National Republican., 1874-06-06

/ respond with the magnitude Of the object for
future whenit was TO be the centre Of a continent
under one form Of government LOOKING 70 u ioI dts
| laws and for its protection. II was 70 pc city
| where all improvements made and expenses m
ourred were to be for the bensht Of the whole peo
pie. -
| VIEWING THE CAPITAL CITY II THIS NATIONAL
~. ASPECT,
va NAV Uoll understand the motives which gov
srned lis founders in imposing upon all who were
to come amer them such duties and responsible
ties toward II as would be peculiar TO the capital
liberal, II not munidcept policy in expenditures
As to the mutual obligations Of the Federal
| Government and the citirens 20 defray these ex-
penses, the committee find little dif1culty. II Is
clear, this national capital was founded for the
use OF the United States, and was placed under
its exclusive government and CONTROL and upon Q
scale Of mAgnihcence appropriate only for o ma
tional capital, IT never could have been eontem-
plated that the burden of expenditures should
fall upon those citizens Of the United States who
idence at the capital. Originally we know there
| was no population here to which the Government
tures and as the city was not to become one Of
trade and commerce and manufactures, the local
population could not be looked to in the future IS
carry out the magnificent intentions of the foun-
ders. Nor, indeed, would 1t have been Just TO I'M
pose this burden upon them for upon nj me Theory
pendItures would ultimately be for the benefit Of
the whole people, and justice would dictate that
\ address Of Mr.. Adams TO the people and 70 Con-
! gress in November, lsoe, Hpon their nrst assem-
blage In Washington as tho seat Of government,
and the replies Of the two Houses TO his seuti
ments.
- THE GENERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
l. The committee then remarks that upon the
second question involved in this branch Of the
resolution, to w.t. the extent and character Of the
mutual obligations Of the general and local gov
ernments 70 defray the necessary expenses TO
mittee would remark that the early history Of leg
islation relating to the capital would Indicate that
the founders looked to the General Government
city. Tho original government OF tho city was In
| the hands Of board Of commissioners created BY
the act Of 10th Of July, 1870. On May !, 1902, an
and providing that the affairs Of the city should
| be thereafter under the direction Of superin-
tendent to be appointed BY the President.
| superintendent and appropriates from the Treas
| ury of the United States $50 900, among other
for sesSp1g hghTSays
government Of the city up to this time was d.
rectly by legislation Of Congress; but as it was
require local municpaI Legislation, which It would
| be inconyeniept always to apply to Congress for,
charter was given to the city, approved May 8,
| lso2
| The mayor was appointed by the President and
| the council elected by the free white Taxpayers.
No authority was extended over the streets and
1
mitted to keep them in repair agreeably to the
plan OF said city. This charter was renewed from
time to time with extended power. Meanwhile
the interest Of the United States passed into the
control Of an Stlcer known as the Commissioner
| Of Public Buildings and Grounds, now tho en-
ginssr in charge Of public buildings and M grounds
PSIa ss Ss ' US SeS1.s shSSIS raS
the proceeds Of the sale Of these lots py Inc e.
| cent, by judicious management, to go far toward
the Improvement Of the city, and the act Of 1902
directed the sale Of lots to reinforce this city fund
Upon January II, 1907, Mr.. Jefferson, in mes
sage to Congress- says: "If indulgence for the
funds oan be adopted, these lots Will probably
sPs S
mspt Qf Gofefhmeit loans, fear the whole prop
erty Nill be sacrificed and the resduary interest
was the fight to The proceeds Of the sale Of lots
for the purpose of improving the city.
In the charter act OF 1870, the Commissioner Of
Public Buildings is directed to reimburse the COR
porstion of Washington just proportion Of e1-
penses incurred In opening, paving, or otherwise
fmpro wing any Of the streets avenues in front
Of moneys arising from the sale Of lots belonging
| to the United States. A similar provision was in
the act Of May, 1s2s. and the act Of May, 1Sis;
provides that the Commissioner Of Public Build
| ings shall
proved such avenues and streets. OF parts or per-
lions thereof the President Of the United States
1 shall deem necessary for the public convenience,
and he shall defrar the expenses thereof ont Of
| from the sale Of lots in the city Of Washington
belonging, or which may have belonged. TO the
| United States.
