Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-12
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


city readers to this most admirable paper, in
which they will find the following recOmmcn-
datiOns Of local interest:
l. For the early erection of departmental
building. Three fronts of the Patent ONCE
building are nearly completed, and work has
been commenced on the fourth. 1t is pro-
posed to finish this also as soon as practicable.
and an appropriation of 100000 has been
asked for that purpose. But as the entire
structure will probably be needed by the Pat
ent Office, by the time it is completed, the
Secretary urges the propriety OF making i'm
mediate arrangements for the erection Of a
building for the accommodation Of the De-
partmert This is wise recommendation,
and, we confidently believe it will be fayora-
bly, responded to by Congress unless our citi-
zeDs should be SO lmprudent as to create
difficulties by discussions among themselves
respecting the neighbOrhood to be particularly
benefited by the Improvement. To obviate
all this, VIC respectfully suggest that no site
be designated in the law for the building, but
that 1t be erected upon such spot as may be
selected for it by the President of the United
States or Secretary of the Interior.
2. For the new Jail. For this, plans and
estimates have been submitted to Congress. as
required by the act of the 18th August last
Grave objections, however, are said to exist to
the site indicated by that act, which are enti.
tied TO and will receive careful consideration
from the committees in charge Of the subject
3. For accommodations for the Criminal
Court Every one at all familiar with the
condition Of our courts has long been painfully
aware of the great inconvenience under which
they have labored. But one Of the court
rooms having as yet been completed, the Grim
inal Court has frequently been compelled to
hold its sessions in the Common Council Cham
Der of the city, and we believe it is now in
session in that room. This ought not so to be,
and we therefore heartily rejsice tina n suit
able addition to the courthouse has been REQ
commended.
For the improvement Of the public
grounds. Under tbis lie ad We quote from the
report " The public grounds in the city of
Washington have been extensively improved
and beautifed; but still, as much has not been
done as is required. Within few years past
Congress has, in this regard, been moro than
usually liberal, but far from lavish. The
comfort, health and convenience, not merely
Of the citizens, but Of the members themselves,
and sll the functiOnaries Of the Government,
and every visitor TO this city, demand that
much larger expenditures should be made.
When the money is judiciously expended, no
one can object TO Its application. The whole
nation is interested in the national metropolis
and the people will sanction anything relating
10 its Improvement which is necessary and
constitutional. One thing is certain-these
improvements will eventually be made by the
Government, and, being merely question Of
time, an overlooking treasury suggests this as
the proper period"
The condition of the public grounds has at
tracted no little attention since the days Of
the late lamented Downing, by whom plans
for their improvement were so tastefully pre-
pared, and much has been done for their
adornment. Much more, however, rem aims to
he done, and the following liberal sppropria-
II = a. l. Al
Tsrtment to continue the improvements during
the next ensuing year.
For repairs Of Pennsylvania avenue, So 900.
For public reservation No. g. and Lafayette
square, 50 900.
For taking care Of the grounds south Of tie
President house, continuing the improve
ment Of the same, and keeping them in order,
So 900
Fer preservation and improvement OF the
circle al the tersection of Pennsylvania and
New Hampshire avenues, and h and Twenty
third streets, 81 500.
For continuing the improvement Of Judi
ciary square, repairing fences, and completing
the pavement around the same, $4,000.
For :complsting the Improvement Of the
grounds Of the botanic garden. $1,000.
For continuing the grading and planting
with trees the uIimproVed portion of the mall,
$4,000.
For enclosing with a wooden fence and i'm
proving triangular space formed by the inter-
section Of New York and Massachusetts, ave-
nues and Tenth and Twelfth streets, 81, 500.
For enclosing with an iron railing and i'm.
proving triangular spaces on Pennsylvania
avenue, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth
streets, and the space on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue between Twentieth and
Twenty-frss streets, SIC, 229.0l.
We have said that these are matters Of great
local interest. They are so because, in making
the Improvements, employment is given to so
large number Of worthy, industrious citi-
zens, and, when made, they add so much to
the beauty of the national metropolis But
not on these accounts should the improvements
be regarded as being made for the benefit of
the city. Such is not the case the benefit il
receives Is Incidental merely, and nothing
more.
The departmental building proposed to be
erected IS indispensable for the proper trans
action Of the public business, as we'll as for
the protection Of the public archives Already
the Government has, doubtless, lost far more
IN the burning Of its buildings than would
have suficed TO provide ample fre-proof &C.
combinations for al its various departments,
and yet the State, the War, the Navy and the
Law Departments to this day remain in build
lngs daily exposed to destruction by FIRE, to
say nothing Of the half score offices in rented
buildings equally Insecure. Under these cir
cumstances we submit that it is bu. an act OF
common prudence, and in fact economy, for
the Government to provide suitable buildings
Tor It's own accommodation, and that it would
be entirely lneZcusahle in longer delaying to
do so. Such are our views on this point, and
as respects the public grounds we think their
improvement should, at least, keep pace with
private improvements in their immediate vi
entity.
Gov. McClelland appears from his report to
entertain The same opinion, for we find on
carefully anaiyEing his recommendations and
esumates, that ne has carefully excluded from
them aii objects Of improvement which it is
noreieariy the duty ofthe Government to make.
FOR this he is entitled to the thanks of the
puehc, especially when il is remembered taat
ieglumate objects of improvement. have here.
'lore been sometimes defeated by being con-
nected with others Of doubtful propriety.
win this remark, we leave the subject, hop
laS congress will act upon the recomuenda-
ITEMS Of the Honorable Secretary IN the same
A2eIal spirit which prompted them.
fAssAGE AND HOTEL TBIEVEs.-Rscent oc
currenees Indicate the presence in this city Of