Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-11-10
Prosperity Of the Capital and
its Character as an
Educator.
A Business as we'll as Political Cen
tsr.---Operation of the Land
Cfice and Some Reflections
Thereon.
Assistant Secretary New and the
National Banking System.---
Interesting Personal
Paragraphs.

~@N'>>SS~--".'
Washington, November 6, lsS3.-The
national seat of government never looked
like it does now. in any preceding No
vember. The shop windows of the bust
ness streets were never SO profuseIy
with fabrics OF the loom, gems
Of the mine, and creations Of the artist.
In every line of merchandise the attrac
tions are profuse. Fall business has set
in early and profitable season is sntici-
pated. Members of congress and others
who intend passing the winter are leas-
ing dwellings and paying enormous rents.
The demand for houses was never what
1t is at present and prices were never SO
high before. Each year adds to the num-
Der of wealthy winter residents in Wash
ington and increases the requirements OF
the population for first class places of
abode. This gives enhanced value to
real estate, stimulates building and adds
to the general mercantile business of the
city. It is indicative of the general pros
perity of the country. Whenever the
country at large enjoys business health
its effect is visible in the capital. Wash
ington grows as the nation grows, and
there is as great future for this city as
there is for the republic it represents.
Lord Coleridge expressed his aston,sh.
ment when here at seeing SO large city
destitute of commerce. His observation
was not close or he would kave made no
such remark. The Touring and paper
mills of Georgetown, now q part OF
Washingtoa, and the product of the
coal mines Of Cumberland, which seeks
. market by way of the canal and river,
create an extensive commerce. The
river and coasting trade is very consid-
erable. Heretofore Baltimore hiss en-
joyed almost monopoly OF this husi-
ness. but during the past year Washing
ton has driven Baltimore entirely from
the Potomac river and has taken much
of its Rappahannock, james river and
Norfolk trade. There ia an important
mercantile traffic by railroad with the
adjacent country, and the railroad pass.
enger business is superior to that Of
Baltimore. Washington has ceased to
be dependent suburb of Baltimore, aud
is steadily asserting its rights to dignity
and importance. As an educator for the
whole country south of this latitude
Washington is playing most importan,
part. 1t is intoxicating liberal senti.
ments, broadening the views aud nation.
alixing the ldeas of the southern people
In way almost imperoeptible TO them
selves yet very pseceptible to Others
The southerner takes kindly to this edu
cational process and in due time will de-
velop strong national character-,nor,
truly American than will be found else
where in tho country. The south viii
be the future conservator of the republic
It now has no peculiar institution tt
maintain.
The gold mines OF Virginia. Mort,
Carolina and Georgia are attracting NOR
attention now than ever. The gold mine
of California are becoming less and les
productive, and there is unceasing con
aict between the miners on the uppe
rivers and the farmers on the lowe
rivers. The debris from the miues in tin
mountains inds lodgment in the field
and meadows of the valleys, and if farm
ing 10 to continue gold mining must, i
great measure, cease. Then Californ,
10 at great distance from eastern cap
. talists, and they prefer Investments nc
, % far from home. Hence the interes
,, now taken in the mines of the Aliegh.
ny slope. Besides gold there is minin
for silver in virgiria and Maryland, Il
. copper extensively in Pennsylvania an
: for mica in the immediate vicinity
Washington. All these things Lave valr
1 bat sank into ,nsieniacanee when cen
81 pared with the coa, sni iron which U,