Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-11
The Growth Of Wsshfngsou.


The Growth Of Washingson.
For some years the annual state ment Of real
estate transactions in Washington, made for
Tux STAR by the experienced and reliable firm
o. Kilbourn s. Latta, has furnished our readers
with important data in regard to the growth Of
the Capital city. The exhibit this year (given
elsevhere) is of unusual interest, Is showing the
wonderful strides in the path of progress, made
under the new order of things here As set
forth in the document, lit shows an activity in
real estate transactions at the national capital
unparalleled, within the same time and proper
lions, by any other city on the American CONT
nent." Not only does the number of new build
ings erected in 1872 great exceed that of any pre-
vious year, but the value Is increaSen in a vet
larger proportion; and Messrs Kilbourn & Latta
express the opinion from the best information
al their command, that the value of buildings to
be erected this year will double the value of
those built during the past year.
This exhibit also presents q complete list of
the street improvements within the last two
years, and from the data presented In this con
neetion We get some idea of the energy with
which the task of improving and identifying
the city has been pushed by the District authori-
ses during the time they have had control.
The Proposed Increase Of Canal Tolls.
All indications point to increased activity in
the Cumberland coal trade during the coming
year, and TO steady extension ~ time moves on.
There IL nothing visionary in the expectation Of
long continuing prosperity to the many large
and important interests connected with it.
Prominently, the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
IL alive to the situation, and leaves no measures
untried to reap the largest harvest it can. No
enc understands better than Mr. Garrett how
rich lot Providence has cast into the lap of the
people Of Maryland and Virginia, in those copi-
Gus deposits OF precious mineral hid away in
thar mines and mountains. Very wisely does
HIS recent report call for ro asad uniform rase.,.
o. coal transportation of his railroad rates which
Consumes may rely upon - permanent throu Oh
snt ali seasons and circumstances. And Justly
does he appreciate the advantage which must
accrue to his road from general confidence in
its moderation and steadiness, when he SAYS.
that the eyes Of foreign consumers are turned
from exhausted Britain TO the port of Baltimore
Che might have said Maryland at large, because
they have been informed THAT the coal tariff
OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad would mot be
advanced the coming winter,
The authorities of the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal are well aware that they can find no safer
path to follow than that trodden by the able and
experienced president of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. The doctrine he teache. for the
benefit Of his road is the true doctrine for the
benefit of the canal. That doctrine cannet be
disregarded without peril. To adopt its oppo-
site by increasing the present tolls on the canal,
would at this critical juncture, be of the very
nature OF suicide.
1t is known that large operations in MARYLAND
coal are now under negotiation for foreign ac-
count in New York, the coal To be shipped from
Georgetown during 1873. We do not know what
effect has been produced on the negotiations by
the recent suggestions of the president of the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal with regard to the
increase Of toll, but il 10 plain tn every eve that
the effect is not likely to be beneficial Not ONLY
may the shrevd judgment of President Garrett
be pleaded against the policy, but the reasons
advanced for it rest no ground surer than
bare assumption. Even worse fate than would
befall a merchant who should hope 10 enrich
himself by marking up his wares ten or twenty
PEG cent above the customary price might be
expected for company which should advance
its tolls ten cents q ton, whilst its competitor
were diminishing theirs BY like amount. IT,
under the present canal tariff, eight hundred
thousand tons of coal per annum have been
Carried TO market, will not an increase Of tolls
BE about the surest way to reduce this tonnage,
and TO teach the outside world that whilst the
counseis Of the Baltimore railroad are controlled
BY moderation and steadiness those of the Ches-
and extOrtionate. The existing prosperity of
the canal is due To the wisdom and 6rmness Of
its previous adminisU stons in refusing TO dis
turb the established rate OF toll, thereby giving
assurance Of the same qualities for which the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad seeks to be distin-
guished.
IL is true that the suggestion thrown ont by
President German was a suggestion only, vet it
was potent enough TO command q special com
nittee. On what collection OF testimony, on
the basis OF what interest, let IL be asked, viii
the committee report? Who will be consulted
On the topic, full il Is of veal or woe to the
Thousands of people whose lives and interest
have become enswined with tho welfare OF the
canal? Will the boat-builders, the miners, the
soatmeu, the people Of the whole western Dor
der OF the state, and the state itself be consult
ed on this vital subject. false step now NAV
take years 70 ehace, and ID the present canal
administration willing to reverse the wise and
wholesome maxims OF its predecessor and to
embark on . new course with all but absolute
certainty Of shipwreck? viii the canal board
raise its tolls at the moment when the railroad
il not advancing theirs@ And for what save a
mere shadovy presumption-a PRESUMPTION con-
tsadicted by the past experience and present
prosperity OF the canal. Let ii be remembered
KAT not only are eyes and hearts at home busily
cngsged in this matter, but the stranger who
Contemplates . large and valuable trade with
AZ. IL looking on with doubtful expectation
VIII the canal authorities drive him away, that
u must needs seek refuge with the railroadp
Nh@tever their design, such must be the inev-
ii1.'e effect Of the policy that has been fore
sis'iowed, if carried out.
Wing kamehameha v of the Sandwich Islands
b; lng died without naming . successor, Prince
liam G. Lunalilo has issued a proclamation
saving that, notwithstanding By the law of in
i's-tance he s the rghtfu heir to the throne, vet
- viii submit his claim to the people to be fairly
pressed BY plebiscitum. He promises much,
and il is thought he viii be elected by an over
v'e'ming majority. Mrs. Nation, wife of our
''nSul at Honolulu, who has lived in Hawaii.