Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-07

BUILDINGS (Dr. Blake) for 1889 in before N. ~
sentns matter OF much general interest to cur
community. III presents a summary view nj tn
repairs and Improvements Of the public buildinas
grounds, avenues, streets, bridges, &c under Ri,
eGo 10, the continuation Of the APP
proved portions Of the mall; a further and Anal
appropriation for filling NJ and 9radino Jndicia,n
sSnaie; the Improvement Of Franklin square. and
Nc triangular spaces, especially the three on
pennsylvania avenue, west of the Pre.ident,s
house, and several in the Northern Liberties; an
appropriation Tor gravelling the entire width Of
pennsylvania avenue east Of the Capitol; the erec-
uoh Oh new Jail, and the enlargement of the
courthouse; the construction Of a new bridge
across the Potomac on the site occupied by the
Long Bridge; the opening of Sixth street through
tne Inan an appropriation for painting the monu-
fnents erected to the memory Of members Of Con-
gresS In the Congressional cemeterv; cleaning out
The canal annually, to prevent sickness-one- half
the expense to be paid by the government. the
other by the corporation of Washington; and the
adoption of some definite unde rstandng as to the
Improvements to be respectively made by the gov
eminent and the city.
The old Senate chamber. and the rooms former
" occupied by the Secretary Of the Senate have
been turned over to the Supreme Court to be
converted into courtroom and offices II is
possession OF the new room to convert the present
courtroom into a law library, the room now
occupied being lily adapted to the purpose, and
not OF sufficient dimensions. An APPROXIMATION
for these objects only failed during the last ses
sioR of Congress for want Of time to consider II
Since the adjournment of Congress, ninety-six
AL
enth, and Twelfth streets through the mali for
which an appropriation was made at the last SEES
sion, ana which add much to the convenience
ana SAFETY OF persons passing to and from the nor
ton Of the city usually known as 1.-The Island ,,
IneIe are now i've hundred and sixteen govern
men. lamps In Washington, and one hundred and
hundred and twenty-six Iam1s which ,eceiys tbe
oUTo nc doehtlon or seven amplighters, who not
only Keep them clean and In order, but make
inO oSt Vi tue repairs required upon them
has
tne rlesioehts grounds and the basement of the
house IL Was deemed unadyisable To- car,v II
i 1e "ppef part OF the house, which is already
square. ''ii riohAiih
A few years ago, the late A. ]. Downing was
oneaseu 1y '9e resident Of the United States to
reservation known as the mall which extends from
the loot OF the Capitol to the Potomac at the site
OIL OIL, sne Mashiagton Monument. The plan which
examination and survey, was approved hv tn
PRESIDENT 1t contemplated succession of con
Hec,eo parks including the whole space, and af
ehIlre premises As part of this plan the north
erh portion OF reservation No = on which the
oitnsonlan Institution stands, was first graded
ana partially planted with trees under the imms
dldte direction of Mr.. DOWNING: lint on ,cconn,
OF the laInented death Of this DISTINGUISHED 0en.
ueIidn, tne work was suspended, although but
comparatively small portion remained to be fin
ished- Since then, the annual annronriatinn.
which have been made have not been suttir ient
even 10 preserve In proper condition what had
previously been done. An erroneous impyession
wniCn has become very prevalent fbst IT,
grounds belong to the Smithsonian Jnstitution
aud are under its Jurisdiction, has been the occa
the Institution for its supposed neglect in sniff
Ing them To remain unfinished and not k.ening
them In good condition. fs
Tie Smithsonian Institution is now one Of the
rromin mt Objects OF interest at the National Can
it'll, and, from the candid opinion of those who
are best qualified to Judge Of its character and
operations, 1t is faithfully and successfully dis
charging the duties assigned in the generous he
quest of its founder and it should not be subject,
to improper criticism for that over which # has no
control small appropriation would be sutf-
Client to finish this part of general plan for the
Improvement Of the mall, and nothing would be
more generally popular throughout the country.
IL would be a matter of economy to continue
the grading and planting of the unirnproved por-
tous of the mall. Works of this kind invariably
safer when left In an unfinished condition That
portion OF the mall lying between Twelfth and
Fourteenth streets has been very much DAMAGED
By heavy rains. 1t has been graded and planted
aud II the avenues and walks which are narked
out. Were made, with their Necessary cutters the
wlter would be carried off in proper channels
and no longer inf ct injury npon the newly
graded surface BY forcing outlet in almost every
direction.
city that will have to be inclosed and imnroved
by the Government. All on Pennsylvania avenue
between the Capitol and Georgetown, with the
exception Of three west OF the Presidents house,
handsome iron railing, and are suitably orpa-
mented with trees and shrubbery. There are
several In tfst prosperous and growing part of tho
to receive attention without delay. They afford
the only evidence of the want of that spi rit of
Improvement that has been manifested all around
them in fine, stately buildings and corresponding
adornments, wherever an opportunity was afforded
for their display. At present they are but nuisan-
ces, being convenient repositories for rubbish
aud trash
The necessity for a new Jail, and additional
accommodations for the several courts of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and the clerk s office becomes
more and more obvious every wear
sufficient appropriation should be made to
repair the Long Bridge thoroughly and perma-
nently, or a new bridge ought to be constructed
The latter would be wise policy. Provision
would have been made some years since for build
ing new bridge, but for toe d. iculty of select
in. site for it. The site Of the present bridge
appears to be the most eligible The route by it
Is the most direct and nearest to Alexandria and
roads have been made in Virginia to connect
with it. TO show the importance of the bridge
the draw-keePers, on the 18th July last, were re-
qnested oy tue Commissioner to keep an account
OF the travel over it, and from that time to the
10Th OF September, when travel over the bridge
was suspend, d, period Of two months and
hdii, thelf reports sIu up as follows: Persons,
cattle, 2,1s7. -''''' ""N
The drainage of at least one-third of the city is
conoucteo into the canal, and the consequence is
thdt dredging machine must be kept constantly
al WORK 10 prevent ii from being filled up nv the
sediment This is not only rendered necessary To
iS one cdnai In navigable order, but also as an
lhos pensaDle sanitary measure If the filthy sedi
meht Wnich nnds Its way into the canal should he
dllowed 10 accumulate until il conIa bs ,@,oto6
by the sun, 1t would become a source of male
nant disease In the very heart OF the civ The
canal should be cleaned out from ts bot.on ,,.,,1
which Is the only means of preventing it from
Produeiny disease and 1t can be- accom- plished at
d cost of six thousand dollars 'rbis sn n, g. $50
In comparison with the object designed to be at
aineo-sne preservation Of the health Of the city
but as small as it Is justice requires that ths
whole sum should not be paid by the city. The
sewers from the Presidents house, the Capitol
and all the other public buildings empty into the
canal, and it therefore seems but fair that the gov
eminent should bear it's proper proportion OF the
expense Of keeping it clean
The Corporation of Washington has made lib
eral provision for the erection Of a new market
house Oh the site now occupied by the Centre
market This will be an improvement that has
been long needed. The old building, for num-
Der OF years, has afforded but Indifferent shelter
TO the multitude that crowds into II on market
days, and Its shabby appearance has been the
cause OF severe and just reflection by strangers
upon the taste and public spirit Of the citizens Of