The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-04
coHgREss AND THE DISTRICT.

IN inc present state oil the case, Win ulNiucu
Jurisdiction such AS exists in the government OF
this District, 1t is doubtless difficult for Congress
TO give us that legislative aid and support
which our circumstances demand, and which the
best welfare of our people most loudly calls Tor
We shall not in this connection attempt to
point out and defend any special theory OF gov
eminent which ought, to the exclusion Of all
other theories, to be adopted at this time. Much
can he said in favor Of an improved municipal
system of local laws, which, under the supcrvis.
ion of our National Legislature, would work
harmoniously, and lead to practical and beneh-
cial results. So, also, on the other hand, we
can think of many advantages which would be
sure TO be achieved II Congress would, under the
Constitution, take the government into Its own
hands, and govern the District by a board OF
commissioners who shall net be selected on par
tsan grounds, but on account of eminent fitness
for the position, which commissioners shall be
immediately responsible to the President of the
United States, or to Congress, or to both.
Presuming, however, that nothing will be done
Ivy the way OF effecting any very Radical change
in the organic system Of government here, the
question returns: what policy should govern
Congress in the exercise OF its functions, and in
its naturalization OF our public affairs.
Almost everything that Congress has hereto
fore done for this District has been done under
the mistaken and narrow notion that they were
lcgislating for few people here, the most OF
whom were temporary sojourners, having no
interests of a local nature to be promoted, and
hence that as little as they do outside Of the
public buildings and public reservations is all
they ought to do, and that this will In the end
prove the best policy. They seem to lose sight
of the patent fact that this is the National Capt..
tai. and that the people of the entire nation arc
and ought to be interested In building up grand
city here which for completeness and beauty
shall not be excelled by the capital OF any nation
on the globe. All this say has been lost sight OF
in the legislation OF Congress up to this time and
that body has acted In q way which plainly
enough shows that the settled policy is to do
just enough to keep the city from utter dilapi-
dalton and ruin.
We might give many proofs and illustrations
ofwhat We here state, but can only, at this time
select one. Take the proposed appropriation fol
repairs upon Pennsylvania avenue-say go, 900
for not more than this, II as much, will be giveI
by Congress. 1t may be 900. 1t is more likel,
to be 10000, or even less, when the bill hnall
passes. Now, what does 900 amount to in tn
repairs OF a thoroughfare like this, which /
sadly out OF order, and should be newly paved a
once by the best OF modern pavements. And, be
sides, where will the so 900 60 to II every mill
it should be expended in repairs upon Pennsyl
vania ayenuel We do not doubt that Genera
MIchler our present efficient Commissioner q
Public buildings, will do the best he can will
the means furnished, but these go 900 will go bu
a little ways; and who, in six months time, will
be likely to know that single impro vement ha
been madel Then next year teo, 900 more, and B.
on. What would be thought of a private ind
vidual who should pursue such "penny wis
and pound foolish" system as this to preserv
his own property from going to decay, and thu
rendering 1t but indIfefenty useful the mesr
whilei
The neglect of Congress to put Pennsylvan
avenue into a condition such as the necessitie
Of the case requires, and the most apparent an
simplest principles of economy demand, is In pei
feet keeping with its whole policy In the govern
ment and management OF the affairs OF the Dl,
tri:t. OF course Hon. Mr.. BuncOmbe thinks Will
making his speech and voting against all apprc
priations of money for this District, except tn
merest tribe, which is absolutely demanded, h
is making himself very popular at home, and wi
be sure TO he returned as the able and chose
guardian OF the peoples money.
Very much could be said by way of shown
that the policy Of Congress towards this Distric
ia extremely detrimental to all our interests, an
thatit does not fall far behind absolute and un iul
thablc neglect.