Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-05-15
STAR.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

\
refary Of tie Interior, dated December 4,
1854
Many public improvements are required in
District of Columbia, which can be construct
ed at this time without the expenditure being
seriously felt by the treasury. In such city,
certain objects of magnitude are to be accom-
plished, which are beyond the reach Of the
citizens alone. Nothing can be lost by ex-
hibiting a generous spirit Of liberality, the
more especially where important interests Of
the government are thereby promoted
The erection of fre-proof buildings is abso-
| lutely necessary for the safety and security,
as well as the convenience and accommoda
tion of the State, War, Navy, and Interior
Departments. No city can be more exposed
than this to fire, and none are in possession of
fewer means to extinguish it. When the 70 is
such surplus lying dormant in the treasury,
what good reason can be assigned for permit
ting millions of public property to be con-
stantly exposed to imminent dsnger without
an effort TO protect it The rents paid for ad-
ditiOnal buildings, although large are trifing
| in comparison with the irrepsrable loss that
would accrue from the occurrence Of such
calamity. If the money is not thus expend-
ed, may it not be applied to purposes of less
importance to the American people?
The appropriations made for the present Is
cal year for improving and ornamenting the
public grounds were too small and too limit
ed. With a view to the comfort health. and
beauty Of the city, the admirable plan of Mr.
Downing should be rapidly pressed to compile
tion. 1t is impracticable TO prosecute it Wig
orously without additional means If liberal
appropriations were made, as well as pro-
vision for the employment of skilful and in
telligent landscape gardener, all the public
grounds might soon be made 10 assume a beau
tiful appearance. The portions cultivated and
improved are certainly very creditable to the
action and taste Of Congress, but the remain
der, in their present condition, are not only
offensive to the eye, but we'll calculated to
generate disease in the city.
The force employed upon the public grounds
should be differently organized and arranged
There should be a controlling spirit at the
head, who would direct and distribute the
subordinates and laborers and the salaries
Of the officers, instead of being paid at the
discretion of the Department, should be fixed
by law.
The lots in the city belonging to the Gen.
eral Government are now sold by the Commits
sioner of Public Buildings, and the proceeds
expended for the Improvement of the streets,
nothing going into the treasury. The pro-
priety is suggested Of selecting such as may
be necessary for the public use, and turning
over the balace TO the city authorities, to be
exclusively devoted by them to the purposes
Of education This would relieve the De-
ton with them, prevent private individuals
from obtaining them on eE paTte statements
for mere tribe, and would benefit a most
worthy class of people.
Under the appropriation Of fifteen thousand
dollars for completing the Little Falls bridge,
a contract has been entered into for erecting
on the stone abutment and piers already built.
two spans of wooden bridge, in length three
hundred and twenty feet The plan adopted
is known as " Howe's Truss" combined with
arches, and the structure is to be capable Of
sustaining test-weight or load of one ton for
every foot in length. To make il available
for travel, an inclined timber roadway will be
constructed, to lead from the river bottom,
which is dry at low water, up to the roadway
ol the bridge. This part is liable to be car
ried away by the spring freshets, but can be |
replaced at a comparatively small cost. The
whole will be completed by the 18th inst To
finish the bridge as originally proposed would,
according to the estimate of the engineer in /
charge, cost seventy five thousand dollars |
more. If appropriated, the Department will |
endeavOr to expend it judiciously and with |
frugality.
The erection of the buildings for the Ma
tional Hospital for the insane has been prose-
cuted with great energy, and strictly with an :
eye to utility and economy. 1t was supposed 1
that ere this it would have been ready 20 re- /
ceive inmates; but, on reflection, it was con-
Guided best TO defer Its occupancy until the /
ere ection until the erection Of permanent ap-
pcndages, which otherwise must have been
temporary, and, in the end, far more expen-
sive. The present intention is, the receive
the patients of this District-now under the /
care of the Maryland Hospital and Mount
Hope Institution at Baltimore-on the first /
day of January next. 1t is probable the pre-
sent edifice will be completely finished and in /
readiness for occupation on the 30th Of June |
next. 1t will then accommodate eighty five
patients, with the usual proportion of officers,
attendants, and servants. There are now
twenty insane persons belonging to the army
and navy establishments, and fifty three in
digent insane, in the Baltimore institutions
by the Government; and eleven
are detained in the Jail of this city; so that it
appears there are already eighty four who
will be entitled to the benefits of this insti-
tuition according to its original design. 1t is
conceived that no project can commend itself
more favorably to the attention of Congress
To make it q model institution of its kind
should be the determined effort of the Gov
,rnment. This can be done, with the aid and
experience of the excellent superintendent,
1t a small cost, compared with our other pub
10 buildings and similar structures in many
# the States.