Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-09-20

This Centennial summer has most agreea-
bly,, and somewhat UNEXPECTEDLY, brought
to us great numbers of visitors to view our
city and public buildings. II Is doubtless a
manifestation Of love OF country, and 1t Is
An encouraging sign OF prosperity and good
feeling TO ind persons from every state Wis
lting the capital of their nation. TIE time
was when most OF the public offices In Wash
tngton were filled by clerks chiefly from the
states djacent 10 the District OF Columbia.
The changed condition of tue popu lation and
society In Washington has brought here TO
reside many persons OF note from every state,
10 that visitors from the remotest parts of
the Republic now ind here friends aud neigh
bors. Washington is becoming In fact as IL
Ii In theory, the national city-a city In
which the whole country has, and OF right
ought TO have, an interest and pride. This
feeling Is now, We believe, manitesting itself
In the great influx Of visitors who come In
spend day or two In Washington, and In
visiting Mt. Vernon. Congress OF late takes
this view, and is more liberal and national
In her treatment OF the District and In the
assistance she gives for developing and Inn
proving the capital OF the country. Every
American citizen should feel at home in
washington, and every one has claim upon
all officers and dignitaries who reside here.
1t Is the duty OF the press of the city, also, to
welcome visitors cordially and In all ways
possible make their stay here agreeable and
interesting, so that they will carry away
with them pleasa ant recollections OF our city
and its people.
We see In these visits evidences O, national
pride, patriotism, and good will, which are
certain TO exercise vast influence In popu-
larizing our city with the mass of the people,
and assist In Its future development. 1t
WOULD cave been considerAte and
wise thing for our citizens or city OFF,
Gals To have appointed q COMMITTEES To
welcome the streams OF visitors from the
states which every day pour into Washing
TOD, and TO give them all needful infor-
nation OF how 10 reach the Capitol
and The different public buildings,
ano now most conveniently to visit the va
nous places OF interest In and around Wash
1ngton. 1t Is not too late TO remedy, In part,
this omission, and we would suggest that
the officers In charge Of the Capitol detail
q number OF persons, wearing appropriate
badges, TO show visitors how to reach the
olnerent halls and places OF interest In the
building. Two or three females might, with
propriety, be temporarily employed TO d.
rect ladies In the Capitol, which would add
much to the comfort OF such visitors.
Major Richards, too, could do much TO re-
Heve the anxiety and add to the comfort of
Sisitois III ne would place officers at the
railroad stations, wearing an appropriate
oaoge That would At once point them out
as persons 70 give information. III he
could spare the men, one could be en-
ployed advantageously at the Smithso.
MAN Institution, another at the Patent
once, and also one at the Treasury depart.
ment- The various state organizations hsy
Ing rooms In the city might extend to the
VISITORS from the different states, Invitations
20 call, and when large delegations from
different states are here they might have
lunches provided for them at particular
hours OF the day. Here, too, they might re-
ceive letters, dispatches and Information on
various matters OF interest TO them.
These hasty suggestions are thrown out
mat others may think Of them, and IL sp-
proved, take such measures as will welcome
and make as agreeable as possible the visits
OF AL our friends from every part of our
great country.