Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-01
first cover Of the District OF co'umb.a, will
be Ren., n bered by gr Dsople, whssse
he ever faithfully sought to promote.

first Governor Of the District Of co'ums:s. win
interest. he ever tsIthfuhy .oush. to psomots.
have enjoyed the cordial CO operation OF GEM
raj o, Il. Babcock, Engineer in Charge OF the
Public Buildings and Grounds. The ability and
energy with which he has discharged duties 50
closely connected with the interests OF our
citizs ms, and the wise counsel with which he
has assisted the Board, entitle him not only to
special acknowledgment, but to the thanks
of the people of the Distri OF Columbia.
During the year the Board have been greatly
indebted to Mr.. A. b. Mullett, one of their
o. ginal members, and first engineer, who, since
his retirement, has acted consulting en-
gineer. A number of the radical changes
effected in grades and sewerage origin ated with
him. and his important services can not be toe
highly estimated both in the plan and prosecu-
ton Of the system of improvements undertaken
BY the Board
appropriate respectfully to invite the attent'on
OF Congress to the following extract from their
last annual report; in which the relations of the
general government to the District of Column
bia, as carefully complied from official sources,
are clearly ana forcibly deired:
Il. That, including streets, avenues, reserya-
tons, and lots, the Government acquired a title
in fee simple to about fOuF-fifths of the entire
area OF the city of Washington, without any
cost whatever to the people of the United
States.
"2 That the original purpose in laying out
the capital of the nation ON a plan whose mag
nineent proportions could not fail to lmpover-
lSh tDOrt OputCbl Cltys was 10 improve ANU
keep in order the streets, avenues and public
grounds, at the expense of the public treasury.
;. That, If the lots donated to and sold by
the Government, to provide funds for the erec-
ton of public buildings and other purposes If
national concern, were now in possession Of the
Dirtrict government, they would afford ample
means for every local improvement desired,
and at the same time provide a fund sufficient
to maintain the streets and avenues perma-
nently in repair.
-. That the obligation of the General Gov
eTnmFut To contribute a larJa nortian n the
expense OF the needed improvements of the
streets, and more especially of the avenues of
Washington, and of the thOroughfares consti
tuting the principal means of access to the
District, has been constantly recognized since
its adoption as the seat of the Federal Govern
ment.
"5 That while the contributions made for
these purposes by the General Government have
never borne just proportion TO those of the
local governments, during the past twelve
years the ratio has been smaller than ever be-
fore.
sc. That the population of the District, COM
posed to large extent of officers aud employees
OF the Government, and others whose occupa-
ton is dependent, directly or incidentally. upon
the Government, ought not to be required I'M
aided to provide for the sdornment of a city in
which the entire nation has almost an equal in
terest.
"In patriotism and in readiness to make any
sacrifice which may be demanded by the inter
ests of the nation the people of the District just.
ly claim that they are second to none of their
fellow citizens of the States. Animated by ma
tional pride in the efforts they now making
to render the city of Washington attractive in
its avenues, streets, parks, and adornments
they feel confident that in their endeavors to
attain this end they will have the cordial CO.
operation of the people, and of their represen-
tatiyes in the Congress of the United States"
ALEXANDER X. SHEPHERD
JAMES A. MAGRUDER,
ADOLF CLUss,
HENRY A. WILLARD,
JOHN Il. BLAKE,
Board of Public Works of the District OF Co
lumbia.
WAsHINGToS, ID. c., November /, 1873.