National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-04
THE DISTRICT.
MR.. CHIPMAN's LATE SPEECH.

tue ulSn prosperity IL enjoys.
THE DISTRICT.
MR.. CHIPMAN'S LATE SPEECH.
There is immediate and urgent need Of the
presence Of Hon. L. U. Reavis, Of st. Louis, in
Congress. The attention Of the Democrat and
Globe newspapers is called to this matter in order
that they may procure the resignation Of Mr..
Stanard or Mr. Bogy, or in tho last resort, Of Mr..
SchurZ, and the substitution Of Mr.. Reavis. The
emergency Is great On the 18th Of February
Hon. Norton P. Chapman, Delegate in Congress
from the District Of Columbia, made significant
speech in the House, which is published in
the Congregational Record of tho 18th. The
very caption Of this speech is enough to make
the blood Of st. Louisan run cold, and to
throw Reavis into spasms. "Relations Of the
District Of Columbia to the General Government
is Washington city the capital OF the United
States or Of the District Of Columbia-The duty
Of the nation towards Its capital" Such Is the
tremendous heading given to this hsrangue in the
official Record. Mr.. Chapman, whose remarks
bristle with italics quotations from the fathers Of
the republic, and figures, claims to have demon
strated beyond the power of Resvisan cayil that
the history Of the location Of the capital, the
declarations of its founders, the provisions Of the
deed Of conveyance made by the proprietors Of
the soil, the contemporaneous acts, the plan of
the city and the Legislation of Congress show q
distinct and unmistakable purpose on the part of
the United States to build at W ashlngton federal
city at federal expense.
Mr.. Reavis and the st. Louis delegation in Con-
gress cannot too soon lock horns with the District
Of Columbia Delegate in denial Of this PROPOSE
ton II they hope to remove the capital to St.
Louis Mr.. Chapman insists that the Federal
Government is bound to improve, build up and
adorn the capital city Of Its original choice and
no indirectly claims that the immense obligations
already incurred in city improvements should be
liquidated by the Federal Treasury. 1t is easy
to see that If this proposition carries-and Mr..
Chapman is not alone in Its advocacy-St- Louis
must bid farewell, long farewell, to all her cos
mopolitan greatness. She must squelch Chip.
mans plan or she can never be the capitalist.
Louis Dispatch.
VIEWS OF A STRANGER.
"Dixie," the Washington correspondent Of the
Chelsa Telegraph and Pioneer, writes to his
paper regarding the Dfssries drag-net investiga-
tIon follows: The investigation into the affairs
Of the District government by o joint committee
Of Congress, which has been in progress for the
past two weeks, has developed the fact that the
so-called "memorialists" have no case whatever,
and that each days proceedings tends to mako
their chance of making o case decidedly himsy.
The witnesses thus far examined, have been sub
the counsel for the "memorialists," and as yet
nothing has been ELECTED that tends to show that
the officers of the District government have been
other than faithful in the discharge Of their
duties and have discussed the moneys entrusted
To their care, with fairness and honesty.
Now the question naturally arises, what is the
cause Of this Investigation, and why are the peo-
pie indignant ut the proceedings and action Of its
authorities? This has to be answered by plain
statement of facts, which, to any mind other than
that of o prejudiced person, will be perfectly
clear.
Some three or four years ago an act of Congress
provided this city with territorial form Of gov
eminent, and shortly after Hon. H. D. Cooke was
appointed Governor. In this act was q clause
authorizing the President to appoint i've pers ons
citizens Of the city, to be known as the Board Of
Public Works, who were empowered to make all
improvements, &C., necessary. This was done,
and the President appointed i've citizens, among
whom was Hon. A. r. shepherd, the present eff
Client Governor. At the first meeting Of the
board, under this form of government, Hon. A. R.
Shepherd was appointed vice president Of the
board, and Immediately thereafter commenced
the revolution which has made him famous.
When the board took possession Of the city they
found 1t little more than Q quagmire, heavily
burdened with debt, and no way 1T to be classed
as city, especially the capital city Of this great
and growing Republic. Seeing that to raise this
quagmire 10 even decent iefei "ouio nos oniy
require more money tnan tne CITY revenue could
afford, the BOARD Oh fuohc morAs submitted
proposition to the people, showing the advantages
to be gained oy the spirit OF improvement, and
recommending tnat loan OF sA,0oo,oeo De enected,
giving securities In District bonds to that amount
When the subject or proposition was submitted TO
the people II was unanimously agreed 70, oy
vote Of the community, and the Board OF Public
Works, having some financial foundation to work
upon, Immediately commenced the improvements
which to-day has made this city one OF the grand
est on the globe. .-
These men determined that this city should Dc
improved to such an extent that no one would
feel ashamed Of 1t, and how well they succeeded
eVeiy s'anset r w asS,.. 800.
Instead OF the old, crooked, coooiestone street,
we now have beautiful roadHays, Just rs smooth
and as level Is billiard table, leadlng out Of oil
Oh QUIZ ssfee's' tno ,1ee oiNs nov oeen
and on many OF the streets, nealy parked Ter
races have been made, and the entire appearance
the streets changed 70 msks ~, Osne ns " n IN.
innaoitants anu ptue " Ae -
would suppose tnat the person, or persons, nnS
would do so much as the above to oeautify the
% - .nsaE would be- Landed for their energy
lns, ~ " .r,,r,, a, ,ns faca of AZ ynuch an
| and lnaomisaoie sp - " ~S- Nf
position: put now aineten.a .,.a.
IN help TO beautify our city, and always cried
- ons who d;d attempt 10 do 40 sent a ma
uo"a s' -,,,,r- g. a., ,,ya.t,1, a.,
mortal 70 oone.sss pi S,.. W. .... ~. a,,on
ing that great and glazing frauds had been per
,a,ratad This request was scceded to- and
prsr = tiresoms inye.tirstion Of sIr weeks. th.