National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-11-03
ruR GROWTH OF THE DISTRICT.

tees, and IN entire Justification of the course
Of the RRrrBIIcAS In the matter.
THR GROWTH OF THE DISTRICT.
The superior advantages which Washing
Ton presents for q winter residence are too
obvious to oil those in the habit Of occasion
ally visiting the national capital to need par
ticular mention In this article. Its salubrious
and temperate climate Is alike adapted to
the health of the native Of the tropics and OF
the Arctic regions. Representatives of al
nations, from all portions Of the Garth, live
In Washington and enjoy the best OF health
without any serious difficulties Of accllmatlon.
Over flfty-four per cent. Of the whole area
Of this city IL devoted TO streets, avenues,
parks, trianglcs, etc, afording the best pos
sible facilities for ventilation, with pure air,
and for the cultivation OF shade trees, flow
crs and grass plats. This Is nearly double
the street area Of any other Atlantic city or
Of the cities Of Europe.
The District OF Columbia has now very lit
tie, II any, short Of one hundred and fifty
thousand inhabitants during the winter
months. Its population Is increasing with
greater rapidity than ut any former period.
And this increase is Of permanent and
healthy character, based upon its advantages
Of climate, the eradication Of the idea OF the
removal Of the capital, the bountiful supply
Of pure water, the improvement Of streets by
sewerage, pavemcnts, and foot-walks, the
tasteful ornamentation Of parks and squares,
rendering them more beautiful than those OF
any other city in the country, and the name
less attractions that ever surround national
capital.
The sessions Of Congress always attract o
large transient population who come upon
business affairs, while other multltudes visit
the capital from motives Of curiosity, amuse-
ment and instruction.
Washington Is rapidly accommodating mate
rial Of the utmost interest TO the student.
The Library Of Congress, now amounting to
about two hundred thousand volumcs-the
largest most varied In its contents, and thu
best arranged for reference In the country
IL free to all. 1t Is now the depository for al
copyrighted publications, and Is, therefore
being daily enriched with copies Of all new
issues from the press. The Army Mcdica
Museum Is the fullest and rarcst in the coun
try, II not in the world, and is invaluable 4
the student of surgery. The Smithsonian
Institution, the Patent Office, the Signal an,
Weather Bureau and the National Obserya
tory, arc all daily besleged by crowds of Wis
itors in search Of instruction. Our uniyer
sites are daily assuming more Of natlona
character from these causes.
Thr.c thousand new dwelling-houses hay
been constructed since the taking of the las
census. Their aggregate cost Is estimated q
over ten millions OF dollars. More than sew
cnty-hyc per cent. OF them arc built OF brici
and arc supplied with water and gas. Th'
streets OF the District arc underlaid with ont
hundred and twenty-five miles Of water-pipe:
for tho distribution of the pure water Of thu
upper Potomac among the Inhabitants
Free hydrant. arc numcrously provided fol
the benefit of the poorer classes. Only sucl
consumer. pay water-rcnt az take the watel
upon their own premises.
The Board OF Public Works have laid owe
one hundred miles OF sewers during the las
three years, including about twelve miles o
brick mains, with arched roofs, varying iron
eight TO thirty-two feet in the clear, the re
malndcr being of pipe or tile. They have
also evcavated, graded and paved the car
riagcways, thirty-two feet average width, O
some two hundred miles Of streets. In thes,
lateral sewer-plpes, watcr-pipcs and gas
pipes have been laid to the curb In front o.
every building or lot, so that connections
may be made for the benefit of the occupant,
Of each house without ercavatng the street,
or disturbing the pavcmcnts. The engineer
office has on file perfect charts Of oil these
underground qualifications, so that by refer.
ence to the files plumbers and gasftters may
work intelligently. The carrlageways have
been paved with treated wood, concrete OIL
asphalt OF the most approved styles and dura'
hle composition.
The footwalks are mostly varying from ter
10 thirty feet in width, Aanklug each side o.
these carriageways, and, of course, aggre
gate double their mileage. Sewcr-traps ant
inan-holes have bcen constructed at conye
nient distances, and at the proper points fol
the purpose of carrying of the water IN,
filth from the streets, and removing any oh
structions from the sewers that may acct
mulate.
Thousands of young naples, Gins, an,
other shade trees have been planted lusid
the curbstones, which, In the course Of few
years, will afford beautiful foliage Of variC
gated colors, and refreshing protection fror
the rays Of the summers sun.
We have been thus particular in nanIin
many Of the details of expense attending tn
improvements recently made In this DlstriC
from the fact that casual observers count tn
cost Of only what strikes the eye. In thl
case the most expensive portion Of the wor
Is under ground, the bottom Of some Of tn
sewers being forty feet below tho surface.
All will admit that the labor expende
upon our streets and sewers in this DistriC
fur exceeds per mile the average Of tha
upon any flrst-class railway in the country
But, nevertheless, 1t will be found that III
Board of Public Works have scarcely c!
ceeded In their expenditures per mile IL
average cost per mile OF the railway
In the United States. In any cyeI
the expenditure will return mar
fold. 1t is already apparent In the enhapcC
value OF real estate. In the best portions
the District prices have appreciated from Oh
TO two hundred per cent. Several of tho
owners of real estate who were the NEST VII
lent opponents to the improvements thr'
years ago have become millionaires sine
through the increased value Of their propert
resulting from them. And worse than thi
these same men arc now ready TO swear TIT
they never were DIRECTORS.
The British Government il now huildin
an official residence for its legation 1T poiI
which would not have been dreamed oil h'
years ago. Senator Stewart, of Nevada hi
erected an elegant mansion near the boul
Diary Of the city In spot that would nj
have been accessible but for the efforts OF II
Board Of Public Works.
These are mentioned as notable instance
only Of the spirit Of enterprise which hf
been awakened by the march OF improve
msnt under the auspices Of the Terrltorii
government. Other foreign government
~ bs expected to follow the example