The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-03

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upper Eastern Branch bridge All Of these objects are ~
great Importance aud believe that Congress would bSv
sanctioned the most Of them by making tha necessary ar
preparations but for matters Of more general interest which
engrossed its confederation Those which are situated
the northern portion Of the city deserving OF especial
favor the government l~5 never to my kno xledge ~
pended any money 10 that ourishipg and growing section
with the exception Of seps out few trees srunad M.
public reservations Handsome edices there meet The A.
In every direction and the spirit of improvement h man.
tested all around with the exception Of the govtrnmen,
property which alone remains uncared for and presens
sorry spectacle amidst such evidences Of tasteful progress
Great diversity of opinion exists to~the limits to
which the Capitol grounds should be extended westward
Some advocate far Third street. Others to Second
street whilst not few strongly oppose any further eI
tension 10 that direction alleging that II would shorten
Pennsylvania avenue much to destroy the beautiful
vista IL presents between the Capitol and Presidents
house. All 10 in the opinion that squares
numbered 6s7 and 6ss should be embraced within The
eastern enclosure presume plan for the extension Of
the grounds will be adopted at the approaching session Of
Congress and the necessary appropriation made for carry
ton of the plan win involve the removal Of the public sta
bes and suitable and convenient location DO
designated for them small reservation formed by the
intersection OF Maryland and Second street west
and bordering the canal appears TO TO be peculiarly
adapted for a stable II is within short distance Of the
Capitol stands alone and cannot easily be affected by fire
from any of the neighborng houses and is convenient
the canal that if fire should originate in the building
ii could not make much Roadway before it would be
tinguished by the food of water that could be poured
upon it, know OF other pube TO which it could
be advantageeusly applied and il the rejection of site
for the stables left to me- hould prefer ii to all Others
that have been suggested if IL did not belong TO the
government, and had TO be purchased.
The duties imposed upon the Commissioner Of Pub
lie Buildings by the 10Th section Of the city charter ep
proved May ID 1920 and the 18th section Of the amended
charter approved May II iSis be discharged un
less there an annual appropriation made for the purpose
He is required TO make certain improvements of the streets
and which pass through between any Of the
public squares reservations and to defray the expenses
out of the proceeds of the sales of government lots in
the city. All the government lots that could be sold have
been disposed of and therefore the revenue arising Nom
that has entirely ceased and the means required
accomplish the Objects designated in the section referred
to, must be provided in some other way The government
cannot refuse TO make these improvements they are
only intended to correspond with similar improvements
made by the proprieors of lots the opposite side Of
such streets or avenues or adjacent to such squares or res
eryations.
Considerable annoyance YVES experienced during the last
winter and spring from the interior quality and short sup
ply OF gas furnished by the Washington Gaslsht Com.
pany The of those defects has been corrected and
the gas Is OF good quality, and the supply abundant
and have the reliable that hereafter there
will be occasion for complaint either score. Since
my last report in which conrasted the prices paid for
gas in other cities with the cost of it in this II has been
duced to So 80 per thousand cubic feet the private
sumer and to So rs to the government Further reduc
ons presume will be made from time to time as the in
crease in the consumption will justify
Additional and passages in the Capitol have been
lighted with gas and great has been observed to keep
all the fixtures wherever the gas is used by the
in good order.
On the cast and west fronts of the Capitol large lamps
more in keeping with the extensive building have been
erected and they afford Sufficiently OF light which
much needed at those points / employ but six lamp.
lighters for the Presidents House and grounds the Capitol
and its grounds and the whole extent of Pennsylvania
avenue from Georgetown to the navyyard One OF them
receives compensation of $780, and the Others S4S0 per
annum | see why they should not receive the
compensation allowed oil the other aborers on the
public grounds and in the executive departments None
of them render useful service and much
exposed to Indictment weather. They paid out Of
the gas appropriation incident to lighting the Capt.
toll, &c, with gas; and their employment Will be per-
manent recommend that they be made salnried officers
at 5000 per annum EACH and like all other government
employees of that class be paid by specific appropriation
The annual appropriation which the government makes
for the admission OF sick nonresident paupers in the
Washington Inrmary continues to relieve great amount
of human suffering The unsparing attention of skiu
physicians and kind cannot always effect cure
but even in the cases which prove fatal they do much
alleviate the pain and smooth the pillow OF the dying.
regard this charity of the most benevolent that
be bestowed and doubt not but that it sis twice blessed
it besseth him that gives and him that takes"
most earnestly hope that the appropriation may be In.
creased in conformity with the recommendation my last
report that the sphere of its usefulness to the destitute
and friendiess stranger may be enlarged.
There has been abatement of the nuisance occasioned
by the Centre market-house which has been subject Of
such long and just complaint C,untry wagons still
nue to occupy and obsruct the free passage of Pennsy
vana avenue for several squares The city authorities have
adopted plan for market-house, which would OBJ
waite all just cause OF complaint and at the time DO
| an ornament to the city A bill to provide for
erecting the building passed branch of the council last
spring, but failed in the other Since then have
dersood that any further effort has been made
psh an object much required by proper regard for
public convenience and public decency do not think
would be amiss in adding the health of that portion of
the city am clearly of the opinion that the government
has the right to have the markehouse removed and take
possession OF the reservation occupied by it. However
much may regret the necessity for adopting such
ure, should fail in my duty to the government and THE
city If did not recommend IT. provided that after due
notice and by specified time, the corporation had not
taken measures eectuay to rid the Of abom
nable nuisance.
As have means, other than those common to all
citizens of knowing anything of the of the
Auxiliary Guard cannot report to you how far they
prove efficient in the preservation of order and protection
OF public and private property The change in the admin
straton of the city has not affected my opinion of the in
cangruity in the manner of appointing and paying the
guar II Congress thinks il constitutional and wise to
vest their appointment in the mayor of the city over
whom, in his official capacity the government has
troll respectfully submit that he ought to be required to
dsburse the money appropriated for their compensation
and contingent expenses and that this Office should be
eved of the responsibility and trouble of such dsbuse
ments
The time has arrived when in my opinion all the great
thorougbares leading to the Capitol and Presidents House
ought to be opened graded and gravelled the corpora
ton OF Washington is relied upon to do this work. the pc
rod Is FAR distant when may expect to he done II
the corporation had the WILL il does not possess the pecu
mary ability The city laid upon its magnificent
plan to accommodate the government and not for the ad
vantage and convenience of its citizens II stands TO ra
son that corporators would have adopted plan
for city with such wide and streets which never
could be expected to be opened GRADED paved gravel
led, without subjectpg the property within its limits TO
onerous and runous taxation The city possessed char
ter until the year 1902 and up TO that period all improve
ments every description were made by the government
/ thnn imam aA.I IL L..