Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-09-01
REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL.

Our brothers In the West are talking about
moving the capital of the country towards
sunset as though the removal were deter
upon and the only Qucsti left were the selsc.
non OF a new resting place. 1he people OF ST.
LOUIS make the ne yiest bid for the Goddess Of
Liberty and her attendant train OF office.seek-
ers, lobby-members and shysters, and the other
Western cities, rivals OF ST. Lou s in trade, pat
her OF the back, and encourage her TO sail in
and secure the prize. The Western people who
favor the removal OF the capital as above are
ready TO prove by the map of this great and
growing country that the capital is now on
one side OF the continent, and that II ought to
be nearer the center. But they forget that we
face all the other nations OF Chris tsn dom on he
Atlantic coast, and that tor the purposes OF for
eign communication the capital should be near
where it is now. They also forget, or ito not
choose 10 remember. that II a line is drawn
from north 70 south through the country on the
meridian OF WASHINGTON, the population OF toe
cost side of the line will nearly equal an tn,
rest OF the country, and on the east side Will
BE- found New York, PbiladPI psia, Brooklyn,
Boston an Baltimore, the five largest cities OF
the country, whose wealth and com merce ex-
cesos that o. ell The other cities combined
AT present the West beyond the Mississipnt
which makes such handsome show on the
map, IS only camping place. l. must wait
tor years tor the influences OF civilization to
bring order out OF social chaos and complete
the formation OF its States. Were all this ter-
riiory settled we do not concede that il would
be any good reason for the removal OF the Cant
tai, but for the next hundred years the centra
OF population is likely to be nearer Washing
getting 10 be a very good place for the CapitiI,
and mat is about all II is good for. II only
needs descent drainage to make its climate one
Of the most salubrious in the country. Il is
on a noble river more valuable for its associa.
tons than for the purposes Of commerce. 1t
has associations OF its own which we
should hold sacred. 1t was selected by the
century has borne his name-a nams hon.
ored in the uttermost parts Of the ear tn.
1t has been defended as the capital Of the
49, -A
and often menaced in another. 1t has been
honored by statesmen and made famous BY
the most memorable forensic displays Of
modern times There Is another consideration
hotels and boarding houses and most deadly
whisky shops in the whole United States. II
these were better the number Of lobbyists
would be increased, 70 the worst confusion Of
public business. The amount OF money ex.
pended in the District OF Columbia, from the
time the seat Of government was established
every description, including bu ldings, paint
tngs, and statuary, was $50 800 $50. The real
estate belonging 70 the Governm mt ex cluding
the public buildings, was assessed in 1858 at
S13.4l2, 2g3. There has been no assessment since
1858. The extent OF territory owned by the
Government, including grounds, parks, gar.
dens, and navy yards, according TO the
acres. 1t has oeen estimated that it would
cost one hundred millions to remove the
whole thing to st. Louis. Perhaps an indiyi-
would probably cost the national gov eminent
from twice to four times as much. How the
lobbyists and the hangers on would gloat
over such a job How they would fatten on IT,
How the Treasury would bleed! How the
Gear people would pay! How the Hon Mr..
Pogram, OF Buncombe, would explain the cos
TO his constituents as clear as mud Finally
we should object to the removal of the capital
to St. Louis or any other growing place be.
cause we wish our Western cities better things
and they are worthy OF better. The capital
would give them temporary thrill, perhaps,
and it might tickle the real estate market, but
at last ii biteth like serpent and stnSeth like
an adder. 1t would prove an incubus upon
any city's commercial prosperity, and it would
be sure te destroy whatever moral tone it had.
Therefore IL st. Louis has any moral tone at ali
1t had better keep clear of the capital. Wash.
ington 10 already morally ruined-there is no
salvation for it-and 1t Is pity to spoil another
good city.-Boston Herald.