Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-10-22
THE DEPOT QUESTION. AND OTHER
MATTERS.

uares II the city LeceSSltates change in the
grade C the Baltimore i Ohio Railroad, Is the
established grade upoa- the plsts and surveys
q: I'll city y very different from the one upon
winch the Company track is laid; and whilst
II Is 10. our wish TO embarrass or interfere with
the interests G: the Company we are glad to
learn hat The Mayor OF " ashingtOn has ken
9eCIded stand il relation TO this SUBJECT. and in
ihr interview which took place day or two
since between himself and President Garrett
90 thP Baltimore - Ohio Railroad. caused i. 10
b. distinctly understood that IN this matter the
interests CT the cry were paramount to all OH.
srs. sEd must br ceHformed TO DO matter what
ILhUerce= nigh, BE- brought TO bear
We hail this determination with pleasure
and hope that the Mayor may be successful in
secUriLg the removal of the present depot sew.
eIal squares northward-in fact, as near to the
boundary lines OF the city as is possible. Ii
could never have been the intention of the
founders OF Washington that this depot should
have been thrust, so to speak, directly under
the walls Of the nations great Capitol that
the shrek OF the locomotive should resoupd
within Its legislative halls, or that the enclo-
sures Of the public grounds should BE- the scene
o; boisterOus wTangling for passengers by that
II uCh-abused class yclept hackmen, which will
b. the case when the plan for the extension of
the CaPitoi grounds is earned into effect.
Nl>ICf tntNTlng washington DIV TAIL
from the North-the usual approach-sees the
city on rs worst side, and the impression sure
TO b. an untavorable one. From the outskirts
o; the city 10 the railroad station, on New Jer.
sey avenue, he sees only squads OF frame shan
ties and shed edifices. unopened streets an I'M.
wholesome looking water course, and raw banks
of earth, and up 10 the very base of the CipI-
tol building. the appearance of everything is as
much IN the rough rs il that bulding had been
placed upon some clay-bank on the outskirts
of scattered village of four or ii We hundred
inhabitants. Ii cannot b. denied that one great
Causr Tor the ragged. unfinished aspect pre-
scented TO the visitor who comes from afar to
see the National Metropolis, is this depot and
Its surroundings. and the noticeable gap in the
growth of the city along the entire path OF the
road 70 New Jersey avenue in consequences of
the discrepancy between its grade and that of
me streets ii disIocates.
The Capitol building is prF excellence. the
noblest structure, if not IN the world AZ least on
Tins continent. To beautify and adorn it's
grounds and appToaC hes should be the chief
care Of all " no have fame or that OF the CITY
n heart, and no one holding these views can
deny this this depot. IN ali its ramIfcations
and connexions. is an eyesOre As we'll as a posi-
i've nuisance when viewed IN this light
BY the removal of this depot 70 some point
north Of l sire, I. and far east as the inter-
ests OF the company and the trav cling COM
munIty might dictate. the intervening space
would ~ speedily improved b. elegant resi-
deLtss. for no portion OF the city is growing
more rapidly than this. whilst it. c5ntiguitv
70 the Capitol Park would cause l. 70 be sought
after by those DESTROYS o. securing pleasant resi-
dences. If this We're done, ard the unsightIy
TayiEe called the TIbcT arched over and made
tC Grain these waste places: those magnificent
n "
nUe. opened and extended 20 the city boundary,
II would WORK such 4 revolution in the ap-
p,araIoe OF this portion OF Washington as
could mol fail 70 greatly benefit it and make it
n desirable a any other section.
The depot would then be By q street railroad
along Il OF l street. A. Accessible a II now i
would be but a tTih- farther tr0Tn the heart OF
The city, and entail no greater expense OF cart
a-e 20 our business community Than a present.
As We understand II, Inc Railroad Company
have no interest in coming TO New Jersey ave-
hue beyond the fac that they own the ggoGad
and buildings occupied by them there. and be-
Iug conveniently situated have no desire 20
move. Should they fall back 10 the outskirts
the city they could undoubtedly sell their
-rauuG AZ an advauCs rate sUfficieu' . repay
the cost OF removal Their rece;p-s Will be he
same from passenger and freight, Stopping az
/ street as If a. New JERSEY avenue. and they
save the wear and Ter OF track aad rolling
stock Dy lust thai CiStaEcr. The Company
,ouId also feel sac tkare-as they never can
ON New Jersey aveuue-In erecting permanent
rulToad structrr-s- daPCts and stations ade-
,.uaJe for the combined business Of the tvvJ
rCsds. the MerrOD1II-aE and Baltimore branch.
The INCONVENIENCE o. removal = them Will
therefore be tempJr..r.- and ne I'd van ages 10
bg,h 'ho company aGd the ely S-ea; and per-
ula2rEt-
In this connection W. would call attention %
The iiaH urged by ll- Mayor o. connecting the
CraL 81 and Alexandra railroad win this de-
pot Oy carry - THIS connection along III.
northern boundary o: The cay. through G-Org4-
tUwE. along Ga canal bank % connect with tl-
present roads running into Alexandra, which
has many features n is favor. Ii We should
ever succe, IN getting dIrec- communicate
win Cncinna.. and the Southwest by means
q: railroad through a portion OF Virginia,
which project l. now pending before Congress
and should succeed IN securing q river in
prOyeIneEt, such the Potomac rlv~r d.
serves, Washington might speedily rise
10 some commercial importance. In The opin-
ION OF many, the dIlapidated structure known
A. the Long Bridge must weld 70 the march OF
improvement the fats must De Tiled on. from
Easby's Wharf 70 the Arsenal grounds.
nVer channel Will tnus be gained of an average
Hiuiu OF nine hundred lee. and with CaDrh
sufficient for all purposes of commerce Well
conducted ferries, such Il ply between New
y rk and Its al AGENT cities. would furnish ALI
Heedful communication between the CITY and
'he Virginia shore. y railroad center could be
formed ~ or near the present terminus OF the
Long Bridge, and degree OF Commercial pros.
perity night b. attained by us such As few have
tver dreamed o..
These Improvements would call for m 70
mo'ai a the unsighly railroad track from
Mary laEd ayeDur. This street opsntnv ON,
nsTicuCUSly from The western front Of Tho
capitol ought 20 BE- one OF the f.rst IN Wssb
DO G;c.. bat di-hgurej as 10 Is by shed.daro,s
;-d stations, shabby platforms. wood-piI.s.
les G. old railroad tle- and railroad iron IL -
sea eSe-scrr. and must continue so 10 h.
80 lcAg as occupied bv the railroad track.
ana Tie track elevated IA The air. Il Il is above
L. level q The stTeeJ - not only an rve-sore
lit = n great drawb u the interests of South
Washington, efecJIaily IH,ereepting the pas
- q vehicles except NJ particular points
Sad SsIsIIg in connection with that other
I,4saACe, The canal, 10 eiirctUaily divorce
ti.f III, @-antly al uat,d portion of Washiu gton
e., ~ the Test Of the city.
There Is no reason Why Washington having
a. o: the best wafer powers the world. AMI
friDg IN close proximity 20 the cotton supply