Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-11
CENTRIFUGAL oRCENTRIPETAL.

Ten Fortiss, 81; Certificates, 97S; Gold, Ii4X
CENTRIFUGAL Or CENTRIPETAL.
The question Of the consolidation of the cities
of Georgetown and Washington and the coun.
ty has been lately revived, and considerable
has been said pro and con. The proposition
has taken a variety Of forms, some advocating
the consolidation Of the three places under a
territorial governor, and with a territorial
delegate in Congress, and maintaining that such
a contamination would be a sovereign remedy
for al! the ills that District flesh is heir to.
Among thinking citizens, however this plan
the people to support such government, it is
foreseen that under such an organization the
District would have even less voice in Con-
gress than now. We are now Represented In
Congress by District committee in each
House, who can more certainly obtain the ear
of Congress, and influence legislation, than that
nondeScript, no account individual, without
status or the slightest influence, a territorial
delegate. Under the style Of appointment
IN vogue, the officials appointed to govern
the District would almost certainly be strangers
having not the slightest sympathy with the peo-
pie of the District or knowledge oftheir wants
Other plans for District government by ap-
pointsnent are even more impracticable or OBJ
lection able, contemplating making the people
of the District mere voiceless machines, with
out votes or representation, and having no
other right Of citizenship left than the inalien-
able right to pay taxes. Nor is it thought that
the heretofore action Of Congress in regard to
District affairs for which 1t was already re.
sponsible, has given any cause for believing
that it would, IL wholly charged with our af.
fairs, do better by us than we have done for
ourselves. The manner in which Congress
has neglected the avenues Of the city under its
exclusive control, while the city has inaugu.
rated general system Of first class paving:
the manner in which the miserable Govern
mentally managed hydrants have flooded
Pennsylvania avenue for a twelve month the
Governmental quagmires in Virginia avenue,
street leading direct from the upper Depart
ments to the Navy Yard; the woe begone look
of Maryland avenue, graduating directly from
the Capitol riverward, and the most conspic.
uous street In Washington,) filled with ruts,
mudholes, piles Of railroad ties, old railroad
iron, governmental railroad shanties, &C., &c;
the manner in which Congress has failed year
after year to provide for paving in front OF de-
partmental buildings, and the fact that this
abused Corporation has had to advance the
money 70 the Commissioner Of Public Build
ings to do such work; the manner in which
Congress has failed to provide for the repair Of
the Long Bridge, and the fact that this much
abused Corporation has had to advance the
money to the Commissioner Of the Public
Buildings to do such repairs; the similar man
ner in which Con gress has failed to make ap-
preparations for the repair Of its own avenue
crossings, and for which this much abused Cor
poratiOn has bad to ad vance the money, coupled
with the fact that Congress year after year has
failed to make good the monies advanced on
these several occasions, and also has wholly
failed TO make returns for the sales of city lots,
are a few Of the items going to discourage the
idea that the city will fare better in the hands
Of Congress than under its own control.
The only proposition Of the set that seems to
meet with any general favor is that proposing
to consolidate Georgetown, Washington and
the county into one municipality, electing its
own municipal officers. The example of Phil
adelphia and other cities has been cited to show
the advantages Of such consolidation, and
many have been favorably impressed with the
proposition. But we learn that the recent
hostile legislation towards the District init
ated in Congress by Senators Sumner and
" AIDE and others, has caused thorough
change OF sentiment In Georgetown and the
county, AID movement has been organized in
Georgetown Of a centrifugal rather than a
centripetal character. 1t is now proposed by
the people Of Georgetown TO separate wholly
from Washington, and seek retrocession to
Maryland, in view Of the possibility Of the
passage by Congress Of negro suffrage and
negro Juror bills, coupled with such penalties
for the rejection Of negro votes as visiting upon
the offending parties Imprisonment for thirty
days on bread and water, as provided by Sem
ator W AIDES humane bill. The indications are.
therefore, that Georgetown and the county
will not incline to unite their fortunes 10 ours.
but viii seek to the utmost OF their power
retrocession to Maryland.
So far, however, as the hostile legislation
above mentioned as threatened is concerned
We believe such fears may be dismissed We
know that very many members have, since
their arrival here, expressed the kindest feeling
towards the people Of the District. They note
with qualification the handsome street improve.
ments, and other improvements, made by the
city since the last session, and are not chary Of
giving their opinion that Congress can do no
less thaA make corresponding improvement
of its avenues, and in other ways show a dis.
position to make the capital Of the nation
worthy of the nation. We believe that Con.
gress will pass no hastily prepared bills affect
ing the status Of the negro in the District, and
will legiSlate upon all such matters with due