The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-21
"CAN A cry BE PLANNEDf ,,

Several days since the New York Post had an
article under the above caption, designed mainly
to point out the advantages Of axed plans in the
construction OF great cities. II especially advo-
Gates the adoption OF certain improvements in
New York, which 1t proceeds to point out.
Most cities on this continent have been built
regardless Of plan or method, and the dwellings,
stores, streets, and public squares-if there are
any OF the latter-are about as uniform In their
location and arrangement as they would have
been had they been dropped from dredging box.
Take, for Instance, the old town of Boston, with
Its narrow, crooked streets, its il-shapen dwell.
ings, located at all possible angles and one can.
not but feel that much of convenience, and A
vast deal of beauty, is sacrificed to the want OF
plan, symmetry, and order. In the newer portions
OF the Modern Athens, 1t is far otherwise, and
there Is regularity, harmony, and beauty There
Is not citizen OF this goodly New England city
who does not regret the hap-hazard, ill.shapcn,
and uncouth appearance Of tine old portions OF
the town.
Philadelphia, on the contrary, was built on a
plan, and the regularity of Its streets, crossing
each other at right angles, give to the city OF
"Brotherly Love" a pleasing, harmonious. and
beautiful appearance.
We have many fine cities In this country,
though many Of them are marred from the fact
that they grew up without plan, ard were con.
oHuNNsh 70 chch man l0cA or within,
instead OF being built by rule.
We may congratulate ourselves that Washing.
ton had plan from the start yet we are com.
PEELED to express our regret that this plan has
been departed from In many particulars, and
these instances OF departure have not been as n
general thing, improvements, but far otherwise.
This departure, in almost every instance, has
been compelled by circumstances over which
the inhabitants here have had no control In
consulting some Of the early maps and plans of
Washington, we have felt to exclaim, What A
pity 1t is that the ideas and instructions OF tho
founders OF the city have not been implicitly
followed! We can trace, however, this short.
coming to the neglect of the National Govern.
ment to second the endeavors Of the Inhabitants
in faithfully carrying out the propositions and
views of the early Congresses Had this been
done from year to year, and liberal allowances
been made to this end, long IRE this the CAPITAL
would have eclipsed all other cities on the conti-
neat for order, beauty and III agnifcence. 1t might
not have been so large or so rich as many Others,
As commercial and business centre, II might,
doubtless would, have been inferior to others,
but as the home Of men of leisure, of scholars OF
civilians, statesmen and military chieftains, II
would have been the FIRST city In the land. As
the beholder gazes upon the plan and contcm
plates the early design, 1t is easy enough TO sec
what was intended; but 1t Is truly painful "a
consider how far short OF filling up the easur,
ofthe designs we have seen, and all, too, on nc
count Of policy which, In the end, will be foun,
to be neither wise nor economical
Our National Congress, in pursuing a policy
which they may have deemed and still deem
wise, have not really been economical but waste
ful. As large patTimonies are wasted by neglcct
Of those who possess them, and whose duty Il
Is to improve upon what they have, that the,
may have abundance, so, indeed, 1t has been the
duty Of the legislators of the nation to husband
their resources here, and from year TO year, No a
wise man does with his estate, add to its value
by the use Of such means of Improvement a,
would hive secured the thorough deyclOpmcni
of the original design.
Had Congress gone on In improving this cit,
as 1t was Intended by the founders of the ma
tonal capital they Should this town to-day, in
stead of having population of one hundred an,
thirty thousand souls, 1t Is safe to conclude tina
there would have been at least two hundred an,
Nifty thousand.
1t Is not now too late 10 improve, and we hop,
that even this Congress will commence TO shOv
II by giving us some appropriations that ma.
serve rs an earnest OF what future COngressc
VIII do. When there is SO much that needs I,
be done, 1t is difficult TO point out that worl
which Is most important. We could name man,
needed improvements, but must forbear to-day
and will content ourselves with just this re
mark, that il Congress will give to Genera
Michlcr the means, they may be sure every dol
lar OF twin be wisely and judiciously expended
We sincerely hope before the close OF the Fol
ticth Congress-and the earlier the better-t
see some appropriations that will give assul
ance that something effective Is to be done 70
this city.