Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-12-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

probability that Congress will, at Its present
session, authorize the construction of the pro-
posed railroad along Pennsylvania avenue and
Bridge street, Georgetown, from the west gate
of the Capitol grounds to High street, lin George
town. causes much excitement Just now among
various parties DESTROYS Of being interested in
rise to the circulation of multitude Of mon
strous stories, and the CARING Of any number
of schemes connected with the subject. Among
them 10 scheme before the City Councils to
obtain the privilege for the Corporation of
Washington, of which We have no favorable
opinion; because, if 90 undertaken, the work
cannot fail to become q nero jobbing affair for
spectators in municipal plumber. Such has
been the case with similar works when in the
hands of municipal corporations everywhere;
and there is certainly no reason to suppose that
the fate of similar undertaking in this city
in such hands will be any better. Besides cost
ing far more than when constructed by indi-
viduals, city railroads when so constructed and
managed have been never-failing source Of
increased taxation rather than of the profit pre-
dicted from them; for, from beginning to end,
they are but the pasture grounds on which the
small politicians of each party in power may,
In turn, browse, thus tending amazingly to per-
manent corruption in municipal affairs. We
believe that large majority of our fellow-citi-
Gems of the District, and especially property
holders on either side of the streets through
which it is proposed that il all be construct
are in favor of its being buit-the plain result,
of experience elsewhere Of the convenience and
economy of such work in an American city
points of great importance to the communities
enjoying the advantages of their use.
We further believe that the great mass of
the people of the District take no interest
whatever in the question as to whom Congress
shall delegate the power to make the railroad,
provided they be parties likely to prosecute
the work vigorously, to manage it in a bust
nes'-like way and with an eye to the public
accommodation and provided, further, that
due care be taken to subject 1t to the control
of the municipal authorities as to the amount
OF taxation to which the parties owning it shall
be subjected, for municipal purposes, and tho
rates Of fare they shall be entitled to charge
1t is but just that, whoever may eventually
obtain the right to construct and operate the
work, shall pay the public fairly for their priv
ilege Of so doing while it is no less proper that
Congress shall take due care to put it wholly
out of their power to charge the public exorbi-
tant rates. With these points duly secured,
We believe the District at large would not CAFE
the snap Of finger as to whom among them Con-
gress may delegate the right to build and oper-
ate the road-as if constructed, it must neces sa-
rily be delegated to some parties or other unless
the General Government itself ventures upon
the experiment of building and operat ing it
thing not to DO dreamed of.
The HoUsE.-In the whole course OF our ex-
tensive experience with Congress, we never be-
fore knew the House to spring to substantial bus.
mess with SO much earnestness so early in the
sion, as last, and this week. The fact is han,
binger OF very industrious session. The i'm
mense amount ofimportant business pressing on
the body for consideration, of course has much
- do with the change in their habit thus in.
volved. Yet much credit for it is dou btless also
due to the pee uliar construction of their new
hall, which enables all to SEQ and hear what
ever any one else in 1t does and says Unlike
their old ball, it contains no lounging Hobbies
out OF the main body of the main chamber: nor
Is 1t convenient, as that was, for any thing
save strict attention to the business actually
up Tor consideration. These things may an.
pear small matters, though they certainly are
very effective in superinducing stricter atten-
ton, on the part Of all, to current business
and thus they iHspirit all the members to de.
vote themselves while in the hall to the lepiti.
mate matters of their sessions.
COURT OF INQUIRY.-A court of iuouiry ia IN
assemble at West Point on the 18th inst. ,o
investigate complaint by Lieut.. James st. C.
Morton, against Professor Dennis II. Mabap-
oil the Military Academy. The court will con-
SYST OF Col. Robert Z. Lee, Major Robert An.
derson, Capt Randolph B. Marcy. Can't. Sam
uei Jones will act as judge advocate.
An ERRoR.-Some of our contempora,v ves-
terday, in noticing the death of Capt. James
n. Ward, Of the third infantry, U. S. A., sub
'tituted for the name Of the deceased that of
James N Caldwell, of the first infantry. who
is, as far as known, alive and we'll at his most
Of duty.
NORTHERN OVERLAND ROUrH.-Aecounts
from Washington Territory state that the com
Pany from Iowa, under Samuel s. Curtis. have
arrived at Ansora, on Cherry creek, and report
favorably of the gold mines there. Thew are
building their houses and preparing for winter
NAvAL.-Capt Farragut has received o,d.,,
to take command of the new steam sloon of
war Brooklyn, built by westcrvelt, at Nav
York, which will be ready for her trial trip bv
the lsf OF January next. She will be sent to
the Gulf.
EXAMINATION OF SMALL ARMs.-A hoard
Of Gel. Johnston, Lieut.. Col. Bu.
chanan, Lieut.. Col. steptoe, Capt. Dyer and
Lieut. Wilcox, is ordered to convene at Fort
Monroe, for the purpose Of making experiment,
with small arms.
The SENArE's Printing CoxxIrrKx-Tb.
President of the Senate has appointed Senator
Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, to fll the va.
eancy oecasioned by the recent declension of
that position BY Senator Clingman.