Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-10

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ngs were open lots and fields. In some sections OF
the District private watchmen are employed BY the
large that it is impossible for them to aford the
needed protection against thieves and burglars,
TO secure efficient members Of the force hereafter
however, certain restrictive features of the law
changed. II the provision requiring APPOINTMENTS
the or naVy be- then 1 t serea 10
Ing Apprentices to be residents OF the Metropolitan
police district for two years should be repealed so
to appointment without regard to residence
The fire department costs s99, 140 Its discipline
ana effectiveness are shown by the small aggre-
gate loss during the year from fires
THE APPROPRIATION FOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Is 100000, the same as for the past four years.
This sum Is inadequate to replace the old wooden
pavements, and meet the urgent demands for the
Improvement Of the remaining unpaved Streets ;but
1t Is all the committee felt justified In allowing in
view Of the other pressing needs OF the District
nterceptng sewer calls for $S5 900, increase OF
$35, 900 over last year. $4,000 have already been
expended upon 1t, but yet 1t Is OF little benefit
will reach Gales creek, and be of permanent ad-
vantage to the city. The northwestern intercept
ing sewer-a new work OF considerable import
ance-the estimated cost 0f which is $75,OOO-re-
qu1res $4,000.
The items for current expenses Of streets and
s.
sion $4,000, and for lighting the streets and nee
essary repairs in connection Herewith $1O6, $50.
Inc health department. Is given $4,000
port OF the insane, the asylum. the reform school,
the relief of the poor and contributions for hospi-
a In Part BY private be-
was s37 COO two years ago. and $4,000 last year, is
increased to $43 2O0-the propOrtionate expense of
insane assigned to the District per report OF its
superintendent.
=. In view Of the growing demands for appropria-
ClonS 1Or charitable purposes. the
CREATION OF BOARD OF CHARITIES,
having the supervision Of all the expenditures on
account Of benevolent institutions in the District
would be wise measure for Congress to adopt
The revenues OF the District, under the present
permanent system of the equal division OF its ex-
penses between the general government and the
taxpayers, will suffice for the extinguishment of
the debt, have shown, provides for all the gen.
eral expenses. and carry forward from year to
year, at a moderate rate OF progress, the work of
grading and paving, the construction OF sewers,
ADMIRABLE SYSTEM OF TREE PLANTING
In the streets which have added so much to the
beauty and comfort OF the city. There are how
ever, two important lines of expenditure which
Should be undertaken by the government alone
and which ought not to be longer postponed. The
most pressing Of these is the
ENLARGEMENT OF THE WATER SUPPLY
OF the present population. Serious Inconvenience
is experienced by househoders living in the higher
districts by reason OF the want OF sufficient press
ure in the pipes to carry the water to the upper
stories. The consumption by the government as
well as by the citizens is increasing rapidly, and
the need OF early action to increase the supply is
TOO apparent to require argument. No provision
Is made to meet this need by the bill under consid-
GRAFTON, the subject being more properly one for
special legislative action A reference to it here
wit
marks on the general affairs OF the District.
need hardly add that whatever measure Congress
may adopt to deal with this question should con-
template such an increase OF aqueduct and reser-
voir capacity as will meet all possible wants for
long time to come
The other Improvement which demands the at
tention of Congress is provided for by separate
Dill now pending. refer to the
RECLAMATION OF THE TIDAL FLATS
lying along the water front OF the city. When the
capital was first established here there was deep
water in the river from Georgetown down to the
mouth OF the Eastern branch, and vessels passed
up and down the stream where there Is now a
broad miasmatic marsh, barely covered at high
tide. The filling of this marsh and the improve
ment OF the channel, deemed practicable by COM
petent engineering authority, will greatly pro-
District. Thatit is the duty of the national gov
eminent to promptly undertake this improvement
cannot be doubted. The land reclaimed will be
the property OF the government, and according to
careful estimates will more than repay the cost Of
the improvement
In conclusion, permit me to say a few words
about the very
GRATIFYING GROWTH OF WASHINGTON
In recent years. In 1870, the population OF the
District OF Columbia was 131 ECO. The census Of
1880 showed it to have increased to III 624. The
two years which have elapsed since the census
was taken have undoubtedly added 10000 more to
the population. This substantial growth, CON-
pairing favOraby with that OF many of the pros
manufacturing al iS
largely due to the wise and just policy of Congress
IN contributing its share toward beautifying the
city and making it peculiarly desirable place of
residence. 1t cannot be attributed to the devel-
opment OF the surrounding country, for that has
made very little progress; nor to the increase Of
commerce or trade, for Washington, owing to it's
long neglected water front, has but little COM
merce, and its trade is limited to supplying the
wants OF it's own inha bitantS Nor have mani,fac-
lures, or other important business enterprises
been established to encourage Immigration, by
employing large numbers OF working people. We
must, therefore, seek for the cause OF the large ad-
dltlons TO the population OF the capital
IN ITS INCREASING ATTRACTIvENEss
as place OF residence. This view is sustained by
the character of the recent improvements. The
many substantial and spacious houses lately
erected show a large influx of people of means
ual and social advantages of Washington and its
facilities for leading healthful and agreeable
lives. Entire sections, which were lately waste
land, have been reclaimed and are now covered
Dy residences which for cOmmOdiOuSness and
architectural beauty are scarcely surpassed in any
of the great cities OF the world The owners of
these dwellings and of the thousands OF other
comfortable houses built within the past decade
have chosen Washington as place OF permanent
ABODE because OF its Well-paved, well-drained and
well-shadei streets; its many attractive parks:
Its statues and monuments recalling glorious
events and heroic men; it's treasures of art and
science; its stately public buildings; it's mild
winter climate: its cultivated hospitable society,
and the constant interest which attaches to it as
the seat OF the government OF great nation.
a hA midi inf
gent policy ii has lately Exaggerated in regard to
District affairs to make the capital the object Of
national pride its projectors intended it should be-
and have no doubt that the people will heartily
approve all proper legislation looking to this end
SOCIETY NOTES.
Entertainments, even dinner parties. seem to
have ceased almost entirely this week. But it has
been the longest season on record, having begun in
October, when the French and German visitors