Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-06-13

pearance, accomplished by the COMMITTEES. and
was received with applause-every available
place In the cham her by this time having be-
come crowded by spectators-ani delivered
terms to the decPase OF James A. Gordon,
member Of the Board of Aldermen airing the
last council. ~ ~ 49, ,
ADDRESS or THE MAY Or
Gentlemen OF the Board OF Aldermen and
Board of Common Council Having for the
third time been called upon to. al ths positlon
of chief magistrate or the netr spplis OF the
4 MON, I cannot permit any, n u n tsss au oc-
casion like the present, to pass without making
grateful ackuo wiedgment 20 my fellow citizens
Tor their often expressed confidence ina me, and
Ps peciaily tor their marked approval of my
course during my last Official term.
The promo distinction again con ferred on ne
is such an expression of the onhdsnce of my
fellow citizens among whom my whole life
has been passed, that assume the response
bilities OF my position with greater assurance
OF 10Y ability to meet them and enter on new
term Of office better fitted to discharge its utes.
At the same time permit me to express my
thanks for the Kindness and corporation re-
ceived from the mem bers of both boards of the
City Councils during the term OF mayoraIty
lust expired, and with " HON 1t was a pleasure
TO act in protecting tbs interests and promoting
the welfare OF the city. I1EE- =
Those of you who were my associates during
that period In the MANAGEMENT of the city's
ass urance that Your past services have been
most properly appreciated; and those of you
who have just come into the Councils are
known to he gentlemen worthy OF the conf
dence of those they represent and will take
pleasure in cooperating with Older members
of the Councils in the general improvement
and advancement of our common city.
am we'll satisfied that all that can will be
dcne for the welfare Of the community whose
interests you have to- day taken In charge, and
whose well being, convenience and comfort
You have undertaken to provide for.
The beginning OF this municipal year dnds
the nation still rent by civil war and discord,
the General Government compelled to make
exactions upon the means OF all who desire q
perprtuation OF free institutions, and our city,
ID common with the rest OF the loyal portion of
the country, has been called On to bear her pro-
portion of the burden.
Happily, the alacrity with which our young
men Volunteered, in the first ana greatest
moment of danger to the nations city, reduced
the claim OF the Federal Government upon US,
and through the appropriate on OF money by the
last Councils, the liberalitv of its citizens, and
the energy OF those entrusted with the bounty
fund, W ashington has been relieved from the
apprehension OF forcible conscrip'ion under
any, of the present calls of tho President for
troops to aid In the suppression OF the rebel.
lion.
We have therefore the proud satisfaction of
with as much alacritv and at less expense than
any other portion Of the Union, sileu cling for
ever, hope, the imputations so loudly and
IT. QnentIy cast upon our 10y atty.
This is not the occasion, nor have the time,
to direct your attention, or you the patience to
listen to. statement in detail OF all the mat
trrs of interest connected with the ADMINISTERS
ticn OF the city government which should en-
gage your attention during the coming session
Of the City Councils.
Will, however, embrace this opportunity
to enlie hten the community on a subject OF the
greatest Importance. upon which those VINO
should he better advised are very ignorant:
THE RELATIONS OF THE GENERAL GOVERN
MENT TO THE CITY OF WARRINGTON.
The soil upon " hich the city stan DIS was Sc
lected tor the, seat of the Genersl Government
1st Because of its geographical position be-
tween the North and the South.
ID. The access to 1t from the ocean.
Sd. Its distance In the interior and towards
the West.
government is indicated In the Constitution,
which provides that Congress shall "exercise
exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever
over such District (not exceeding ten miles
square) a may by cession Of particular States
and the acceptance Of Congress become the
seat Of Government OF the United States"
To accomplish this object the District was
coded by the States OF Maryland and Virginia,
sioners were appointed In 1870 by the then
Persistent, General Washington, under author
ity OF CONGRESS, and empowered "to survey
and, by proper metes and bounds, define this
territory, and to purchase or accept such guam.
tity Of land on the eastern side Of the Potomac
river, within such District as the President
States, and, according to such plans as the
President shall approve. provide suitable
buildings and accommodations for Congress,
the President and for the public ofaces Of the
Government"
While a succession Of hills and valleys, the
site Of this city was selected as the permanent
that portion of the District Of ten miles SO uare
coded by the State Of Maryland.
The owners of the soil hereabouts gave to the
General Government not only enough tor the
atr nd nf IN Oh N
and extent, but likewise every alternate build
ing lot, and nominally sold to the United States,
at the minimum price Of f25an acre. or 1896, O99,
all the large reservations on which those mon
uments of the nations grandeur-its public
buildipgs-stand.
or the 7,l34 acres of land comprising the
tame as free gin, and without the cost of q
doll6r-
For streets and avenues. SOC acres
1916 building lots ..............l,5Vs
And nominally purchased. ......... 512 I" BIT
5,s2s
Leaving to the proprietors Of the
soil every alternate lot. .1,5oS
7,14 q"
At the same time the General Government
assumed and from that time, ITO til 1872. by
its then commissioners, and from 1902 to 1912
by the successors Of those commissioners,
superintendent and mayor, Mr.. Brent.) ap-
pointed by the President of the United States,
exercised entire and absolute control not only
over all the streets and avenues of this city but
like wise all municipal as well as Federal ju-
risdiction over its citizens, and even 70 the
present time the General Government claims
and exercises through its Commissioners OF
Public Buildings jurisdiction and absolute con-
irol over ell the avenues as distinguished from
the streets. to the extent OF closing one of them,
al d s. ling The ground which fOrmed 1t, and
changing streets and the canal, and retaining
to ifs eli lots created thereby.
These publ authorities, the Com missionera,
under tie direction Of the (thenl President.
General Washington, conceived the design OF
city, and plan Of the Federal Capital AID
Eation'sCity was submitted by Gen. Wash.
inRton in 1891, a city for the magnificent CAPT.
tai of the great nation we have become, with
extraordinary reservations tor the public use
and public buildings, with streets and avenues
W it'll q width snd extent such as no community
bad there heen one to consult, would have
thought Of, and which was adopted by Con-