
route-hve degrees Draw the rcins tgnt-take
the left of the rugged precpice-so. gently--now
you can hold back no longcr-nclino 10 the right,
and away you gol There is no ice, no snow-tbc
fence before you admonshes your horses TO do their
best at hauling up and inclining TO the left SO,
then, you are safely the bridge. The chances
were very favorable for broken vehicle, and a
lame horsc-and they were not very remote for
damaged driver. All thi. could have been avoided
il the imaginary wire bridge we have described
would only bear your weight upon IT, Now, what
do you say TO making real wire bridge that viii
sustain your II will cost but little compared to
its great advantages.
When Washington and Georgetown were wide
apart, and once week was often enough Tor us
To visit each other, the present route was made to
answer; but Mt this time we GO and come by hun
drcds every hour Of the day. We dine and sup
with each other. The ladies OF Georgetown come
down the avenue 10 shop, and ours retaliate upon
the Bridgc-strcet merchants The young folks OF
Georgetown make ncursions upon US at night by
omnibus loads and quiet and sedate members of
Congress take their lodgings over there for rePose
comfort and-economy The intercourse is plea.
SAINT and profitable we daily fee more and more
like near ncighbors.
j. this state Of things not worth encouraging?
Shall wo hesitate about deciding in favor Of
Strengthening the ayenuci Shall we not have the
avenue paved smoothly from the departments to
tho bridge, and lights by the waysdef Assuredly
we must, The expense will not be great, and 1t
will soon DO returned four-fold. Mutual benefits
will be conferred, and mutual good will promoted.