The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-20
THE REMoHA1 OF THE CAPITAL.
The White House-Specuiators Sold-The
st. Louis Movement-A Great Scare
..Disloyalty In the District-Probable
Upshot OF the Removal Project.
[rRoM ouR OWN CORRESPONDENT

IFRoM ouR OWN CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, September 15.
1t is published that General Grant will return
within a few days, whereat the Office seekers
are reioiced; but nobody else appears to know
that he has ever been out of town. The White
House has been reftted after the manner OF
some Of MIR. Hncoln's numerous renovations,
and by and by we shall see in the newspapers
that Congress has voted $40. 600 more to re-
furnish it. After all this outlay, there will be
nothing in it to admire. The late Thomas e..
Benton, many years ago, christened it "Buz-
cards Roost," and it is astonishing to observe
how aptly the term applies to it now.
There was son talk in Congress last winter
about purchasing park on the northwestern
boundary OF this city, and erecting what was
called equitable mansion for the Executive ,
Speculstors rs-amongst them several senators
and one or two generals of the army-immedi-
ately concluded that this would be done, and
accordingly the price of uuimproved real prop
erty in that neighborhood went up one hum
dred per cent. Imagine their disappointment,
however, when Congress adjourned without
obhging them by ordering the removal Of the
White House, and their subsequent agony
over the demand OF the Mississippi Valley for
the transfer of the Federal Capital to st. Louis.
A convention, believe, has been called to
meet in that city for the purpose of facilitating
the movement and preparing the way. So
that Carl Schurz will have nothing to do next
winter but to introduce joint resolution pro-
x,iI i'm for ha n
meut to his own headquarters. This is the
programme, and, judging from the tumble 10
real estate, there aIe people IN Washington to.
day who believe it will be faithfully and
speedily carried out. Our city press already
sends up a feeble cry against it, and our real
estate men tremble when they hear the proba-
bilities Of removal discussed on the street
corners. Ever sipce Pierrepont (the assistant
prosecutor IN the Surratt case) told the jury
that unless they convicted Surratt Congress
would avenge the insult to the "loya" people
by removing the capital, there has been feel
ing of uneasiness and apprehension pervading
the minds OF Washington real estate specula-
tors; and this recalls the fact that one OF the
most prominent of this class was foreman OF
the Surratt jury, and he was for conviction,
although the testimony was strongly in favor
OF the innocence Of the accused. This "back-
ing" and filling" process on tho part OF the
interested residents OF Washington serves no
purpose. aud will not arrest the removal OF the
seat OF Federal Government whenever it may
be personally beneficial to our Yankee MEM
bers OF Congress to order such removal. They
have no sense OF right and Jusiice-no regard
for the burdens Of the people, aud especially
none for the permanent inhabitants of the Dis
trct of Columbia, whom they charge with
'disloyalty," &C., &C., because some OF tbem
dared TO vote against negro suffrage, and to
oppose "carpet-bag" and negro domination in
the city government. The Federal Capital was
located here by the men who framed the con-
aud, like that instrument, was doubt
less intended TO last as long as the country re-
manned republic; but as our organic law has
oeen SUBSTANTIALLY overthrow, 30 can the
same parricidal hands overthrow the perma-
nent seat OF government, and they tooMd DO II
ere the expiration of the current year II it we're
possible to agree upon new location. What
would it matter to the men who have piled up
n aaht OF % 100 600 600 n-;l-<1oor ooor rooa5-,--
Issnzia,rorv -oxe<y ereob- lor
government in the valley of the Mississippi or
elsewhere2 Perhaps the State OF Missouri
mlght agree to issue bonds tor the required
amount. Where. then, would be the oolec-
ton to removal? The District OF Columbia
lies on the border Of Maryland; it's native citi;
zens sympathize with those Of Maryland, and
Maryland is largely Democratic. st. Louis is
within the State OF Missouri, and Missouri is
controlled by q Radical minority. This fact
alone is enough for the Schencks and Loeans,
to say nothing Of the Grand Army OF the he
public" and all the thieves and lobbyists who
would profit by the removal. 1t is OF no sort
OF use for citizens OF Washington to discuss
the question and hang around the doors OF
Congress with certificates Of "loyalty" in their
pockets. The Yankee iobbsrs and spectators
who hold high carnival in that building will
vote.to remove the seat of government when,
ever they believe it will te personally beneficial
to them, and not before. The wants and
wishes of this community will not be consld.
cred. The proximity Of Mount Vernon and
the sacred name of WASHINGTON will have no
weight; and even the bones Of thirty thousand
Federal soldiers, buried around this city,
cannot form chain strong enough to hold the
capital TO its present site, whenever Yankee in-
terest may demand its removal. For the pres
ent see no necessity for any anxiety on the
subject amongst the citizens OF WASHINGTON.
Long before new buildings could De erected az
some other point the existing dynasty Will
have been swept away, and the useless expen-
diture Of seventy-fve or one hundred millions
o. dollars will be avoided.
The estimated value OF government property
in and around this city Is $4,000. 600; and, IN
the opinion Of competent architects, 1t would
require at least $4,000, 900 more to purchase
the same amount of property at any other
point. The capital has already cost nearly
s12 600 900, and I understand that MIR. Clark,
the architect of the building, has expressed
the opinion that it would require at least
$40, 900, 900 to rebuild it. even in this city. Be-
sides this vast government interest hece,
there is an assessed valuation of about $780,.
600, 600, believe, on private real property. 1t
is true that this would not be lost by the reno
val OF the capital, although many Of its owners
think otherwise. The fact that Washington
has been the scat OF Federal Government to-
day has, in my Judgment, been detrimental to
it's material prosperity. 1t has all the natural
advantages for great city. Its water powe ris
enormous, and it's proximity to the bituminous
coal beds of the Alieghanies naturally suggests
The idea of o large manufacturing place. These
considerations afford some crumbs Of comfort
to the property. holders in their core alarm. X.
pnRT TONNAGE DUTIES