Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-11-03
Is Washington an Unhealthy City!

terize the National Capital as one of
the most unhealthy cities in the Union,
and the Executive Mansion as little
better than pest-house. The charge
is as mischievous as it is false. We in
vite attention to the following from the
pen of Colonel John w. Forney, who
spent twenty years of busy life in
this city, and speaks with full knowl-
edge of the subject In the last issue
OF Progress, Colonel Forney says
President Arthur himself has un-
consciously given credence to this be-
lief by taking up his residence on Cap
itol Hill, in the fine building erected
by Benjamin f. Butler on New Jersey
avenue, now occupied by Senator Jones,
of Nevada. Having lived myself on
tliis very spot, and for more than twenty
years in other quarters of Washington
city, at all seasons, winter and summer,
feel impelled to say afew words in
vindication, not only of the place itself,
but of its wholesome atmosphere, de-
lightful geographical position, and alto
gether interesting environs and history.
One fact deserves conspicuous remem-
brance at the present time that
there is no record at any period when
the National Capital has suffered from
an epidemic. Other cities have been
swept by the cholera, and some by
yellow fever. but the exception has al
ways been that of Washington. Nor
folk and Baltimore have frequently
been fatally assailed by contagion, and
yet Washington city, in their very
neighborhood, has escaped. The vel
low fever drove Washington and bis
Cabinet from Philadelphia, in 1898, to
Germantown, and there is no doubt that
the recollection of the historic health of
the beautiful vicinity afterward select
ed rs the seat of the national govern
ment induced its early choice by the
fathers of the republic. The dry sea-
son which is just closing distributed
malaria all over the country, and Wash
ington city could be no exception; but
it is a remarka' ble circumstance that
Notwithstanding the extraordinary
drought the general health of the whole
world has been excellent, and danger
Gus fevers have almost been unknown.
The reasons which prompted the de-
cision IN favor of the present site of the
national capitol are historical, and al
though many efforts have since been
made to remove it to a more central
point, the objection was reserved for
the present time, that it occupies very
unhealty position There was a pro-
tracted conflict II congress nearly one
hundred years ago over the claims Of
other localities. At one time Wrights-
vile, on the Susquehanna river, oppo-
site Columbia, Lancaster county, Penn
sylvania. was the favorite, and at an
other time Germantown, at present in
Philadelphia city, was almost decided
upon. But at last, by the act of con-
gress of March 80, 1871, the ten-mile
quare on the Maryland side of the Po-
tomac was selected by President Wash
ington in person and called after his
name, and on the 10Th of April of the
same year the corner stone Of what was
then called the Federal Territory was
laid by three commissioners appointed
by the president, together with the Off
Gals of Alexandria, Va. In the follow
ing year the lines of the boundary di-
rected by Washington's own proclama-
ton were permanently marked by
square-mile stones.
1t is Justly said by residents and for
eigners, by those who live in Washing
ton and those who visit the place, that
there is no city on this continent more
attractive and more improving than
the national capitol Its magnificent
pavements, its wonderful squares, its
tlourishing trees, and, above all, its
splendid public buildings, crowhed by
the capitol edi6ce itself, are all 50
many promises of an unexampled fu-
ture. The only absurdity upon which
public opinion seems to unite is the
story that Washington city is unhealthy,
and the presidential mansion is sort
of official hospital where presidents are
sent to sicken and die. Men do not
forget that the bluff overlooking the
Potomac, where the capitol now stands,
would also have contained the presi-
dents mansion, but that as long ago as
the beginning of the century, when
Capitol Hill was believed to be the flu
ture center of the city itself, the owners
OF lots Oh the plateau facing eastward
luiileuiatcly ptte up INC prices VI leai
estate so high that the most command
ing and salubrious portion of Washing
ton remained unsettled for more than
fifty years, and that the shops and resi-
dences of the citizens grew steadily in
the northwestern direction, following
the valley, on either side of Pennsylva-
MIA avenue, extending slowly toward
the northern limits of the city and
westward to Georgetown.
This retrospect will also explain why
the Treasury Department, Interior De-
partment, Postof,ice Department. the
Agricultural Department, the new State,
War, and Navy departments, and the
Smithsonian Institute have all been
constructed in the valley instead of
above on the broad and beautiful
plateau extending eastward from the
Capitol. And now about the Presiden-
tial mansion or the White house, as it
is popularity called. So much. is said
against that building, and unjustly
said, that | think few words in its
favor will not only be excused hut ex-
peeted No president ever died in the