The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1879-02-19


The capital was established in this
malarial sink when the population Of
the United States numbered from
Ave to seven millions grouped in the
States on the Atlantic front. Gen.
Washington selected this situation
mainly, it is supposed, because it
was convenient to his country resi-
dence at Mt. Vernon, Is miles dis
tant. Since the foundation of the
capital the gravity of population has
changed its centre from New En-
gland to Ohio, and is moving west
ward with accelerated velocity.
If the basis Of apportionment re
mains unchanged, sixty-six members,
it is estimated, will be added to the
House Of Representatives as the re-
suit Of the next census. Of these,
eleven are assigned to the Eastern
and Middle States, forty to the
Western States, and fifteen to the
Southern States. The largest pro-
portionate increase is found in the
case Of Kansas, which jumps from a
representation of three, to one of
seven. California increases from
four 10 seven, and Texas sends ten
instead Of six. New York adds five
to her number. Illinois, Iowa, Mich
igan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania
and Wisconsin send four additional
members in each case, and the rep
resentattons of Indiana and Mime
sofa are augmented by two each.
On the supposition that the appor-
tionment is correct, the electoral
vote in 1884 will be divided section
ally as follows: Eastern and Middle
States, 1924; Western States, 173;
Southern States, 1873.
Those who suppose that the West
will not avail itself Of its preponder-
ating strength, under-rate its enter
prise and mistake its temper. The
argument that the capital was found
ed by Washington and consecrated
by Lincoln will have but little in
iuence upon people who are grow
ing every day more practical and less
sentimental, and will be far out
weighed by considerations of econo-
my and health.
l believe Congress would do much
more to improve the wretched sani-
tary condition of the capital if it
were not for a vague impression Of
its instability, feeling that Wash~
ington is but little more than ma
tionaI carayansari. and that to spend
large sums for the improvement of
camping place is poor economy.
But there must be found place,
even though it be but temporary,
for the books. Senator COnkling
made an able speech in favor of ex-
tending the capitol for this purpose.
After adverting to the difficulty OF
referIing to library when each book
has to be referred TO separately, he
called attention to plan which he
held in his hand, proposing to ex-
tend the capitol by adding two wings
east and west, which would give
ample room; this plan being drawn
after a careful consideration and
study Of the grandest piles in the
world, including st. Peters at Rome.
He said: The present building
locks like a dome with a building
under it, and not like a building
with dome surmounting it. The
dome is the building, as seen from
almost all directions. and has a
extinguished effect. 1t is
extensive. it is colossal beyond the
demand which strikes the eye" AT
ter describing the wings proposed, !
heir height, general appearance and |
utility as rooms for library, he add
I'd: Il am inclined to think, though,
hat | should not be willing to de-
yote those lofty and airy rooms to a
library, but should rather prefer al
owing the two houses of congress to
occupy them. l would take those
,odies out of these two iron boxes,
# which this chamber is one; two
ron boxes inside building, in
which Hundreds and thousands are
:ept daily, like rats in an exhaust
d receiver. Mr.. President, there
5 a noted man in this country (Mul-
eta who still lives, and has been
harged with great offenses. If l
adj the prosecution Of that man, one
{ the strongest indictments would
e that under his Jurisdiction, in
pection, and direction, two iron
oxes were made inside of a build.
lg, in which men who have work to
o. and serious work to do, are kept ,
ooped up in great numbers year af-
or year. where they can never see |
ne earth or sky, or catch a glimpse
anything fresh or natural. So