Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-11-18
GEN. MICHLER'S ANNUAL REPORT.
Public Buildings and Grounds-The River
Channel, Bridges. kc


ings and Grounds, is full OF matter of general
interest to the people OF the Distric; OF Colun
bia. The report is as follows:
Brevet Brigadier General n. Nichler, Surar-
intendent CT Public Buildings and Grounds
submits the following report for the last fscal
year:
RIVER CHANNEL INPRovEMgNrs
Bv orders from Headquarters Corps of Engi.
neers, No. o., dated July 18th, 1867, the exami-
nation and surveys OF the Potomac river, in The
District of Columbia, were assigned me. with
instructions to report on some system OF i'm
proyement in reference TO its navigation IL
detailed report, with accompanying maps OF
the last survey, and also of those made lii pre-
yious years, was presented Oh the 3u.h of April
ana plans submitted for accomplishing the
object, and the following is a brief recapitula-
tlon OF the suggest tlons then made. 1t was
recOmmen ded, IN the first instance. TO dredge
out that poI ion of the Virginia Cieorgeto Wn
channt where the existence of the shoal water
demands It, ana also 70 the same extent the
Washington or city channel below the Loug
Bridge, so as 10 obtain a suitable depth
of water in each for such sea-gong YES
sells as are OF proper tonnage for the trade OF
the river. The present channels viii then be
preserved for immetate use In the event OF Il o
funds becoming tangible within a reasonable
time for more extended and important i'm
provements. These will be attended with very
little expense, and not much loss OF time. Tue
removal of the causeway of the Long Bridy",
somew hat formidable obstacle 10 either river
current or ocean tide, is necessary, hayin Z
proven very in furious 10 the Was hing gton chan
mel. Ii can be replaced by either All archpi
bridge one on piles of iron or wood. The
plan for permanent improvement consists in
the opening nv dredging of 4 new channel near
the Washington shore. The Improvement is
located in the commercial district OF GEORGE
town, and the tonnage Of vessels belonging 10
the District amounts to %, i55 tons. The num- =
ber of vessels entering the port last wear
ue67) was 373; the namber cleared during
The same period, 2C5. The business of the
District cannot be judged by that, rs vessels
are not required 10 enter unless they have on
board foreign goods or distilled spirits. and il
Is thought that twenty vessels arrive 70 one
that enters. Other beneficial results would be
derived from The improvement. The low,
| marshy ha's in front OF this city would he
reclaimed, and in a short time greatly enhance
the extent and beauty of the grounds about th =
Washington Monument; and Dy opening 4 cut
by which the water of the canal would pass
into the deep water of the new channel, tn =
sewerage of the city would be secured OIL by
the strong current into the channel, instead Of
being deposited on the flats.
BRIDGES.
Bennlug's brioge, over the Eastern Briuc1,
has ben entirely rebuilt during the last sea-
son, and has only required since, slight repairs
10 the iOoring.
The Navy Yard bridge, over the same branch,
Is CO.'S Lstantly In want OF repairs On &C count of
the great travel over 1t A new walk mas 20
b. laid tor pedestrians, ana the Gateway ap-
proaCDIng II requires 10 be raised and r. gra -
eled. These repairs are needed IN view OF the
large population of UnIontown and tue ada
cent country. IN accordance with "a resolution
this bridge with a view o: reporting plan for
permanent structure there, capable OF sus-
talnIng "A railway track and cars, has been
made, with an estimate of its cost, aad will De
ready by the assembling OF Congress.
The Long Bridge was placed in as good n
condition AS the small amount appropI lated
would ADMIT. buc Is constantly getting ont OF
order. Tae north draw has been replaced BY
Il much lighter one, and the south draw been
entirely oveTbauied. Owing 70 the worthless
condition of The bridge it viii require annual
d.
until "A more substantial bridge be erected. ia.
the opinion OF engineers, the present site OF the
bridge does not possess any particular ad VAN
tage, except that n affords more direct commu-
nIcauon brtW cen Washing gton and the Viz giuia
sbore; the contrary. from Its extreme length,
il Possesses very great disad Vantages, and
all agree that the causeway StOUI be g
moved III the case OF The ouiIdiIG o. new
bl idge
TIE Aqueduct Bridge, III addition TO cana
pm poses, is now being arranged for Il travel
bridge by the lessees Of the NasLiugJOn anI
Alexandria Canal, and is 10 be- oOen Tor traS 81
before March LIST, lcG1.
