The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-09-23

THE CAPITOL GRoUNDs.-Doubtless man y
Of our readers remember that Congress, du.
ring Its last session appropriated 1000 for
the purpose OF extending and teautifying the
Capitol grounds. On the 2sth OF July last a
large number Of men with horses and carts
went to work, through the directions of Ed
ward CLARK, architect of the United states
+. n. Moore, to execute the necessary labor
TO bring about this long-needed Improvement.
They hrst graded the square just north OF the
building which certainly ADDS greatly to the
moved the old board walk along tho south
side OF the building and a portion Of the iron
fence and brick pavement at the southwest
corner. They next removed the old refuse
| stones, which were thrown out when building
| the Capitol, and the dirt which came out OF
the basement Of the building, from the west
replacing il by good soil, III such a manner as
feet In height.
upon the public reservation, between Penn
| sylvania avenue and south A and last
Capitol and First street west. They pro-
pose to remove the stables and Office now
standing on the one north OF tho building,
and at an early day to enclose both of them
with handsome iron fences, when they will he
laid off In various sha apes aud planted In shrub
berry and choice flowers. The terraces will all
be sodded and everything so arranged, II com.
| pleted according to tho plan, as TO give n neat
and delightful Appearance to them.
| Messrs. Clark and Moore certainly deserve
great credit for the manner In which they have
managed this work, having in so short IA time
made such rapid progress, something rarely OF
ever known on public works. We regret that
| the amount appropriated 10 insufficient to
com plete this work, and trust that Congress
will make another during Its next session snf.
| hcicnt to carry out the design laid down.
FRgg LAND LEA0UE.-On Monday night y
| meeting was called at Ilarnonial Hall Wood
wards building) by Col. Win. WinslOw Ben.
nett, "Adjutant General pro TEN. - to form the
nNationsl Grand Central Frce-Iinnd League
The attendance was mcngre, indeed the mum.
Der present not exceeding twenty, notwith'
standing tho meeting had been c'tcnrively
At $ O'Clock the Colonel asccndci the roB.
trun, and producing al claboratcly-writtcn
document, (which he Iead,) laid before thr
meeting the call to form the "Frce-I.and
Learuc;n his proposed mode of furnishing
surplus labor with work-in short, giving
| land to the landess. His prOpusit ion is Ia
form subordinate frcc-land ioag CUES through
out tho United States, each one Of which shall
| elect delegate to z"FrcC-1.and Lcnguc Con.
| grcsr," to be held In New York on tue I'D ol
February, 1860; this Congress, ms the author
ized mouth-picce OF the workingmrn Of out
country, TO declare u free land platform, pledg
Ing support to any mnn or party who rules
| tho poor mans banner Of "land Tor the Land
| less" At the conclusion OF the reading OF III,
document, considerable debate ensued, she ma
iority of the speakers REGARDING the scheme M
| "moonshinc,h but the colonel warmly adyO
Gated his proposition. concluding by stating
that in July last he hau all attack OF sun-strUlit
| In teorgetown; and while prOBtrnird there
from, had reflected upon the causes OF his mis-
| fortune, and became convinced that 1t was he
cause OF the unequal division o lands, aud The
immense tracts OF uncultlvated lands held By
/ the moneycd aristocracy.
without accomplishing anything, the meet