| There can be no doubt that II the fund Intended
| to be provided through the proceeds of the sale
Of lots had been judiclously managed and ex-
| pended, it would have gone far toward developing
the plan upon which the city was laid ont
| This fund had amounted in 1884 to s7f. .o24.4
| (see report to the Senate, February 2 1885, }
1 E-AI I.A-
tion or public buildings leaving but Little for the
| improvement Of streets, avenues and reserTa-
4 tions.
| Your committee have no means ofaseertaining
the motives Of Congress at that period for aban-
doning the Improvement OF the city wholly TO the
citizens themselves. But We may we'll infer that
| 0 Government which had to borrow money from
States bordering upon the District to commence
the construction Of public buildings ct the capital
would have no resources out Of which to carry on
| extended improvements The necessities Of the
young Republic required the closest economy,
and this left little beyond the absolute necessary
expenses Of the Government g be devoted to the
| for many years tbs Government did but little to-
| ward improving its capital, 1t is equally true
tina. Y has sitRys acknowledged its obligation
TIE QUESTION H<cIDED IN 1884
In 1884 the question involved in she resolution
now under consideration was fulIy before Oon-
gress, and was setsd upon afarmatFsIyin aecoro.
anee with the Views herein expresssa. a very
ISL ISL repoE; "a made e tss ssns'' s".. :,
;s ceslS S4i1a ,s14s. q 14s Pi5Ss s5s s,ari a:i
nagnituSe and extent of the city, the great width
Of te avenues and streets, the creation Of city
in Q short space Of time, the pressure for public
ton upon whom the burden fell, the report says:
The committee are Of the opinion that the Gov:
ernment Was bound by every principle Of equal
70 Pa to
amount Of properly which it held, and which was
to be Increased in value and benehted BY IT. and
4 this would have been greatly more than one half
the streets are its property, and 70 be regarded
as altogether under IT'S control, 1t 10 not easy tc
perceive why i should call upon OF permit other.
are to be regarded a. for the joint conyenience o
the Government and the inhahitants. the ex
IN proportion to their respective interests; and
that the early action Of the Government was In
conformity to this principle.
In the Investigation OF the subject committed
to them and of the relief to be proposed, the com
mittee have been unable to separate the interest,
Of the District from the interests Of the United
States. They regard II as the child OF the Union
As the creation Of the Union for its own purposes
That the design Of the Constitution and IL
founders was to create residence for the Govern
ment, where they should have absolute and un
limited control, which should be regulated ant
! governed by them without the interference o
partial interests In the States; which should D.
built up and sustained by their authority and re
sources, not dependent upon the will or resource
Of any State or local interest. =
| II this haQ not Deen the oeblgn D Temporary .
permanent seat Of government would have beel
Subject to State Jurisdiction; and II this was t6
} design 1t is not easy 10 comprehend either tn
: principle which would prevent the Gqyernpen
from Q liberal appropriation Of the national re
sources to accomplish the object, or the polio,
/. which could oonfne the city TO the means pos
: sessed by the Inhabitants for Its Improvement.
. In these Views your committee entirely concur
Your committee believe that they express tn
I -alstions Of the General Government and tn
VI 11Srav-, government with respect to mpnicpa
| arnanses ~.ssnss -
fhere is something revolving to proper sens
of Justice in the idea that the United States shout
hold free from taxation more than one half Of ID
area Of the capital city should require TO be mai,
! TUNED city upon an unusually expensive seel
\ from which the ordinary revenues derived ffol
/ commerce and manufactures are excluded; tha
q | In such case the burden Of maintaining the 81
: psnses for the capital should fall upon the res
Q dent population.
serve the Government in various capacities The
d. acquire no permanent interest and generally mol
! but little property. The remaining portion OF tn
|, population is made mp chiefly OF persons engage
In minor trafio, and in supplying the W}ntkqi "
Government, Of themselves, and Of the temporal
9 residents referred TO, SO that there 10 eosolutei
= no source OF revenue which can be looked 70 As
y , permanent support for the necessary expeno
lures Of this city. Aside, then, from Ali questlo
Of sentiment or patriotism or pride u tne nnlon n
Z capital, your committee are impressed VIE y
y y belief that the Federal Government snttAlns .
= least such relation toward the citiEe1s sne y
!. local government as would require ~ 70 contr,
" ute TO municipal expenses an amount beeIlng y
irelation 10 the whole amount requiTed Ehioh u