Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-20
TO WHOM DOES THE CITY OF WASH.
INGTON BELONG
Some Suggestions of Interest Upon This
Point.
To the Editor Of the EVENING STAR.

stions. To whom does this city of Washington
beiong' BY whom, with what purpose, and
Tor whose benefit was it established. and is it
maintained! Ia its improvement matter of
national or local interest? These questions are
not difficult to answer. In an examination of our
history on constitutional law no one would make
mistake in answering them. This city
BELONGS To THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.
1t is not an ordinary municipality but a
national capital. It was established by the
people of the United States acting through
their representatives in Congress assembled
It's inhabitants are not an organized community
Ihey are mere Incidents to a national capital
There are no citizens Of Washington. in the
American sense of that term. Not only have
they no peculiar or independent control of the
city In which they live but they have absolutely
less authority and influence in its management
tnan citizen Of Maine or Texas who has a vote
Tor member OF Congress. So long as q mere
exercise Of power is in question
No CONGRESSMAN HAS ANY DOUBT
as to the exclusively federal character of this
city When, a few years since an extra tax of
three per cent was imposed upon its property
owners as sort OF punishment for alleged abuse
OF authority by federal officers, there was no
hesitation in asserting the national supremacy
without regard to the wishes or interests OF the
1nhaoltants There are never any scruples about
the disbursement by the National Legislature of
the money raised by local taxation nor i'm as
Stunning. IN every other respect the most abso-
lutte control over the city and it's inhabitants 1t is
ohlv "hen an appropriation OF the money of the
general government for improving the CITY is
proposed that certain members of Congress-
seem to forget or desigCedly ignore the real char
acter OF such legislation respects its purpose
ana Justification. The inhabitants of the city are
then brought to the front. The matter is dis
cuSsed upon the assumption that they are the
real parties IN interest. and that such appropria-
tons are exclusively, OF primarily at least. for
their benefit
SUCH APPROPRIATIONS ARE TREATED AS QUASI
DONATIONS,
and opposed, criticised and restricted accord
inGiy. There will be no intelligent cOnsdera-
ton of measures for the Improvement of the CITY
uutil such ideas are rooted out of the minds
of our national legislators. Who are the in
habiiants of the city of Washington? It is not
a commercial city. 1t is not a manufacturing
city. 1t has no raiSOns detfe as an agricultural
center. II Is the national capital and is not and
never will be anything else. To realize how
thoroughly and enphaticaIly this is true it is
only necessary to think what would. be left of the
city should it cease to be the seat of govern
nient 1t is safe to say that in ten years it
would not contain ten Thousand inhabitants
CLASSES.
First, the large number directly in the employ
OF the government. Second. the perhaps larger
number uhoffcialy engaged in and about the
conduct of the various branches of governmental
business Third, persons who having the
means have been led by their tastes to select
the national capital as place of residence
Fourth. traders and laborers engaged in admin
lstering to the wants of the three preceding
classes 1t Is easy to see that neither of these
classes is here for any other reason than that
this Is the national capital. 1t is also difficult
TO See why either or all of them should be
Charged with the responsibility or burthened
with the expense of providing for the wants of
a National capital. 1t has become an axiom in
LEGISLATION that they are neither to be charged
with OF permitted any responsibility except as
10 payment OF expenses. Nor is this population
Hike that OF other cities consolidated homo
gene"us community with distinct local in
tcrest. IL is an aggregate of elements from
every part of the Union. which only partially
assiiiiiate. Many OF its Inhabitants retain their
citizenship. and nearly ALL more or less close
social. political and business relations with the
states from which they have come In other
words the city is in the character of its po,,r,-
laton as IN It's government distiDctively national
1t IS not city vi and for its residents but of
and for the people of the United States It's
growth and Improvement is not an indication Of
the prosperity of its inhabitants but of the
prosperity of the nation. It's future is in no
way involved in the financial success of its resi-
dents lt is conditional upon thee progress
and material development of the country of
which 1t Is the capital. lt is only by recognize
ing these facts and bearing them in mind as
premises for legislation that questions respect
iuS tue Improvement of the city can be fairly
and wisely considered and determined.
TIE PROPER INQUIRY
in reference to any proposed Improvement is not
no ;,bo
the city. but will it be national benefit 1t is
only when and because it will De for the benefit
OF the people of the United States that a men,
Der of Congress is justified in appropriatine for
the purpose money from the national Treasury
1T Is true that every improvement of the city
benefits it's Inhabitants. 1t enhances to some
extent the value of private property It adds to
the Comfort, health and pleasure of residents
who are not owners of property These consjd-
eFations form proper basis for local taxation
But they are only secondary considerations not
constituting of themselves sufficient iustifica-
ton OF legislation for such general improve
Inents as Is appropriate to a national capital
Ihey are proper considerations only so far as
they affect the primary controlling consideration
OF national interest. The prime question then for
the consideration OF a member of Congress is
this:
FROM NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW
is it or is it not desirable that the national cap
ital should be a large. populous, healthful and
beautiful city. do not propose to discuss this
question. Whether President Washington and
, the contemporary Congress were wise in plan
ming city OF this character. whether the carry
ing out Of this plan will tead to enhance the
dignity and influence of the nation; whether a
spacious and attractive city, drawing to itself
from every part OF the country a resident popu-
iation OF exceptional culture and refinement, is
a desirable environment fof those engaged in
dise'iafgia9 public duties; whether the citizens
OF the republic take an interest i'm its captaI
ana Will receive with satisfaction and pride such
deYeiopinent OF its natural advantages as will
make 1t the city of unriYalled beauty, which it
may easily become, are inquiries in respect to
which members Of Congress are likely TO have
opinions which will not be changed by argu-
ment. only wish TO point out the importance
| OF forming and having ON hand for ready
use Clear and Well settled conviction.
one way or the other, upon the gen
erai question above stated. The member
OF Congress who regards it as matter of indif-
ference to the national government or to the
people OF the United States whether or not the
capital consists OF anything beyond the public
buildings necessary for the transaction OF the
government business and residence accommo-
dationS for those engaged I'm its transaction Will