Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-19

We are quite In the way just now of ia-
culging In gloomy views and dismal utter
snces respecting the outlook for our city and
~3ur financial condition, and, q few days since
"a memorial OF this dolorous hue, puTport-
ing to represent the views of a number of
prominent citizens, was sent to Congress.
lie author Of that paper, whomever that
iEsy have been, falling into a very COM
mon error, by giving way to unsustained
assertions and extravagant hyperbole In the
fort for effective writing, entirely failed to
create the impression desired by the me-
journalists. In reading it and observing that
It is subscribed to in most cases by usually
Sound and sane men, we are reminded OF the
common assertion that in Washington a
man would sign petition to have himself
Isuged.
Thus, when we find, as applied to our pres
ent government, such expressions as the fol-
lowing: "Have brought financial ruin and
disgrace upon our District, Impoverished
many OF the citizens, rendered property IN
productive and deprecated its value, made
The cities OF the District unattractive to
strangers as place of residence, repealed
capital that would otherwise have sought
investment in the District, and in q word. ~,
brought pa ctical bankruptcy on the District
10 The dishonor Of the general government
&c, we see In them only desire for sup
posed hne writing, and well worked ND
picture, done with a sublime disdain for
common place facts. In this connection we
hasten TO add that IL is said many of the
gentlemen who signed the memorial, on dis
covering that this application OF the above
quoted expressions is made, have In writing
Unclaimed the Intention to so apply them
But, IL is proper to inquire whether any
such state Of things, as therein depicted, ac-
tually exists in this District, be the same at
tributabie TO whom or to what causes IL
may? Are we In point of fact suffering more
IMAM is Cue TO the general depression exist
Ing, not only In all parts OF our country, but
as well all over The world? Are we not. in
reality, as evidenced in the growth of WASH
fneton, rather better off than our neighborsP
On inquiry, We learn from the Inspector of
Buildings, that since July Is, 1874, permits
Tor building have been issued as follows:
From July Is, 1874, TO November 10, 1874. ss,
permits; value unknown. From November
10, ISL, 10 November Il, 1875, LOO permits:
value S3,G5J,500, embracing LA buildings
and improvements. From November II, 1875.
70 Msy 10, 1s16, sc permits; value, 81 1872 500.
This exhibit, 1t is believed, fully and favor
ably answers the above queries, presenting
q picture very different for the thoughtfuI
man from the lugubrious one drawn In the
memorial, while the period embraced in IL
is mat OF the existence Of our present form
OF govern Inent- Until November, 1871 care
ful records of permits were not kent and
hence the value of the buildings erected nm
der the 800 permits, first mentioned, is not
knowp; brt, for the following year we see
mat IS, SEQ were expended In the District
n erecting and improving buildings About
13co new buildings were constructed, which
means block Of houses that If placed side
oy side would extend to between i've and six
miles,
Although the spring is hardly more than
opened, $40 building permits have already
oeen issued the present year, representing
an expenditure OF nearly two million dol |
lars, as reported by the parties obtaining
me permits. The average of value Is above
mat OF last year, showing q rather better |
class OF Improvement. The active building |
season OF the year covers the coming six
montns, and IL The promise OF the above ex
nioif for 50 much OF the year as is passed is
maintained, the growth OF Washington in |
the year 1876 viii exceed that OF any wear of |
aus existence, and viii excel proportionately |
tpat OF any city on the Atlantic seaboard. |
weak, In all sober earueetuess, II this dis.
play or ngures looks as IL financial ruin had |
been brought upon the District, Its citizens |
impoverished, the property rendered unpro- |
drctive, the cities made unattractiye as |
places OF residence, or that capital has been |
tePeneu or pracucal bankruptcy brought on |
the DistricD Such an amount OF building |
means An increment OF certain thousands OF |
1nnabitants; 1t means, also, confidence In |
the future OF our capital city, satisfaction
with the general state OF its affairs, and is a |
tangible and solid proof of the attractive |
character OF our cities as places of residence
Tor strangers, the more SO since, not being
cities OF large commercial or manufacturing
enterprise, people mostly come here because
they are attracted by the advantages offered
as places OF residence.
"A shortsighted and illiberal policy on the
part OF Congress may temporarily act TO
check this advance and growth of the cities.
As might also q mean policy In expenditure
IN keeping up and extending the system of
improvements; but, nothing else existing,
re IL our debt or our government, will have
such an Injurious effect
IT seems TO be conceded that the vote by