Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-06-23
WASHINGTON As THE CAPITAL.

Inc Washington correspondent OF the Chi.
cSgO Tribune writes letter in relation to Mr..
IOgan's proposition to remove the national
capital 10 the West. As the letter appears in
end has the sanction OF the leading newspa.
Der Q: tne Northwest, it has special interest.
TIE writer wonders that any of the Western
cite should exert themselves al ali 70 possess
lie seat OF government. A thriving business
place, he argues, has no use for Capitol.
Albany derives no importance from her State
Eouse. Harrisburg has the finest site and is
the meanest town in Pennsylvania. Except
Boston, there is not one capital city in the
North covetable for the residence of ones
tsmily or for place of business. The near
presence OF government, moreover, Iaralyzes
1ndlNldual enterprise, and ma kes a harpy or a
psuper Of the citizen. That Chicago, ST. LOUIS,
OF any fourishiBg place should ask the REIN
1Orcement of the Capitol, Is accountable for
only on the principle of yaulung ambition
which o'er-leaps itself. Do they want to lose
their right OF suffrage No dweiler here can
even vote for President. There is not one cor.
ner OF the country that is not better repre-
scented in Congress than Washington. What.
ever is given TO 1t is given grudgingly. Yet
there IL no town where there is more ferment
OF thought and aspiration. The writer con.
tinues:
LET me show you in a paragraph how the
city came here. Washington selected il from
equsl motives of patriotism, association and
taste He had fshed, hunted and camped ali
over II. IL was midway of the colonies. II
was beautiful basin in the fork of two rivers,
on Underwater, yet inland, surrounded by
natural amphitheatre OF hills and woods. A
lew old fafmers and country gentlemen occu-
pied il They sold out on liberal terms The
total expenses TO the people Of America of the
whole city have not been above fifty millions
OF doharS, or about the cost OF the New York
II . nina
tai Dedicated TO government, nothing more
We may argue against the site, the exclusive
jurisdiction, what not; but in sober charity it
was cheap, wise, admirable piece of legisla-
1lcn, Tor the time. To legislate a new Capitol
site to-day Will open up the old as we'll as the
new dilemmas. If this town had reaped any
vast business advantages from its selection
You would have ground for jealousy. As
10 lis fine buildings, they are yours more than
ours. Pure and simple as you can make
republic, you must have adequate edifces
Tor Its capital, and the common pride of
the people Il involved in their elegance
Livery interest in America presses greediIy
mere lor government relief TO finish this city as
. eapital Is as pressing, as useful and as patri-
otic work as anything preached between the
Atlantic and Pacific. What has been done is
Well done; what is undone makes what is done
mixed political administration Of the place,
half pothouse and half Congress, Boots and the
Guest administering the common estate of
neither. commission of nine persons chosen
President, Congress, and the Supreme Court
esch 10 select three, of whom at least one out
OF each THO must be a stable resident citizen
would insure a proper administration here
Lex congress name every year q fixed sum of
money. 10 comprise all that IL means to give the
Disuici, and apportlon that part of the same
niCh the citizens must raise oy taxes; then let
tne commission distribute and superintend the
employment of the appropriation.
NOW, as 10 work necessary TO be done here,
the first should be the pa wing some of the
sreets The next should be the arching over
OF the Tiber Greek, so that II will be a useful
sewer rather than an open sluice of stencil and
disease; this latter done the Mall already
planted with trees, would make a broad park
between the Capitol and the Presidents house,
oeIlgntiul Tor drives and walks And. not re-
motely, the chain of forts which encircle
Washington ought to be connected by a public
oriNe, which would make a boulerdrd lofty as
Tue terrace OF St German and finer than any
IL the world"