The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-07

I PduPtT Pu
tients, has uaually been $4,000, and il may wei
be doubted whether any appropriation OF the public
money is or could be judicious; certainly
none can be justified upon higher principles Of hu.
manlty. The great number OF persons OF almost
every vocation and grade in life who arc every
year attracted, by business otherwise, to Wash
ington, many Of whom invads when they ar
rive here; others overtaken by disease during
their sololrn md often without the means of pro-
curing surgical or medical assistance. OF those so
situated there has been admitted in this institution
within the last year ninety four, all of whom,
have reason to believe, have received ample accom-
modations for their comfort, well as prompt and
efficient surgical and medical treatment. The in
stituton is under excellent control in every depart
rnent. The physicians and surgeons attached TO it
give bond as the appropriation prescribed, for the
maintenance of the patients, and bind thetnseves
also to keep rooms for their accommodation. The
patients send there are uniformly well received
many of whom, when restored TO health, have
called me- to testify their satisfaction to the treat
| mcnt they received at the institution.
IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR OF AVENUES AND
STREETS.
In pursuance Of the appropriation in the Def
cheney bill of last session Of 500 "for continu-
ing the pavement of the avenue around the Capitol
grounds the work has been prosecuted with all
possible energy and despatch, and with the excep-
tion of the ot-way Of small space Immediately
in front of the northwestern gate, which is to be
| extended. 1t has been completed as far as First
street east applied to the War Department., as
the terms of the appropriation authorized, for the
services of an engineer from the Typographical
Bureau; but as all attached 10 the corps were, at
the time, otherwise employed, my request could
not be complied with. was, therefore, compelled
| to employ civil engineer of this city, who has
given the grades and computations to my satisfac-
ton, and with much credit to himself
| The mechanical execution Of the work has been
conducted by an experienced and faithful super
inendent, which, apart from its favorable appear
ance, satisfies me that due regard has been had to
ts durability and frmness. The appropriation has
all lu.l eol, ~
claims to the amount Of about s 900. Fit should
be the pleasure of Congress to pave First street
the eastern front OF the enclosure, probably
the original design, further appropriation, csti
mated by the engineer at $4,000, will be ncccs-
sary.
| When The appropriation was made of S 7, 900 "for
completing the improvement of Indiana avenue,
from the City Hall to the Capitol Hill in May, 1850,
| the work was resumed and has been nearly com
| plctcd There has been constructed across the
'fiber, which runs through the avenue, arched
bridge OF brick, resting upon abutmcnts Of stone
| masonry; aud extensive wing walls of stone have
been provided also, to protect the cmbanknent
formed each side of the stream. No further pro-
gress could be made without the removal Of por-
| ton Of the railroad track This obstacle, have
reason to believe will soon be removed the rail
road company is rapidly advancing in the erection
of new depot on square No. 632, which, when com
pletcd, will be the starting and stopping point for
their cars; and consequently the present track
southwest of Indiana and New Jersey avenues will
not be thcnccforth used These avenues, and G and
d and North Capitol streets, will, OF necessity,
| therefore, become the principal thoroughiares 10
and from the new depot. and ID streets are now
being suitably improved by the corporation OF
| Washington and, when finished, will, in conncx-
ion with the improvement Of the avenue, favorably
change the aspect of that hitherto neglected section
Of the city. And should the Improvement OF North
Capitol street. which is highly essential be directed
by Congress, or undertaken by the city authorities
il can bc done by comparatively small expcndi
ture, and would add greatly TO public convc
nience.
The appropriations at the last accession of Con
gress for completing The Improvement on indiana
avenue, $1,000 by tho deficiency, and $4,000 il
the general appropriation bill, will, think, be suf
fcient to complete all the necessary improvement
| for the present
The civil and diplomatic appropriation bill o
last session contained two appropriations for i'm
provcments on New Jersey avenue. One of 8 0ot
for grading, gravelling, repairing sidewalks
building cuverts, and otherwise improving north
of the Capto;'' and another of $4,000 for ''iikt
improvements from the Capitol square to the public
| reservation number seventeen"
The corporation of Washington, as the appro
priatons contemplated, proceeded, without delay
to establish the grade from the Capitol to stree
| south, distance of some thousand feet embracing
most of the high ground, which required excava
ton. This prompt action the part Of the cor
poration, seconded by the urgent solicitation o.
property holders in the vicinity, left me good
reason for delay in prosecuting the work TO The
extent of the appropriations, although it was man
ifestly insufficient Whether the sum provided
was based upon any estimate of the probable cost
have no knowledge, but should presume other
wise, the quantity OF work 10 be performed could
not be ascertained until the grades definitely
established
The grade, as now fixed, is below the former
grade between and streets about four feet on
the eastern eide, and two on the western, and re-
duCcs 1t to n less extent for some distance north
and south. Operations were commenced on the
eastern side of the avenue, that being the deepest
and most expensive excavation, The progress
made within the short period which has elapsed
since the adjournment Of the last session of Con-
gress, has evinced great vigilance and fidelity on
the part of the superintendent entrusted with the
work, which it necessarily suspended for want o
additional means. The grade prescribed by the
city corporation for this portion OF the avenue; from
the Capitol southwark to reservation seventeen
U7) has been so far conformed to, and to COM
plete the improvement in accordance with this
grade will require the further sum of $4,000. n:
estimated by the engineer employed by the corpo
ration.
That portion OF the avenue north of the Capito
will require heavy embankment for the greater
part of the distance, and bridge across the Tibe
stream, which will render it also rather an expen
under contract on very favorable terms but, il
consequence of the scarcity of earth in that vci
nifty, the residue will not probably be let 80 low
An estimate OF the sums that will be required (,
render both of these improvements complete hai
been made by an experienced engineer, in the en-
ployment of the corporation of Washington, which
may, should presume, be relied upon as proxi
mately correct. He states the sum for that south
of the Capitol at $4,000 and for the completion o.
that north of the Capitol vizi from street &c
south OF ID street, including arohed bridge over
the Tibcr, at $4,000, which hereby recommend
to be appropriated.
There was an appropriation of $4,000 in the
civil and diplomatic bill, approved September 3uth,
| 1850 for the extension of the sewer under Penn
sylvania avenue on l4ih street to the canal. I'm
mcdiatcly after tho adjournment of Congress, or as
soon thereafter as the surveys and necessary ex-
amnalions could be made in regard to location OF
the line, depth, drainage, grade, &C., the work
was put under contract, and speedily prosecuted
from the canal to the south line of the avenue
| Meeting near the last mentioned point with an Old
sewer referred to in the act Here the Requirement,
of the act was complied with, and the appropria-
tion nearly exhausted but it was found that the
object of the petitioners and the public interest
were but partially served. and that 10 render the
new sewer more fully efficient, required its
tinuancc on the same linc to the northeast corner
OF tho avenue and li,h street This has been done,
aud the gutter waters leading 10 that point by l4th