Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-10-26
Gear Any Good Thing Come Ont Of Naza.


"Cap Any Coed Thing Come Out Of Naza.
Teth .r-Ko. 2.
What causes have eonspired TO place and
Keep Washing gson IN a condition OF non .sd
vaBcementi
10 One Of the principal causes, il no. tn.
oyershadowing reason, for the status of Wash
ineton may readily be found an the anomalous
relation Of the governed 20 the governing
powers. Set apart by the whole country "a 3
capital, its la ws, rights, privileges and necessi
ties are dependent upon the will Of Congress
and require the slow machinery of a iecis stature
too much engrossed in BaiionSl affairs 10 give
unsolicited attention 10 local laws. ca And as
incident TO this, the division OF dere ated a q :
thorify under the acts Of Congress for the gov :
ernment OF the District OF Colum oia, has te nd ed
ID emearrass enterprise and retard Improve
ment by reason Of the underlined .spowers in
reserve" Local" matters are assigned TO a
Corporation elected by citizens,--but "locaI, :
In this latitude, means certain (or uncertain
spots. squares, streets, or alleys.
q Ii, by accident, IN the execution of a work
by the corporate power, "Governmenr'
building, reservation or avenue should inter
vene, tmmediateiy all authority OF the citizens
Buildings assumes jurisdiction. Happy is il
for the comfort Of the resident population IL
That functiopary be in posses ion OF an zap
propriatlen from which be can draw to carry
on the work-otherwIse that portion must b.,
left undone until Congress shall see proper TO
legielate and appropriate.
Suppose, notwithstanding this diffil ulty, ,
that the local power continues the improve
ment OF work begun by il, avoiding the pub
lie property, il must be careful to confine Its
labor within proper bounds; for, if it reach
,hor1iy1 Cbonndsfy street, street a htrd poUer ghe Levy
without the solemn official assent OF that
body" Travelling in another direction
Georgetorn exercises the veto privilege, and
wrathfully snubs the neigh boring "village"
for daring TO interfere with the prerogatiyes
OF the "Rock Greek Oty." Finally, power
number fve-the Board of Police Commis-
sioners-turns the farce into tragedy by ar
resting all parties engaged IN the la Dor. because
the diminished condition OF the work creates a
nuisance! ..f
Is it uncharitable to suggest that the Police
Board may possibly have a correct idea Of the
(3) Another cause OF stagnation in Washing
Ton IL the absence OF codiffed laws. applica-
bic TO the present period. The District of Col
umbia (generaD laws are either statutes enact
ed BY Congress or the unwrItten common law
OF England (which was IN force In Maryland
and Virginia prior to lsCs." OF the latter many
strictive, and nearly all are unadapted to the
Wants, necessities and Advancement of the
community. The former (statutes) consists OF
enactments having principally in view the re-
qulrements OF Z nited States OH cials or of Fed
eral property. Occasionally, after long delays
and much exertion, an Incorporated company
may be organized-a corporate privilege NAV
be extended, or an avenue be paved-but such
the isolated case specially provided for. No
grants OF authority calculated TO further the
wants Of the people as merchants, as manufae-
turers, as mechanics, as laborers, exist No ia
cihties possessed by other cities of the Union }
for speedy collection of debts, prompt transfers
OF real estate, negotiable mortgages, general in
corporations, limited partnerships, regulations
of principal and interest, &c, can be applied
for want of legislative authorization.
The poor man fears to buy-the capitalist de-
ciines 10 take real estate, because few or no
titles are perfect Whole squares of ground
lie idle, unproductive and unimproved-gen-
orally receptacles for filth or stagnant water
because Of flaws in ownership. illegal tax sales,
or disputed possession. Master mechanics of
limited means but of known business intsg-
rtty are unable to move forward because their
securities-good as gold and eagerly sought
after In any other market-are not negotiable at
home. Promissory notes, legitimately secured
on property worth ten times their amount, are
worthless in Washington because OF the un-
certainly, the feudal tendency. or the non -ap
plicability OF the laws in force in this +" five
pronged" capital. RYINAP