Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-04-03

The recent melancholy evidences Of tho
unhealthiness Of the locality of our Fed
eral capital, or Of the mode Of life ofihoso
unfortunate citizens who are compelled 10
reside there, deserve the very serious con-
slderaton Of the people OF the Union
The attempt to ascribe oil the sickness
contracted by visitors 10 the simple fact OF
few poisoned rats getting into the cistern
Of ono Of the hotels Is altogether unsatls'
factory. We believe that tho true causes
OF this general and severe illness are the
anfavorable locality Of the city, which lies
in hollow, surrounded by poor hills; In
tho bad water which the inhabitants arc
compelled to use, the absence Of sewerage,
the inefiicienoy Of corporation, which, de-
pending on the charity of Congress- makes
no effort 10 enforce sanitary rules and q
good police. As an evidence Of the gem
erality Of the causes which have produced
the sickness so much complained of We
may state the fact that IN many cases the
malady contracted was elsewhere than at
the National, and prevailed all over the city
--or at least In that part which lies in the
hollow plateau. On the hills II Is said Ia
be more healthy and the water Is good.
We know that the lower parts OF Wash
ington, have always been regarded sickly
Diseases Of the bowels have always been
common there In wet weather, and fever
and aguoln the dry season. II lisa start
ling fact that the present locality Of the
Presidents House has, for many years
had the reputation Of being exceedingly
insalubrious, not TO say pestiential. For
some time II has been seriously discussed
whether the President oughtno TO be pro.
vided with residence on the nights oi
Georgetown, or some other healthy local
ity, where ho would not be exposed to the
malaria which pervades the prescott site o.
the White House. A President Of the
United States makes many serious sacrlfe
es for the honor Of being Chief Magistrate
Of this great Republic; but we do no
think he should be expected to ondangel
his lifo aud surrender bis health IN ordcl
10 fulfill this great trust. His labors, caroi
aud duties AFRO oppressive enough to th,
most Herculcan mental aud physical sys
tom; but to impose them upon one who Il
compelled to imblbe an unwholcsomo at
mosphore and doleterioua water. Is ratho
too severe tax on ambition and the sense
Of public duty. But what Ia 80 DO done
The president Is required 10 reside inWash
ington, and ho has no other habI,ation thar
the White House. These are melanchol,
facts; but how loug they shall continue 4
DO so--how long tho people Of this grea
country, now stretching from ocean 4
ocean, will acquesee IN the continuance
Of the Capital at 30 unfayorablo aud un
suitable plaoe-ono selected when th'
AlleghanIcs formed our Western boundary
IA place, too, so destitute Of all the rcqui
sites for comfortable, healthy and agroeabl,
existence, and the successful conduct 0
the public business--is question whlel
promises TO attract and exact a larger por
ton of public consideration than Il ha
yet received, and which IL richly deserves
Gin. Eng.
"Whatls to DO dono?" Why, romov
tho seat Of Government. In addition Il
It's insalubrity, there are q score Of reason
why II should be removed. About yea
ago, We protested against It's removal /
Brookyilc on account Of the bad mora
atmosphere which Congress aud the dc
partments carry with them, but as som
place must be polluted with tho seat g
Government, or purify the officials, W
will withdraw our objection, and let II b
moved to Brookvillc. We will give IN
clio Sam 40 acres, In "llarrls's plat" ri
ready laid out. In lots Of sufficient siz,
putting in the Laurel whisky clause, tia
no whisky Is ever to BIO sold on the place
We might say much in favor Of tho local
Ity, but will not now.