Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-12-12
Another Concentration or Ru,u.


Another Contemplation Of Ruin.
In May last, under the head of "Washing-
ton City as Ruin" we gave certain figures
in explanation OF the meaning that rightly
attached to the word "ruin'' as used at that
time in the language of memorial, signed
by few citizens and addressed to Congress-
We think We then showed that "ruin'' might
mean a rather unusual degree of prosperity
as compared with that of other cities But
we do not now recall to memory that unfor-
tunate paper in any further spirit of criti-
cism, having ourselves BEEN reminded of it
and OF our editorial by the appearance Of the
annual report of the Commissioners of this
District, with accompanying documents,
published in our recent issues. These papers
exhibit state of affairs which. viewed in
connection with the general depression every
where existing, should encourage great hopes
ior the future OF our District and the pros
perity OF our peop.e. The public debt is our
greatest subject of concern; but in the re-
port OF the Commissioners and in the
just views adopted by the Joint COM
mittee appointed by Congress to frame
a government for this District, we find
much To relieve anxiety upon this score.
The Commissioners report that all in
debtedneSs, matured or outstanding. excent
The loan of $780, 600 made in anticipation of
taxes levied to pay the expenses of the cur
rent fiscal year, but not falling due until the
LIST instant, have been paid or the money set
apart 10 pay them upon maturity. This
leaves, as total the bonded known indebt-
edness of the District-reduced over $4,000
during the past year-and certain claims
arising out of contracts and obligations of
our former governments. The Commission
ers show by the estimates OF the engineer i'm
charge OF public works, that the special as
sessments In excess of the amount of the
per cent greenbacks for which they are
pledged, now due for improvements already
made, can be utilized to pay off all the
known claims ''arising out OF contracts and
leave a surplus OF over s600. 900. applicable to
payment of any other just claims against
any of the late governments of the District
Some of this nature there are that should be
paid, but anything like careful legislation by
Congress will no doubt protect the District
against payment in that way of a sum so
large as $500 900. We may, therefore, fairly
assume that surplus SPECIAL assessments
will ultimately pay Off claims, leaving the
sum total Of our Indebtedness that now rep
resented by outstanding bonds.
The report OF the joint committee of Con-
gress recommending that the United States
x
penses OF the District government, that being
the ratio the public property bears to private
property, If adopted by Congress will Tighten
the burden OF debt and place us on a footing
for the maintenance Of our public improve
ments and their continuance upon an Geo.
nomicai scale
Inc inspector OF buildings reports the cree
ton during the past year of $50 dwellings and
go other buildings. besides a large lumber
OF additions and Improvements to existing
ones; all done at a cost OF si.155,I71 The ex-
penditures in this direction the previous wear
were $50 500, showing an increase this year
of about 10000; but, building this season.
as compcred with prices in 1s.5, has been
about l. per cent. less costly, which percent
age should be added 10 the amount expended
TO arrive at just comparison. This calcula-
ton shows a comparative expenditure this
year of 81 IL, eco over that OF 1875. Further
more, an expenditure now of II, I55, Ia repre-
sents the equivalent in results OF an expendi-
ture of, say, $500 900 made in 1873. This
showing is highly satisfactory. indicating,
as IL does, rapid and substantial growth in
wealth, as well as an increase OF
1000 TO i2,060 inhabitants in the past two
years. London erects annually an average
of 2 .Oo0 houses. The amount Of building done
here In this interval has been I'm proportion
TO population nearly four times greater.
Who are the people coming to occupy these
thousands OF new houses we are erecting?
Many OF them are snug two-story and base
ment buildings OF six TO nine rooms, each
renting at SO To $50 per month, and this is
the class OF houses the major part of new
corners require. They represent an influx OF
the great middle class OF our people; the real
conservers OF our nation. This. then. is the
But numbers OF costly residences have also
been erected, these, in the main eyidencing
the coming OF winter soujourners, attracted
by the gaiety of our seasons and the charm
OF society composed OF people OF all nation
alities and of those drawn from every section
OF our own country society entirely cosmo-
politan in tone as IL is varied in character.
Here the idle find idlrrs Il ke themselves. and
men OF all tastes and pursuits meet with con-
CO. ial surroundings. Congress, the Presi-
dentia, 'evees. the Supreme Court, Smithso-
MAN InstI,,, ion, Patent Office, Corcoran Art
GALLERY. and otbe,' nublic Institutions, afford
interest at all times to fh., whose tastes iead
them in that direction, and 49, coming Oh
Teople proves how wide spread the ap, feci-
"a ON OF these advantages il becoming. They
who come are not drawn by promise OF BUSH
ness or manufacturing advantages, for these
do not exist They come because Washing
ton Is what it is, the Capital OF the Nation, n
city fast becoming the most beautiful one in
IBIS hemisphere, and destined TO be the most
beautiful city In the world. They who are
learning this and availing themselves of the
knowledge in fixing upon homes here, are
themselves as varied In origin, character
education, pursuits, pleasures and ambi-
tions as are the directions whence they come,
or the rent value Of the houses they occupy,
these values varying In range from so per
month TO $500.
m as only necessary, as II seems to Us, TO