The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-18
oNGREss AND THE DISTRICT.


We were led to believe that the Fortieth Con-
gress would, in justice to the relations which
the National Government holds to this District,
do the liberal and honest thing In Its appropria-
tions OF money for the Improvement Of the ma
tons capital. The temper and obstinacy OF
many Of the members however, appears to be
such that we much fear that the neglect which
has heretofore characterized the former Con-
crosses for number OF years past will rule this;
and that the beggsrly appropriations which have
from year to year been doled out, and, as n con:
sequence, being so small, have been wasted In
nothingness, that practically they have amount
cd to about as much advantage to the District as
the same pitiabe sum would had it been sunk in
the Potomac.
We have from time TO time had interviews
with different members OF Congress upon the
subject of making many Indispensable and need.
cd improvements In the District of Columbia,
particularly In this city, and have felt no little
surprise at the manifest don't.care-policy which
governs these gentlemen. They appear to think
that they are responsible to no law, and anena-
BILE In no sense to public sentiment here for this
neglect. They will tell you In the most non
chGldRt way conceivable that the people Of this
District are politically of no account, inasmueh
as they have no votes (which can affect them.
They do not regard these people as their con-
stituents, or as having any claims upon them
which they are bound to respect.
Is this SO Do the people OF the nation re-
gard i'll We doubt It. There is such thing as
national pride and national Justice, and we be.
lieve II an appeal was taken to the nstion this
people would be avenged OF their adversaries
and something commensurate with the demands
and necessities OF the case would be done. We
say, therefore, with the woman before Philip of
Macedon. let US "appeal from Philip drunk to
Dl,tl In has ~ in nth rIa fraf
to the people. The people will do US justice.
This is their capital, made such by the Consti-
tuition and the laws, and they-know that here
the people have expended several hundred mil
lions Of dollars In the coetruction OF public
buildings, in Improvements upon the public re-
serystions and grounds; and what is more they
do not mean to see the surrounding property
going TO decay, or presenting that shabby APP
pearance which is disgrace and q shame to the
nation. Neither do they hold with some OF these
members they have sent here to represent them,
that it is the duty OF the property holders of
Washington and the private citizens to tax
themselves to make these improvements.
A portion OF the money faised and expended
upon streets and avenues may well and justly
come from the pockets OF the people here, but no,
all. Such policy Is neither wise nor just. 1t wal
never intended by those who laid out this city
that such should be the case. Had this capita
been built as cities are usually built-by private
individuals, and for private purposes only-tht
streets would not have been so wide nor the
public squares on q scale like that we see here
No sane people would, In laying out city to be
inhabited by people whose pursuits were that OF
business merely, adopt anything like the mag
nihcent plan apon which Washingtonis laid out
The very fact that the people here have nc
vote and no voice in national affairs, Is a SUN
Client argument to show that the nation al ov ern
ment was intended to have supreme control over
this ten miles square, and II supreme control
then the power TO make all needed appropria.
tions Of money TO govern and build up a great
city, which should show the nations liberality
by creating here such monuments OF srchitec.
tuFal beauty in the construction of its public
buildings and in the neatness, order, and unique
adornment Of all the surroundings, that every
beholder would be constrained to say, this is q
city worthy to be the capital OF a great nation
In future articles which we intend to prepare
from time totime, we will endeavor to show what
was the original design and purpose OF the found
ers of this capital, and we shall SO far as We are
able, spread before the constituents of certain
members OF Congress these facts, and appeal to
the people OF the nation against the "penny
wise and pound foolish policy of their repre-
sentNtycs."