The Chain Bridge, three miles above George
town, Is in a very dllapidatei condition. The
sum appropriated At the last session Of Cln-
tbat il will last for years, aud - soca as the
material is procured the Work viii De pushed
rapidly forward.
PURLIC SQUARES AND RESERVATIONS.
The public squares and reservations should
be at once improved, both tor the appearance
OF the city and the heath Of the l'habltanIs.
Lincoln Square. east OF the Capitol. is the
only public reservation III that section of the
city which is undergoing Improvement. NOth-
III & fur her can b. done this season than 10 fill
IL up and plant trees. No less than four v
enues-Na sach usetts, Kentucky, North Car
DINA and Tennessee-and tour streats-EIst
Capitol, Ilth, 18th and 12th-r2dlate from il,
and Pennsy lyania ayeEue is not far distant.
1t is therefore of the IL Jst So uares
il the city. and should be improved.
EAST CAPITOL GROUNDS.
These GROUNDS have always been great re-
sort for citizens, but in consequence OF the
gradual rise of the ground away from the Cap
itol. the view OF that building Is concealed from
the more eastern section OF The clty. The grade
should be mace 10 descend from the struc-
ture. A bill has been introduced in thu
S,Iate 10 extend the grounds bet ween Ist .iraet
east and lst street west northwardly TO the
south sde OF north Il st. ,ano souIhwardIy to the
north side Of south street. Tie enlaI gsmenI,
as far as practicable, has been carried on un-
der the supervision OF the Architect OF the
Capitol. Attention should here be directed TO
that part of the city by which the great line OF
railroad from the North approaches the capi-
tai. Under the very caves OF the Capitol the
eye is forced 10 rest on an unfinished, unset
tied, ana offensive locality, W ncn l., no doubt
ovirg 10 the railroad passing through, and ID
the nature OF tue grounds. Should the eXtrn-
sion north OF The Capitol reach Il street, il Will
be seen that the depot VI the Baltimore n Oaio
RailToad Is within block OF the proposed
limits. I he run ming of the trains now dis
tinctly heard within the walls or the Senate,
and tie shrill screams of the iocomoti We inter-
centre of Delaware avenue, which viii indeIi-
nitely retard its Improvement unless means
are taken to remove them. Some legislative
action should be taken TO remedy the evil by
changing the line by which the railroad enters
the city.
OTHER PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The Botanical Gardens are being very much
improved. The work on the culvert over the
Tiber, passing through the grounds, has been
completed. The work on the fence around the
garden has been suspended for want Of funds
The pavement on the north front, south side of
Pennsylvania avenue, should be regarded au0
repaved, as IL is now much below the grade OF
Pennsylvania avenue. pavement should be
laid along the Maryland avenue front, aud
these improvements should he Of tagging. The
paths in the grounds should also be handsome
ly paved. The grounds directly to the west of
this garden are intended for the propagating OF
different species Of plants, &c, to be used in the
establishment Of the various public squares
Next adjoining is a reservation upon which
were constructed during the war various hos
pital buildings, some Of which have been re-
moved, and " hen all disappear, 1t will be laid
out acc ording TO the original plans,
The Smithsonian Grounds lay next in order,
and contain fifty acres. Only one portion OF
the grounds has been arranged in accordance
with the design Of MIR. Downing The portion
south Of the Smith sonian buildin has vet 10 be
graded and drained; walks to be laid out and
trees and shrubbery to be planted An iron
fence should be placed around the grounds
ard all the walks regra veled.
The grounds encompassing the Agricultural
Department are next in order, and contain
thiTty.fve acres. The Agricultural Building