National Republican., 1878-04-25
4 RIVERSIDE PARK.
A Proposition for Utilizing the River
Flats.

which Il Is Claimed Would Improve tho
Health of the City aud Deautify the River
Front-soms Practical suggestions from
Correspondent who Has Evidently Been
Victim of Malaria.
Mn. EDIroR: wo oil know that from the Presi.
dent. House to Georgetown. the hill from which
We have the finest views Of the broad Potomac"
aud the heighis OF Arlington, Is rcslingplace for
the malaria which rises from :hoso pestientia fats
on this side Of the river, lying between Analostan
Island and the Long Bridge. We know, too, that
to the cauSeway, or solid walls OF said bridge, eS
tending from the little channel this sido to the
main channel OH tho other side of the river, weare
indebted for those flats and their enlargement from
year TO year that the washingS Of the soil from the
upper country settling in hssSpanseS Of still water
on both sides OF said causeway have gradually
raised the ats, particularly on tho west side above
the water at low lido and that from year to year
they arc becoming more and moro poisonous ffum
the growth and decay OF their rank aquatic regeta.
tiOn.
Before that bridge was built, tho Van Ness place
was esteemed salnbrluus and desirable locality
for summer residence but since the time Of Gen.
ernl Jackson all the ridge from the White House to
Rock Greek has bseu from summer To summer Sub
lect more or les to Shiils and fcycrs and other
Of the White House l. no longer snie In remaining
there. nor in leaving that Gnwholrsonie lodging
Inst two or three sharp frcSts Of autumn.
The ignOramuSeS responsible for the location OF
the Naval Observatory on Its present side. arc dead
and gone, and therefore will pass them: but sur
national law. makers Tor the last twenty five years
haNo been guilty fTnnl year 10 ycrr of high crime
III ncgcctins to remove that observatory TO a 10.
cnlity whore the mists from tho river would not
interfere with the observations Of the astronomer
and where the malaria from those flats could not
compel all engaged in and about that Observatory
To resume their regular daily dose, Of qutnine from
aud after the lst of June 10 fight of the ngue.
These faithful professors and thcir subord mates
to he congratulated that Congress Is at last moY
ing for their relief,
But the citizens residing oil that n!asmatlc ridge
between the White House and Georgetown hare
also the right TO demand from thcir Legislature
some measures OF sanitary relief II was said some
tve years ago mat certain railway company were
prepared 70 utilize Those river fats, II Congres,
would only give them the authority; but All island
or peninsula on those fats covered by machine
shops bonc.boilirg establishments, or gas factories
would be al intolcrnbc nuisance; HOY, theii. can
those fats be most alvanRgrOIsly utilizod for the
city and its pcnplc. bearing the important met ~
mind that the first duty Of Congress toward thi'
city Is 70 make 7 healthy. beautiful and attractive
as the capital Of the United ~'atcs'
This question can be readily answered. Let those
Oats be converted into riverside park Or The bene
~ Of The citizen and streusrr and We trahsiot,h
hot.bcd of pcstllvncg into thing uI beauty ana Z
delightful resort through tho oppressive heats o.
our summer SeasOn. lrclosc by stone wull-saI
the $50 acres more less VI those river flats I'LL
up this lnrlOsurr with fragments from the neigh
boring qGarries &c., cobblestOngs, brick bats, Lnd
earth and raise the general level Of tho inclus,lTt
| Nppft lllhIk pihllb lnEtt vi luul lpNi
all round this inClusure Of willows and cOtOnwOot
of the latter because of their rnpid growth and
the former because OF their beauty oil the water
side Plant within the inclOsurc as many Vnrictie,
OF trees you Ike and ofa good size to begin with
and the work Is done. Fishing boats aud floating
baths may be added 10 the attractions of the pari
from its Inauguration. Within few years the tree
Of the park would change the maleria OF these fiat
into whoesOme air, provided, always, that there I
q free circulation of air under the trees, and N
ma<ses of shrubbery to prevent this free circulation
by this Improvement the oyesOrc and fevcr.n
of those riverats may bs made the first OF this city
House westward may become the most desirabl
section for private residences within tho city
limits. C. B. W.