Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-07

Mr.. Blaine moved that it be laid upon the
table. This was agreed to-yess -, nays S.
Report Of Secretary Usher-District Mat
We have received a copy of the interesting
and able report Of Secretary Usher OF the In
terror Department, but are able to. day to give
space only to some extracts In relation to Dis
trict matters. Secretary Usher says:
1.-The report of the Commissioner OF Public
buildings presents many details OF interest to
the citizens and residents OF this District, and
contains information in respect to the manner
in which various appropriations for local pur
poses have been applied The condition OF the
streets and avenues OF Washington city Is
matter of frequent and Just complaint The
United States has never assumed any general
jurisdiction OF the subject, although appropri-
ations for improving the avenues have been
frequently made.
The city authorities, apparently relying
upon the nberalIty OF Congress, have alb
stained from making expenditures in improv-
ing and opening streets commensurate with
the constant increase OF population and bust
ness. This state of affairs is likely TO continue
until a definite arrangement is established be-
tween the government and the city in relation
10 the matter under consideration. / therefore
renew the recommendation made last year,
that street commissioners should be appointed
TO determine the description and extent of the
annual repairs and improvements to avenues,
streets and alleys; and that the funds requisite
should be provided by the United States and
property holders of Washington, moved by
Just pride in the prosperity and beauty of the
city, will not hesitate 10 tax themselves liber-
orally TO maintain a constant and efficient sys-
tenn of street improvement. The present rate
OF municipal taxation, for all purposes, is
a5out enc per centum on real and personal
property, which is less than is paid in any
other city with which am acq uainted. The
taxpayers here are not charged with the eX-
pense Of maintaining a State government, or
those Institutions of benevolent character
ctni,,
mites, and they will not shrink from taxation
for local purposes, when their property is
yielding rate of income equalled in few other
cities and towns of the country.
The propriety OF these remarks is still more
apparent, when 1t is considered that the ex-
penses Of the judicial tribunals for both civil
and criminal business, and OF the police force,
are principally paid by the Government, and
are not charged to the property holders OF the
city or District. Recognizing, however, the
duty OF the Government to make provision for
the improvement and repair of streets extend.
ing through public grounds, and TO aid in keep
ing in suitable condition, such as are in front
OF the public buildings, would respectfully
recommend that provision be made by Con-
gress for paving + street, between eth and 9th
streets. The Nicholson pavement, by reason
Of its durability, smOothness, and elasticity,
has met with marked favor. In view OF the
probability that measures VIII be adopted by
Ccne ress providing some plan for suitably
paw g Pennsylvania avenue. and other prin-
cipa thoroughfares of the city, have Obtained
sen payement in F street, along the southern
front Il the building occupied by this Depart
II, Mt
s.BS ONT resolution No. Sc, of June, 1861, the
Secret ~ Of the Interior was, among other
thing directed to prevent the improper ap-
prop ZION or occupation of any of the public
street &c, IN the city of Washington. One
OF the oiects OF this resolution evidently was
tc pre-. Mt the re- building of the Centre Market
house non its present site. Notice was accor-
dingi YEA to the authorities of the city to de-
ST
jus D",. commenced, and they thereupon sus-
rsA"f', ne work upon it, The authorities
ms, u a commendable disposition to make
this ssary improvement in such place and
mann 4 viii meet the appreciation OF Con-
gress
- { subs tan,ial and rapid progress Of the
city fGT thu last three years, its Increasing and
energetic population, and the certainty Of its
!ItuIe osperity, evince the importance of
mime dia action. having for its object the i'm
provence of it's sewerage, the cleansing OF the
cansi--so as to correct, as far as possible, its
prescIt unwhoiesome ant offensive condition
and IT, aGornment OF the reefs and public
grour :, thereby making the metropolis Of the
nat!oI heatthy and attractive. To that end, Ia
addition to the suggestions contained in my
last animal report, Ii is recommended that
Congress provide by law for the removal of
the Cenle Market.house from It's present site
and The extension OF the Smithsonian grounds
to Pennsylvania avenue, 1t is also ad vissd
that the public reservations bordering on the
canal ard adjoining the Smithsonian grounds
be added thereto.
zine enlarged area winch the proposed
change would give to these grounds, their
adornment by the planting of trees and shrub.
berry, and the erection Of fountains, would
add greatly to the comfort health, and
be most agreeable and attractive to transient
visitors. The space occupied by the canal
from III street to 9th street and the contiguous
reservation would afford ample room for the
marke5 house. The expense of making this
space available is not worthy OF consideration
in view Of the substantial Dement'S to be OBJ.
to the Avenue 1t is believed that Congress
may, without interfering with any right of the
city CT Washington, make such disposition of
the canal as it shall deem proper; and if it
should De determined to extend the sewer, now
being INSTRUCTED through the botanic garden,
along nd in the canal to the river, and to fill
up tn sesidue of the canal, there can be but
little omit that the grounds thus reclaimed
for building and other purposes will be equal
III VI ue to the expense OF the improvement"
Con cerning the Jail, the Secretary makes the
folio nfllg important recomme ndation:
i ;iaye considered carefully the suggestion
of t.,e warden, that ample means for he con-
strrc ZION OF such building, m ght be obtained
by - sale OF the vacant square on which the
jail 0w stands. This square, near TO the
Gap. -ui and Smithsonian grounds, will not he
nec'es airy Tor identifying the city, or for af-
ford!ug 1t ample ventilation. According TO an
est, ate which has been submitted to me, it
co. ANS d35,2e6 square feet Of ground, which,
If I'd Uf iii lots and sold. would at present
pr 5 command large sum. The new jail
m : MT be located upon the square on which the
CiGy Hall stands, in the rear of that building
II rected after the most approved modern
piaI il would not prove detrimental to private
property, whilst the erection of dwellings or
b .dings for business purposes, upon the
So are, which it is proposed to sell, would
ter greatly to enhance the value Of private
property in the vicinity.
= The warden OF the jail, and the grand jur
th:.t served at the June term OF the court, as
veil as the police commissioners, have called
at enlion TO the large number of Juvenile often.
IS in the District, and to the great improprie-
the Jail more depTaved than when they enterei
il. The recommendation made last year in
favor OF the erection of 4 house OF correction
Tor such Offenders Is respectfully renewed. 1t
slIuuio be so regulated as to combine punish
mant with means OF instruction and reform.
Tnsnecessity for the erection of penitantiary
IL this District was fully set forth IN the last
annual report of this Department. Additional
ha O n no Soti