Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1874-04-08
EVENING NEWS.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

We have received q copy or the
speech Of Morton z. Chapman Of the
District Of Columbia, In the House Of
Representatives, February 18th, upon
the relations Of the District OF Colum-
bla to the General Government and
the duty OF the nation toward Its capi-
tai, also embracing the question as
Washington City the Capital OF the
United States, or the Capital Of the
Distriet Of Columbia? ?" Ii Is q too
patent fact that a narrow minded pol
Icy has always been pursued by tho
people or representatives Of the vari-
Gus sections Of the Union toward the
nations capital, and a disposition
shown to ignore tho ideas and plans
Of our ancestors regarding it. They
projected 1t as the grand capital Of the
nation through all time, and Intended
that with its public buildings, monu-
ments and general finish, the capital
Of the great American nation should
compare well aud favorably with the
representative cities OF our sister ma
tlons Of the world. The narrow minded
policy which has interposed In a great
measure to prevent all this has pro-
ceedsd from sectional jealousy in most
Instances, while the expressed desire
to have the National Capital removed
to n more central aud fitting locality
has also had a great deal to do with IL.
Representatives Of various sections,
when appropriations for the improve
mcnt Of the city or the District were
called for. have been too much IN
cllned to view the matter rs one OF
local interest. for the benefit OF Its
residents. and not rs belonging to the
nation at large, and In which all should
take u national pride. The nation
owns all the streets, public buildings,
squares and lands not ceded to private
individuals, aud as tho representative
city Of the nation a more liberal poll
Icy should DO pursued toward IL.
Washington, with her streets neatly
paved, monuments completed, and
general public improvements, should
be placed on q par with the finest and
best regulated cities OF the world. We
quote In conclusion the following from
Mr.. Chlpman's speech:
l appeal TO every member OF this
Iloase whose constituents have visited
this city within the last year whether
they have not gone home believing IL
to be the duty OF Government TO aid
In making Washington the pride OF
the nation ; and | appeal TO him also
10 tell me whether he has not blushed
with shame when obliged to tell them
how little the United States have done
to place the Capital where Il now Is.
Why, sir, Franco expended $4,000
900 to open the boulevard Sebastopol,
In Paris. and yet we must plead as tor
a charity when VIC ask this rich people
to make AUST, liked and certain APP
preparation annually TO carry on I'M
proyements In which the whole oun
try 10 Interested.
l confess. Mr. Chairman. | weary OF
this contest year altar year to obtain
simple justice for tho District OF CO.
lumbla. | weary OF the indifference
OF Congress To the plighted faith OF the
nation. weary OF the abjsct depend
ence OF this community aud the posi-
ton Of obsequlousness which their
agent must submit TO lest no offend
some congressional propriety or step
OH somo congressional toe. l weary
OF combating the assumption that the
District OF Columbia has no rights
which Congressman are bound TO re-
spect; and | would turn hopelessly
away from these Halls II | did notses
around mo Republicans and Demo-
Gratis who will never willingly see
Congress iasten upon this pcoplea por-
petual bondage rs tho result Of their
unexampled efforts TO redeem tue ma.
tons capital from disgrace.
No. Mr.. Chairman, IL Is a broader
question we are discussing than mere
aid to 4 cmomunlty ; IL Il whether the
plans and purposes OF the early fathers
shall be carried out and the ceuntry's
faith be kept ; 1t Is whether YOU shall
have hero the flnest public buildings In
the world. and shall hold half Of the
soil In reservations, and all the streets
and avenues la fee, and yet 10 nothing
to light your city, to pave Its streets,
to protect yeur houses and Depart.
ments from fire and irom robbers, to
ecu proper sanitary protectlon-ln
short, whether you will adopt n wise,
patriotic. consistent and ~well.dciined
policy toward the capital, aud will act
with some reference to the common
pride In 1t which all Intelligent Amer
leans feel.