The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-12
CITY INTELLIGENCE.


1uE DlsrRIor CoLUnBiA. Secretary Thompson dwes
with more than ordinary interest in his report upon Dis
trict matters lie shows the relation which the govern
susans towards the District of Columbia under the
constitution, and the various that have been
adopted to for Il proper system of laws He has
looked in vain into the past legislation of Congress
certain il deteninae line of policy had been adopted
in relation to objects of appropriation in the city OF Wash
ington He discovered that Congress had from time to
time made appropriations for almost every conceivable
object that it impossible for him to determine
what class of improvements is bound to
make and what the city He is satisfied if this
tainy could be removed, and clear understanding had
as to the relative duties OF the and city in the
expenditure OF money for improvements that the pros
perty of the city would be greatly promoted. Although
the subject enyironed with difficulties he Of the opin
ion that Congress ii disposed adopt such line Of
policy will subserve all practical purposes No
doubt that if the relation which the government
and the city respectively sustain the various improve
ments that TO be made Defined the city would
reap the fruits of il in regular system of improvements
carried on by both parties to adorn and beauty and
supply the usual and necessary convenences of city
The Secretary does not hesitate to declare that the
and open spaces belonging to the United States
ought to be enclosed and handsomely improved by the
government the condition of the treasury will
admit OF the expenditure This is just and honest
view of the subject, and it is difficult to perceive how
any air-dealing person entertain any other view
Secretary Thompson is of the opinion that opening gra
ding paving, and lighting streets and avenues construct
ing and drains the erection Of markets. support
of police and whatever necessary for cleanliness and
health objects which should properly claim the at
tention of the city authorities and that the expenditures
ncared account of them should be raised by taxation
in the usual way. He, however following the instincts
of controlling of justice, makes the follow
ing suggestion g Whether the government rs
property holder should contribute to these ends in
proportion to its interest in the city, is qucs-
ton which addresses itself exclusively the discre
ton of the national legislature" Considering the
large interest which the government has in the prop
ety of the city, being nearly equal in value to all the
taxable property, it is than just that the gov
eminent should bear due proportion OF the expense
for the objects designated by the Secretary Whether
would be better for the government TO submit to taxa
ton, to make appropriations from time to time for
such improvements may prefer for Congress to
determine,
The extension of the courthouse and the erection of
Jail subjects which, in the estimation OF the
Secretary, commend themselves to the consideration Of
Congress Although it is usual he says for such build
ngs to be erected by the people for whose convenience
they designed yet, there under the
existing state of things for raising the necessary funds
the Secretary is of opinion that the expense ought to
be borne by the general government law passed
thorzng tax to be levied for the purpose upon the
whole District 1t is presumed that Washington would
not object to the tax, but the submission could
not justly be expected OF Georgetown and the county
They would most likely regard it a tax for the
benefit of the city, and would resist the passage
through Congress of any such law by all fair and honor
able The only method of securing the necessary
accommodations for the courts and prison. which
much needed, for Congress to make appro-
priaon for the purpose The court house and the jail
belong to the government The courts United States
courts, and the prison United States prison and why
the government should not stain the expense of extend
ing the court house and erecting Jail cannot well
be perceived
The Secretary views in relation to the city will doubt
less acceptable to citizens and will be re-
garded by the country at large just and proper They
evidently the result of mature reflection and of de-
sire to arrive Mt an impartial and just conclusion If
Congress will entertain them in the candid spirit in which
they presented and discussed and upon them with
determination to do what is right and fair there can
be doubt but that ample Justice will be done the city