Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-17
The Nations CapitaI.

THE PRESENTATIONS OF LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
writer In Good Company SayS:-There is
naIneleSS fascination In the Washington air.
The average citizen, living far removed from
the capital, often wonders why the office-holder
who comes TO Washington Is so 10th to leave 1t
that he will often stoop to almost any device to
secure further lease Of power-whether 1t be
four years In the White House, another term in
either end Of the capital or only longer COM
mission In petty department clerkSh1p. But
when the citizen comes to Washington himself,
the mystery Is solved. He may not be able to
define them very clearly. but he cannot stay
long In the city without himself experiencing
in some measure those subtle influences which
render the capital so attractive to the parma-
nent restSent Even to the casual visitor there
IS sCiiicthlng very interesting about merely
watching the great governmental machine or
inspecting its component. parts. The very at
mosphere OF the capital, instinct with the Off
cial and social life that centerS about the seat of
government in great nation, seems to possess
singular charm, which dispOSes one to linger
and enjoy It. The stranger no longer wonders
that the oflice-holder likes Washington that he
constantly schemes for an extension of the
term; that, If finally deposed from power he
SO often prefers the most humble position here
to residence elsewhere.
Not the least among Washington's charms
are its physical and climatic advantages. No
one can longer doubt that the city is lit to be
sive plan ON which it was laid out in the early
years of the struggling republic, gives one a
fresh respect for those far-sighted fathers who
eo9td even I'm Saem aeynse se9 ae waiSa should
ment for fifty millions OF people, and be capa-
Bile of equal development with the progress Of
the nation hereafter. The broad avenues are q
constant source Of delight, the parks and
squares are ample for the needs Of a large CITY,
and the great system OF improvements, carried
through under the Shepherd regime, laid the
basis for the transformation of Washington from
struggling and neglected town to handsome
metropolis. Nothing goes farther to justify the
choice of this locality as the capital than Its
climate. Though 1t suffers from the summer
heats its temperature during by far the larger
part Of the year Is most comfortable, and the
change from the inclement weather, which pre-
| walls over the greater portion Of the country
| through the winter months to the usual balmy
air OF the capital Is especially grateful. Indeed
| as winter residence, Washington possesses
| greater charms than any other city on the con-
| tinent, what with its mild weather, its excep-
| tional social advantages and the attractions
! which the meeting Of Congress presents to any
| oneinterestedin studying our system OF govern
| ment at its fountain-head. Every year the capt.
tai is becoming more and more the winter head
quarters for people Of leisure for persons Of lit
cray tastes, for students OF politics. for devoteea
| OF fashion, and composite society Is gradually
growing up In which everybody Is sure to ind
! congenlal eaemen@