Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-02-09
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1853.
Washington improvements.

We have taken up this subject in earnest
in the Star, and mean to pursue it faithfully,
until we have done all that is in the power
of an independent press to make Washington
what it ought to be-the model city of the
American Republic
Among the improvements indispensable to
the good character of this city, as the
capital of the nation, we shall name
l. Pure mater. This great blessing is at
tainable, if the people but will it. We are
we'll aware of the steps that have been
taken, and that are now in progress in the
premises. Bat the matter is not followed
up, with that energy with which we intend it
shall beat least so far as our discussions
Of it are concerned.
Washington needs nothing so much at
this moment as she does perfect system
for obtaining and supplying her citizens with
and abundance Of pure water She has o
splendid area for the free circulation of air
broad and beautiful avenues, drawn as
straight as the compass and Tine of Wash
ipgton, the Virginia surveyor, could draw
them-ample squares, and grounds, where
trees can spread their leafy boughs, and the
birds of the North and the South meet to
sing in their branches-hills of splendid
prospects, and broad river whose rolling
waters wash the shores that bear the hal
lowed tomb Of the Father of our Country
climate that for varied charms, guided by
its central location, has no Nperior ON
earth: all these things, and more, Wash
ington has; and yet she has no adequate
supply of one of the richest blessings Heaven
ever gave to mantle sweet element that
first sparkled in the fountains of Paradise.
Now why is this? It is not because the
people do not all feel the want of water. It
is not because there is any deficiency of it
in the adjacent streams, suitable for the city.
1t is not because Congress, the legislature
CT the metronolisA is not willing to give it to
them. The only reason why this great boon
is not obtained at once is to be found in this
apathy Of the citizens on the subject "What
is everybody's business is nobody's bust
.ess," saith the old adage; and this is
proved to be lamentably true in this matter
of supplying Washington with water. All
admit the necessity. Some few have moved
in the business. A kind of arrangement has
been made, by which it has seemed as if
something would be done, one OF these days
And there the matter rests.
We respectfully invite the citizens to dis
cuss this important topic in the columns of
the Star. All sides shall be fairly heard
for our only object is to gather and reflect
the rays of truth on all subjects interesting
to Washington.
Is is not desirable to call a series of pub
lie meetings? Does not the importance of
the matter justify movement in that drec-
ton by the local authorities?
But we must defer further remarks on the
subject, and also those We intended to make
on other needful improvements, to future
number of our journal
LECTUREs.-Lieut. NJ. F. Maury, U. S. n
will deliver lecture this "wednesday even
ing at the Lyceum Hall in Alexandria,
Subject: InRusnce Of the salt of the sea upon
the circulation Of its acaters. And the Rev.
Dr. Plumer, of Baltimore, will deliver lee
ture at the same place on Friday evening,
February 11th. Subject: The sponders of
the constitution Of man.
Esg~ Some idea Of the business done at