The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-13
TY OF WASHINGTON SUNDAY MORNING. DECEMBER ls, 1857

The west wing OF the Patent Office lildng is nearly
completed throughout and presents an elegant and TASTE
full appearance The north front OF the building s IN the
process OF erection Satisfactory contracts have been en-
tered into for the granite and marble work the SUB
basement has been finished and the contractors are
pressing forward their operations with aeommendspie
zeal This portion of the building will be completed by
the appropriations already made and no estimate Is now
deemed necessary for the Improvement and enclosure oil
the grounds around it.
An extraordinary food during the last winter, swept
away several sections of the bridge across the Potomac
The authorities of the city of Washington repaired the
breach and the bridge has been otherwise placed IN such
condition to make its passage safe lms, however
is temporary arrangement but IL is the only one by
which convenient connexon between the city OF wash
ingon and the shore of Virginia he had ut present
A permanent bridge the Potomac Is necessity
and it is for Congress TO determine It's location ana itS
character
The District OF Columbia has been set apart for the cap
ta nation and the relations of its people to the
general government altogether anomalous without
representative in Congress- and with no voice IN the
election of their Chief Magistrate far political rights
concerned It's inhabitants occupy the attitude OF de
pendent people, But they nevertheless American cit
izens and SUCH have rights and interests which are
dear to them to guard which facilities should he afforded
them as every other portion of fellowcitiDens OF
making known their wants. through their own represent
atye the only body clothed with the authority TO sup
ply them There be Just for the distinction
which has heretofore prevailed allowing Territory,
with meagre population, delegate upon the floor OF
Congress- make known its requirements and advocate
ct with its thousand inhabitants 1t would
be an Justice provide seat the floor OF the
House of Representatives for delegate to be chosen by
the people Of the District of Columbia Such an arrange
ent would remove Just ground of complaint that they
have no accredited organ by which their interests be
fairly and favoraby brought to the consideration OF Con-
| gress. p@ @ ot
In the act to incorporate the city of Washington, pass
ed May l5 1920 Congress invested the corporation with
full power and authority to ay and collect taxes to
erect and repair bridges " to open and keep in repair
Streets avenues lanes alleys, drains, and sewers agree
ably the plan of the city Ito erect lamps and to oc
cupy and improve for public purposes by and with the
of the President of the United States any part OF
the public and open spaces and squares in said city not
interfering with private rights.
In comforting these powers upon the corporation Con-
gress must have acted the conviction that 1t was the
duty of the city, and not Of the general government to
open and repair streets and avenues well as to make
| the other improvements indicated. Es. @FG!t
1t Is evident that the city authorities acting under the
influence of city constituency familiar with the loca
ties and well informed to the true interests and re-
quements of the people are less liable to be mised IN
such matters by the representations of private interests
than those whose attention is chiefly taken up with sub
ects of general concern and who are not supposed
to be specially interested in the material advancement OF
| the city u... Is.
It seems to be einently proper therefore, that these
should be made in pursuance of the pro
visions of the charter under the direction ot the city a
thorities; and hence estimates have been submitted
therefor by this department Beyond the appropriations
made by Congress for these objects neither the Commits
soner of Public Buildings the Secretary OF the lnte
has been ntrused with this duty The law relieves
this department from the obligation, not unrequently
urged, of initiating plans and suggesting iof
the opening Improvement and lighting OF sand ave-
nues and for the construction of drains and sewers in the
/ city. Ha im ' "
The government however, is large real estate pro-
prieor in the city Washington and provision is made
in the charter incorporation by which the Commissioner
of Public Buildings ia directed to reimburse the corpora
ton just proportion Of the expense incurred III opening
and aln
squares This expense has been heretofore betrayed out
of money arising from the sale Of lots belonging TO the
government but this has failed us and an
estimate has been submitted for appropriation out OF
| the national treasury on that account 4@
The reservations owned by the United States within
the city Of Washington require to be improved by the
general government Much attention has been bestowed
upon these during the last few years and several OF them
have been substantially enclosed and asteully ombes
cd But while much has been accomplished, more re-
mains to be done and liberal appropriations might, with
proprety be made for the continuation of these improve
ments whenever the condition of the treasury will admit
| Of it. ..
The grounds around the Capitol particularly COM
mended to the favorable consideration of Congress- in the
hope that early may be taken to relieve them OF
their present uncomely appearance The time has come
when plan should he agreed upon for their exte-
sion but how far they should be extended is question
| to be determined by congressional action
The auxiliary guard is police force provided by the
for the protection of property and the preser
walton of the peace within the city Of Washington. It's
members are paid from the public treasury through the
Commissioner of Public Buildings, but derive their ap
pontmcnts from the mayor of the city, to whom alone
they responsible for the faithful discharge OF their di
ties II is respectfully recommended that the law on this
subject be so far amended to require these appoint
ens before they take effect to be reported to, and
approved by some officer of the government either the
Commissioner of Public Buildings the marshal Of the
District of Columbia and TO give such officer thepower
of removal from Office whenever in his opinion the pub
| lie good may render it necessary -a&
The reports of the superintendent and the board of Wis
or of the government hospital for the insane accompany
this report The number of patients in the hospital July
1885, ninety three During the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1851, ty-two admitted and thirty-fve
discharged leaving in the institution at the last men
toned date hundred and ten four of whom are inde
pendent pay patients. This number exceeds the rated
capacity of that part of the building completed but
appropriation has been made for the construction Of
the centre building and three sections of the wings
cong the original plan adopted which in process
of erection and which will be pressed to completion with
all proper despatch and economy When these portions
of the building finished IL is believed its capacity VIII
be sufficient to meet all present demands for the accom-
modation of this unfortunate class of our people 1
The institution is conducted with skill and fidelity ard
reflects credit upon all who concerned in its msxtl
,nent HhH'
AT the last session of Congress an act was passed no
porang the Columbia Institution for the struction a
the Deaf Dumb, and Blind, In the charter of incorpdF
whenever he is satisfied that any deaf and dumb b
person of teachabe age properly belonging to this
trict is in INDECENT circumstances and cannot comn
the to education, to authorize the sd
person to enter the sad institution for instruction. am
to nav for his or her maintenance tuition therein at