Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-04

never saw q werk of this kind which can APP
proach it in size. strength or durability. not
even the famous sewers under the city of Rome.
which have been in use for centuries, can COM
pare with this. 1t will probably require two
more appropriations to complete the work.
THE WEST END CITIZENS ASsOCI-
ALTON.
That End of the City Has Grievances.
Too.
To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR.
The lOng-COntnued and almost utter neglect
Of the westernmost portion of Washington
from the Circle to Rock creek at and near Penn
sylvania ayenue,-has compelled the west
enders to form an association to represent their
grievances and pray for their ameloration. The
facts in the premises may be thus exhibited
Let the passengers in a street car, other vehicle
or the pedestrian on the avenue going west
when say at Dist street, look ahead little
beyond 22d street. and perceive a dense grove
of trees, encirced within circular stone cOpinr
surmOunted by a tall. massive iron fence,
and as it is approached there is seen through
the branches white object of some kind and
continuing around on the north side, that light
coored object turns out to be the pedestal of
bronze equestrian statue of a general? Yes, it
is the Gen. George Washington 1t is an every
day occurrence for strangers passing to inquire
"Whose statue is that!" or "What does it rep
resent?' 1t is really that splendid. effective
and admirable work of art. by Clark Mills. rep
resenting Washington at the battle Of Prince
ton at the moment when the murderOus fire of
the British veterans caused our COntinentallers
to reCOil and then amidst that death-hail of
lead, Washington rode to the front and rallied
our patriots Ito do or die" The likeness
is good. and the expressive effect is per-
feet success. Amidst the HURTING battle-stOrm
the atfrighted brute rears and snorts and trem-
bles in every fibre. whilst his noble und!smayed
rider calmly and resolutely looks the situation
in the face. How unfortunate it was to the
cause OF art. and appropriate establishment Of
this end of the avenue. that the proper historic
pedestal designed for this was not approved by
Congress, though 1t may yet be applied to the
purpose. SO much for this fine statue of the
founder of the Republic and of the city of Wash
lngtOn-thus ignored. thus masked in trees and
bushes. and envirOned by a penitentarv palli-
sadO. Shades OF our fGretathers mot our CITY
| fathcrs> look down beneficientiy upon us
In addition to this blrbarOus neglect of the
statue. its cage-ikc Recommendation. with the
density Of its foliage and innocency of lamp
and watchmen. is--as it has been for years
! the inviting resort of black Guard hoodlums
and the depravcd scum of the population. so
that ladies. and often gentlemen, walk around
instead of passing through the Washing
ton circle. Why not Messrs. Commission
ers. remove the iron Gordon so utterly useless
and offensive. and cut out and prune away the
superiluoUs trees that the statue may be seen by
all and appeal 10 their appreciation? And why
leave only suc! sections of the granite curbing
Tor convenient seats AID to define. BIZ broken
/ line. the continuity ot the circle?
Leaving this Washington cage and grove let
us proceed towards, the little narrow iron aque-
duet bridge, spanning Rock Greek and there
| as background for the statue. il urnasked. Is
rare view! BY authority Of somebody. Of
course, the terminus OF the Avenue at said
bridge is desecrated by immense close fences for
bulletin boards of shOwmcn and other
fi,,,r k{,n,
pal thoroughfare of cur metropolis. like the en-
| trance to fish wier or eel trap-on both sides
to the posts of the MISUNDERSTANDING the view
and free passage Of air. In the name of all de-
cency, and in behalf OF the rights of the neigh
bOrhOOd and all others interested in the welfare
and beauty of the metropolis, have the bulk
heads removed, and such proper metal guard
| fences erected in their place as Is deemed
proper!
Are not the taxes on property here as promptly
paid as elsewhere? Are its Inhabitants in any
manner less deserving of consideration than
more fortunate and consequential citizens?
street, at this end Of the city. continues a
most unsightiy and inconvenient rotten road
Iwenty-fourth street, quite narrow, Was paved
by Gov. Shepherd with cobble-stones, and the
harsh clatter of vehicles through 1t is agOnzing
to the sick and infirm, and hearty people are
| rudely awakened from needful repose by the
rafting din of cart or wagon. And 25th
street Is in very primitive condition.
We are not sure that the sewerage
| into Rock creek is exactly what it ought to be,
considering all else connected with our extre:n-
ity of the city to be in keeping. The remarks Of
stranger in the Circle to the author OF this, to
whom he had applied for Information about the
statue were: TITS well that the great monu-
ment to the father of his country is thus so
lofty, aspiring heavenward. as if invoking spe-
cial blessings upon the metropolis; be-
! yOnd-high above mans row-lnindedness and
political apathy, not to be retired in a jungle of
trees! A WEST ENDER.