Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-27

puDlc schools the commissioners refer to the
Board appended hereto.
WASHINGTON ASYLUM.
The south wing OF the new workhouse pro-
the District of Columbia for the year ending
3oth June, $751; has been completed: but the
appropriation Glo,ooo) proved insufficient to
OF compelling the worthy poor to live under the
same roof with the female convicts now neces-
Sarily confined in the almshOuse, must, there
fnp tbe De ey
important improvements and additions to the
accommodations OF the Asylum. The aims
a0% mas hsn ne repaired
With approved steam apparatus, bathrooms and
clostt, an abundant supply OF hot and cold
water tor all parts OF the building, and ample
sewerage, have been provided. sleeping room
bathroom and dining room, for the accommoda.
ion of the resident physician and student, have
also been added TO the hospital dspensary, and
gas introduced into the dispensary and into the
dwelling Of the commissioner and intendant.
Great tmproy ements have been made also In
the grounds of the asylum by judicous drain.
age and grading, construction Of roads, proper
development and utilization OF springs for the
constant and abundant supply with running
water of the stables and cattle yards; and con-
their cultivaDle area. All this has been accom-
plshed, too, out OF the appropriation for cur
rent expenses.
But the most important and valuable acnui-
sition for the Asylum is the addition to its
grounds and buildings OF the Old army aud
navy magazine which, under authority of the
act act OF 10Th June, lsso, making appropriations
has been surrendered to the District fer the use
OF the Asylum. This property comprises from
twenty to. thirty acres of valuable land, with
t1Ve large brick magazines, three brick dwell
ings. one large shell house, out houses and
substantial wharf on the Eastern Branch OF the
Potomac The EN-, magazines can, at small ex
for the instruction and reformation of the
young inmates of both sexes and for work.
shops, In which the youth may be educated In
useful industries, and the skilled labor of the
Asylum and of the United States jail, which
adioins 1t. find profitable employment.
All that is required to complete The facilities
of the Asylum for the accomplishment of its
benetcent work Is the acquisition OF farm OF
about three hundred acres, as recommended In
our last annual report, where the Migrants
who fnfeSt our streets, and the unskilled labor
OF the Asylum can be usefully employed. This
can now be accomplished at a cost of not
exceeding So, 900. and we, therefore, again
earnestly commend the subject to the attention
OF Congress, as an important measure of
reform and economy.
For more detailed information az to the con-
dition, management and wants OF this valuable
Institution, reference is made to the very intel
llgent and satisfactory report OF the commits
sioner and intendant.
Resides the was 6hHsiI5E ssv,um tho ps,orr
School for Boys and the Columbia Hospital for
women and Lying In Asylum, although managed
by independent boards. are public Institutions
OF the District OF Columbia. They are owned
by the United States, and are now wholly sup
ported from the District treasury. 1t was pro
v1dea, however, In the act OF 4th June, 1850,
making ma appropriations for the District that
one OF their body In each OF these boards, and
nave the right to visit aud inspect all other in
situations receiving aid from the District treas
feet. and the vistations made by the COMMITS
sioners to the several private institutions thus
assisted have satisfied them that the appropri
atlons BY Congress have been judiciou5ly and
The policy thus adopted of stimulating and
fostering private benencence by legislative aid
is, perhaps, the most economical and effective
method of public eleemosynary benevolence;
and we, therefore, recommend the continuance
OF this policy.
The Commissioners also r,.,,ceat the recon-
mendation made in their last annual rcr nort for
authority to visit, inspect and supervise all
charitable, reformatory and penal Institutions
supported In whole or In part by the District of
appropriations for the relief of the poor may be
expended. 1t Is impossible for the Commits
sloners. with their other Imperative and en-
crossing duties, to give the attention to this
subject which its importance demands. The
appointment OF such board would also, they
think, tend to harmonic and concentrate In
more stsble and effectiye methods the benevo-
lent forces or the community, which are now
greatly impaired by unnecessary divisions and
fivalries. Our Institutions are numerous but
generally feeble and unstable.
The Industrial Home School, although man
aged by private board OF trustees, Is now SUBJ
staltially public institution Of the District of
Columbia 1t is located on valuable site
belonging to the District, formerly the George
town almshouse, and its object is the education
OF the destitute and r1endleSS of both sexes In
the necessary trades and industries. 1t was
mostly. BY private benevolence. but it now
appeals for public aid to sustain its increasing
cost and usefulness. We cannot too strongly
commend Its claim to the generous considera-
We also commend to favorable attention the
viii De o9 to or
greatly needed in this District.
RAILROAD STATIONS.
The commissioners again respectfully, but
earnestly, invoke speedy action by Congress on
the ali1mportant subject OF steam railroad
stations. SO long as one OF these stations is
permitted to obStruct the extension and i'm
proyement OF streets at the very doors of the
Capitol, and another Is allowed to sever and
destroy for free public use the magnificent park
and bouyelard which connects the Capitol and
Executive Mansion, the growth and adornment
or the federal capital must be seriously If not
fatally impeded
In this connection we recommend that all
steam roads be required, when practicable. to
enter the city On grades below the grades OF
the streets, so as not to interfere with street
traffic.
The Commissioners respectfully call the at
tenCOn or congress 10 tne puOlfc nuisance
caused by the number OF small Strengthening eS
Establishments existing around the city and In
the imme date vicinity OF some of the most fire.
Guented roads. With the growth Of every town
the time arrives when business OF this character
must be subjected to the wholesome restraint Of
law. It Is thought tat 1t is high time that the
slaughuerfng OF animals In this District should
De confined to one or more selected localities,
and placed under such supervision as may be
necessary for the comfort and health of the
public.
PARKING COMMISSION.
The operations OF this commission, which has
done so much for the adornment OF the city,
have always received the hearty approval OF
the commissioners and the active support Of
the people of the District. Owing to Its wise
and dlslnterested care OF the details of the
work confided to it, the city Is now adorned
With 81 coo young and fiOuIiSh1ng trees which
each year are adding to the beauty OF the
streets. With their growth the charge for care
and maintenance must necessarily Increase
With the present appropriation OF $4,000 new
trees can be planted only at the expense and
neglect OF those already growing During the
past year, however, 5000 were planted, cover
Jig linear distance OF about eight miles. The
cOnm1s sioners have thought 1t for the best in
tcrest of the city to increase the appropriation
for the coming year to $4,000.
TELEGRAPH LINES.
The lines OF the six companies doing gen
eral business In the city consist OF 3S6 miles or
single wire, carried by 1856 poles. Up to the
present tine, owing to the width OF the streets