Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-01-17

Total number OF acres in scrip issued d, OOo 900
General Land Office. Jan. s, 1870.
AS usual, not an acre donated for the benefit
Of the District Of Columbia. Having no voice
in the councils Of the nation, we are dependent
entirely upon those whose whole attention is
occupied by distant and distinct interests; and
while they are unmindful of our interests i'm n
great deal that pertains to our welfare and
prosperity, yet no opportunity is missed to
require our people to contribute their full
and support OF the Government. Congres Is
has also, in its generous bounty, donated
ls5. 500, 19i.67 acres of public land to several
struction of railroads throughout the West
yet at the capital Of the nation we have but
one line leading to the North and one South.
For years we have applied to Congress to
facilities, but our efforts have been in vain.
At the last session of Congress had the honor
in company with Mayor Eowen, to visit Con-
gress to procure the passage OF an act giving
citizens of Washington, in their corporate
capacity, the privilege of subscribing 81 800 900
to aid In bringing into our city two more lines of
railroad. And Congress did not take the time
to act upon the matter, and has not to this day.
We worked long, diligently and well, but all to
no purpose. And now Congressman raise objec-
lions to Washington as the place to hold the In
ternatiOnal Exhibition because Of its want OF
railroad facilities Deny us the privilege to ex-
pend our own means i'm building railroads, and
railroad facilities. so, consistency, thou art a
jewell" tGreat applause.l
FellOw-ctizens: 1t is not solely for the neglect
Of Congress in regard to donations of land and
appropriation OF means for the benefit OF the
nations capital0 OF which complain; it is, among
other things, the shameful disregard constantly
manifested by that body to our petitions and
land, which were inherited in the cession OF the
District from that State. Our energies are bound
down by laws enacted nearly centary ago, and
not at all applicable to our present condition or
the progress of the times. For instance, let me
cite the old usury law Of Maryland, which is in
full force in this District to-day. 1t enacts that
If money Is loaned at greater rate than six per
cent. per annum, the lender is labie to forfeit
both principal and interest. Money is the sinew
of enterprise as well as Of war, and unless it can
be legally protected in its in this District at
the usual rates throughout the country, it will
We have asked again and again OF Congress
for lberalizing OF this law, and to give US such
statutes as govern their own constituents; but
80 far our efforts have been unavailing. Yet the
Government Of the United States have offered
capital to come to her relief, bst 1t citizen Of
this District takes o fraction ever per cent,
he is liable to forfeit all. With liberal laws
regulating the use OF money here, (if any regu-
ment; new enterprise would spring no in our
midst; millions Of dollars now invested by our
citizens in Government securities would be Hn-
locked and flow into the numerous channels OF
industrial enterprise developed by the renewed
energies of our people.
We have for the past ten years prayed to Con-
kIc6S NJ every eCroAOu W Nil - = BCG1cIAl act
Of incorporation, under which the combination
OF capital and energy could establish nanufac-
turing and other productive and rseful enter
prises In our midst, all tending in their results
to the prosperity and SslfaFe o. our people At
attractions and comforts Of the nations capital,
and largely enhancing the value Of the Govern
We are not asking Congress to appropriate
money to aid us In our enterprises; we only ask
them to appropriate the brief time necessary to
give us liberal legislation, and if they will but
do that much, We viii, by our own energies,
make the nations capital, In Its comforts, con-
seniences, and magnitude, worthy or being the
seat OF government Of our Widespread Repub-
lie! lGreat spplauseI
The numerous constituents of Congress visit
ing the national capital are, no doubt, shocked
at the condition Of the broad avenue leading
from the Capitol to the Presidents House, and
breathe curses deep, and often loud, 1t the citi-
gems of Washington for not manifesting proper
energy and putting u In good order; The ANA
the shameful condition Of that thor0ughfare 10
not confined to visitors, but have heard NOR