Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-16
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

specting the carrying out, ut the present time,
the wishes of Gen. Washington, and in latter
days those of Gen. jackson, for Supplying the
public property with water from the Falls Of
the Potomac.
Washington by his foresight knew that the
metropolis Of this great nation would become
worthy the people of great republic and
that its destiny was, that it should be erected
in an era that was fast developing the power
possessed by man, to extend the arts and
sciences far beyond that which had gladden..
cd the eyes Of the greatest enthusiasts of the
Old World.
The people have erected and are now erect
ing buildings necessary for the proper preser.
walton Of the public property, only keeping
pace with the demands which the increased
business and accumulation of archives re-
quire. At this time when so much talent is
at the service of the people, ardent and anx-
ious to contribute towards the glory of their
country, in erecting forms in architecture
elegant and noble, as well as durable and
lasting in construction-safe repositories and
objects Of pride to look upon, by the repre-
sentatives Of the inhabitants of great re-
public, for ages to come-to do less than is
being done, would be impossible. The age
requires it, and it must be So If to differ
about the manner Of using the drippings of
water from the National Aqueduct as it passes
the habitations of those who reside near the
public property is to mar the beauty of the
metropolis, endanger the public property, and
risk the health of the officials, restrict the
use of the water solely for public purposes.
Without an ample supply of water the seat
of Government cannot exist, while that which
is absolutely requisite is being conveyed to
the Capitol, but small addition will be re-
quired for the comforts and elegancies of life.
Who can calculate the advantages to pos
terity that the assembling annually of the
peoples representatives, accompanied by
their families, at the metropolis will yield?
Elegance in the arts and sciences, which can
only be accomplished on large scale, and
in proper proportion by the Government, will
be viewed to advantage, and fix impressions
to be cultivated hereafter for the benefit of
their country. We will not say that we must
keep pace with our cotempora aries of the Old
World-more is expected-we must lead.
The very nature of our public institutions
draws forth talent and urges it on to success.
"Hit 'em Agin; They amt got any
Friends. The line of argument pursued by
two or III roo hon bIa mn n, horo oc A.. h..
upon the water works question naturally gives
rise to the impression that they regard all the
citizens of Washington, engaged in business,
as set of sharpers bent on cheating every
person with whom they deal; or that the
honorable gentlemen themselves are much
sharper concerning their own pennies than
the great mass of the representatives of the
nation, who make no such complaints. Now,
the cost of living is necessarily much greater
in this city than elsewhere, as provision must
be made here for the temporary entertain
ment of thousands of Strangers. Fluctuations
Of demand always produce high prices for
when the demand is greatest.
This law holds good every where, as all ex-
perienced persons know. Members of Con.
gress are not charged higher prices in Wash
ington than they would pay in New York or
any other city for similar accommodations or
articles under similar circumstances. There ia
on any gentleman from distance
among US to buy more than the bare ecessaries
Of life in Washington, and if not satisfied with
the prices charged for those by the frst person
with whom he essays to deal, here, as else where,
he can find accommodations at lower rates.
Rooms may be had at from three to Fifty dollars
per week (; though it is rather unreasonable to
expect to obtain suites of rooms at first class
hotels in Washington at less prices than are
charged in similar establishments of other
cities. We know many members who save
money here on their pay, because they strive
to do SO. Others who essay no such thing,
Of course spend all theirs. It would be in
better taste, it strikes US, for gentlemen who
desire to live economically among us to con-
tent themselves with moderate accommoda.
tons and living, than to indulge in those
which are more costly, and then essay to hold
the citizens Of Washington responsible for their
failure to get out of them a thing worth FIVE
dollars in the market for half that sum Our
tradesmen, like tradssmen everywhere, aim
to make as much money as they can, and
nothing can be easier than to decline dealing
with them where their prices may be deemed
exorbitant. That course would be more re-
spectacle than that of stigmatizing a whole
community for the prices charged by few,
which by the by, no one is compelled to pay
Respond to the Call.-We lay before the
Stars readers the following important and
eloquent appeal, and earnestly hope that it
will be promptly and effectively responded to
by the South, from Masons and Dixon's line
to the western confines of Texas. 1t is from
the Secretary Of the Kansas Emigration So
ciety, and dated Lafayette County, Mo-, March
Is, 1856:
TO THE PEOPLE OF TIE SOUTHERN STATES