National Republican., 1878-05-16

pitched his tent, realizing his worth and
ability, delegated him, with great unanim-
ity, to attend TO their interests in the Ma
tional Legislature. Years of public service
in the councils of State and as q member Of
the United States Supreme Court for the
District of Dakota well qualify him for the
duties with which he is now confronted.
Without seeking the position, II was unani-
mously rendered, and the people of Dakota,
after his first term, were well and fully as
sured Of his capability and usefulness and
from every quarter he received the flntter-
ing compliment of having been "a good and
faithful servant" They marked high
their appreciation by re -electing him by the
most signal majority, and here among the
truest and ablest statesman he occupies
position of eminencc that reflects proud
credit upon their tact and Judgment.
CORRECTION or 4 MISAPrREHESsION.
We are dsinclined to believe that the
Chicago Times intended deliberately to con :
vey false impression regarding our Dis
trict affairs when II printed the following
paragraph, and therefore reproduce it for
the purpose of contradicting its mistate-
ments, rs well as to give the Times informa-
tion on which to make due correction:
"A bill which binds the General Govern
mcnt 10 pay one.half of the expenses of the
District Of Columbia has been passed by the
House. This bill, should It become law, will
not alter matters much one way or the other,
rs means are generally found to make the Gen
eral Government pay about one hundred per
cent. Of the expenses of the District. whatever
the laws on the subject may be. The position
of the District has always been An anomaly in
American politics. The only way to dispose
of 1t is to reannex the remaining half Of tho
original District to the State Of Maryland, just
rs the first half was once rcanncXel to the
State of Virginia. The Government of the
United States Is too big to try TO make mere
municipality Of itself"
In the first placa the bill in question
does not bind the General Government ia
pay onc-half the expenses of the District in
the manner asserted by the Times, for il
leaves II rs n matter of course optional
with Congress to make all appropriations tc
meet the Governments share thereof Ir
the second place, the Government never has
paid 100 per cent, whatever the laws on
the subject may be-" of those expenses
nor - per cent, nor 50 per cent, for tha
matter. The figures, which do not miscad
show thn: the 2oOOO0 citizens of Washing
ton, Georgetown, and the County pay tn,
same proportion of revenue toward tn,
support Of the Government of the United
States ~ like number of citizens in ILL
nO!s or elsewhere, and in addition thereto
have paid upward OF $3J,ODJ,OO) toward
the improvement of the national seat o
government, while for the same time viz.
since the active beginning of those i'm
prOvcments, the General Government ha
paid only about S7,O0O,0JO ior that purpose
In other words, instead of the GOvcrnmen
paying 100 per cent, or all Of the cost o
these needed and satisfactory improve
ments the taxpayers of the District hav
assumed the burden, and have paid NOR
than 400 per cent. over the amount it ha,
contributed.
The Times probably will find in its truth
iul assertion that the position Of the Dis
" trict has always been an anomaly " u sui
tcent explanation OF this wide diScreplnc'
between the payments of our citizens an,
the, contributions Of the General Govern
mcnt for the support-not of mcr
municipalty-bu of the Nations CAPITAL /
the safety, quiet, good order, hcllthiulnrs
and appearance OF which every America
has, or should have, u deep interest. Ii
not the fault OF the present generation q
our District taxpayers that many Of on
business thorouShlares, laid out by Til
Fathers in proud emulation of Old Worl
capitals, are wider than Michigan avcnu
in Chicago, or Canal street in New Orlcan
while other thorough(ares, ornamented wit
magnificent public buildings, are sti
wider; nor Is it their fault tn 1t large an
small parks intcspenSe the topography {
the Capital, and that thousands of acr,
on The Mall are devoted to G0vcrnmeI
hot houses, monuments, and institutions
a public and truly national character. Br
whether it is their fault or not, they vince
for generations and feared for years und,
slanderous charges Of being denizcnS Of Il
dirticst and muddicst city on the cOntincr
and threats that the Capitol would be r.
; moved mot to Chicago to st. Louis. i
nnlly they began with n determination
realize the designs Of the founders of Il
National City, and were met with illibcr
opposition from all quarters. Nothr
l dauntcd, the bold leaders Of this movcmcl
went on with their improvements until T.
day Washington is worthy the name of b
: ing the Capital Of the United States. !
streets are paved, wcll-lightcd, and police
and its reputation for peace and good ord,
freedom from Communism and absence
: degraded citizenship is far above that of Al
l national capital or city OF the slmc size
d the world. The stories Of dissipation
high life told by sensational correspond en-
I of the lobby, and Of the extravaganza
e society do not dsprovc this assertion in
D it should be remembered, have for their vc
+ slight foundation the incidental exploits
Is strangers and officials from other sections
the country or from foreign lands.
As for the Times proposition to rcmar
/ the District to the control Of the States
l, Maryland and Virginia, we have only
o say that it would result in constant 60
!. nict between Srate and general laws. St,
h militia and cOnStabulnry would in til
It event be enabled to assert authority oy
, United States officials in manner and
q, int.rt,.r, ,yi,h ,hn I,