Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1865-12-15

enlargement Of the library of Congress,
so as 10 include in two wings, built fire.
proof, thespaee at either endOfthe present
library. The thenarchitect Ofthe CapftoI
extension prepared 20 the requisite plans
and specifications for the work. Compe-
tition wa invited by newspaper etreula-
ton in several Of the large cities Of the
Union, and a contract for the labor and
materials awarded to a responsible party
for the sum of one hundred and forty-six
thoasanddoliars, ~beingfourteen thousand
dollars less than that appropriated by
Congress. The work, although DELAYED
by unforeseen causes, has been faithfully
and successfully prosecuted, and It's COM
pletion will not long be deferred. Addi-
tiOnai expenditure must be incurred for
the introduction of water into the library,
the cutting OFF and replacing the gas
/ pipes which supplied the building and
passed through the wings which will be
occupied by the library, and other Incl
dental alterations which were not antici-
pated and specified by the architect, but
which, as the work progresses, are found
TO be necessary.
After a suspension ofnearly four years,
! theWork on the north portion Of the In
/ terror Department has been resumed
under a contract made in the year 1851.
] Inc HIltt VI AdnDI anu AAA1lEAALl CURING
the intervening period had so largely
increased as, in the opinion of the archi-
teet, 20 render the contract entirely I'M
remunerative. therefore gave the con-
tractors the option of abandoning the
contract, or prosecuting the work at the
rate il prescribes. An estimate has been
submitted Of the amount requisite to
finish the pOrtico, iron fence and pave
ment.
The saloon of the north front of the
department has been appropriated for
the use of the Patent Office, and fitted
up with eases. They are designed for the
exhibition and safe keeping of models,
and are of the most approved materials
and workmanship. An appropriation is
necessary 60 meet outstanding accounts
and to complete the saloon.
The Government Printing Office has
| been enlarged and extended agreeably to
an act of the last Congress, making pro-
vision for that purpose, and for capacity
/ and convenience, is believed to be now
unsurpassed by anysimilar establishment
in the country.
DISTRICT AFEAIBs.
The power conferred on CongressOf ex-
| elusive legislation for the District OF Col
umbia imposes the corresponding duty Of
making just and adequate provision for
its welfare. Its local interests, 50 liable
to be overlooked in the midst of subjects
of more general and engrOssing concern
fall TO some extent within the province
of this Department, and require a special
allusiOn.
The annual report of the Commissioner
of Public Buildings gives a detailed ac-
count of the expenditures authorized by
Congress within this District. I have
also received a communication from the
Mayor of the City of Washington, which
/ have directed to be printed. These
papers present important facts and con
sideratiOns which merit the attention Of
the legislative department.
The controlling object in the original
design Of this city vas the accommOda-
ton of the public interests which it was
anticipated would cluster about the cap
italof a great nation. Accordingly, only
three thousand and sixteen of the seven
thousand one hundred and thirty-four
acres composing its entire area We're sur
veyed into lots for sale to individuals.
The remainder embraces streets, avenues
of inordinate width, squares, circles and
public reservations. By the adoption of
this design, it is manifest that it was not
intended that the sparse population thus
provided for should bear the burden of the
entire cost Of the local improvements, re-
quired more for International convenience
than for that of the permanent residents.
At the last assessment the National Gov
eminent owned real estate within the
city limits to the value of SIS, I21, G3I IS,
a sum nearly equal to the estimated
worth Of all individual property in the
city. At the usual rate of taxation this
--.-II w-s.VI a = EDTn
9l2 %. The Mayor suggests that such a
tax, in connection with the present re
sources, would yield a revenue amply
sufficient, improve the streets and ave
nues, make provision for the INDECENT,
and maintain a complete system Of pub
lie schools.
In the year 1920, Congress provided
that, from the proceeds ofthe sale of pub
lie lots, reimbursement should be made
to the City of Washington Of an eguita-
bic proportion Of the expenses there
after incurred in laying open, paving,
and otherwise improving the streets and
avenues adjacent TO the public squares
and reservations. / am informed that
since the pgssage If this act, three thru
sand seven hundred and twenty-five lots
Of this class have been sold and the pro-
ceeds paid into the Treasury o. the
United States, while no reim-
bursement has been made TO the city
for the sum Of thirty-seven thousand
four hundred and ten dollars and sixty
one cents paid for properly
chargeahle 10 this fund. An a%ppropria-
ton should be made for refunding this
amount and the interest which has ac-
crued thereon. During the pastsummer
and fall the improvement Of streets adj
tothe public property has rendered
the government liable TO a considerable
amount, and an additional sum viii be
needed TO meet similar expenses which
will probably be incurred dUringthe next
fiscal year. It is hoped that Congress
will at an early date make provision to
meet these liabilities. Several of the
streets of Washington have been paved
i'm a neat and substantial manner since
the adjournment of Congress, and the
municipal authorities are making like
improvements upon other streets, which
will add greatly both to their beauty and
their utility as public thorOughfares. 1t
is submitted that Congress should en-
courage this spirit by corresponding im-
proVements upon the avenues. The
Commissioner Of Public Buildings refers
to the dilapidated condition of the pave
mant on Pennsylvania avenue, and re-
commends that an appropriation be
made by Congress for the substitution of
either the Belgian or the Nicholson pave
ment throughout its length, and also for
opening and grading Of such of the re-
naming avenues leading to the capitol
remain closed. These avenues are un-
der the exclusive control of COngress, and
seems imperatively tOrequire that
The National Government should defray
H. II v,z-fVr . mi lEaanfnor fIfar4n i
in repair. If the burden Of paving the
avenues, as well as the streets,
IS to be thrown upon the owners of con-
-iguous property, the Mayor suggests
that the law be so amended as to reduce
the width Of the carriage-ways, and that
The intervening space between them and
-he pavement be fianked with a line of
:urbstones, sOdded, and planted with or
namental shade trees.
recommend that the law authorizing
a local tax for sewerage be so amended
rs 20 enable the city to levy the same
equitahly upon all property benefited
1y such improvement. A general sys-
tenn of sewerage should at onc be
by the city, the expense OF
which should be borne in part by the
Government.
Invite the attention of Congress to
he views Of the Mayor touching the
ocality occupied by the Center market.
For long time this space has been dis
figured by dilapidated and unsightly
iheds and stalls, calleda "MarketH House. p
The city, in the belief that it was author
zed to appropriate the ground, mace
Efforts to replace these by a commodiOus
building of correct architectural proper
ions, properly furnished for the public
accommodations. Its erection had been
commenced, but the work was suspended
n compliance with the supposed require
nents of a joint resolution, approved
lune 30, 1864, authorizing the Secretary
the Interior to reclaim and preserve
certain property Of the United States. l
Commend the subject TO your considera-
ion. with a view to such legislation as
he convenience of the city and the
interests of the public require.
The MAYORS communication also calls
to the fact that the youths of J
he District are largely in excess of the !
.ccommodation which can be furnished
hem in the public schools. No doubt !
of them are receiving education in !
private Institutions; but it is feared that
are absolutely destitute of the
of instruction. All experience
demonstrates that virtue and thrift are !
ne natural results of education, while l
,amerism. vice, and crime are the legit- .
fruits of ignorance and that il is :
more economical to maintain schools :
S a preventative, than to support the .