Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-27
THEN AND NOW.
An interesting RENT niscence-KHaye
We a Prophet Among ISL

change of their form of government and in
view OF the attempts now being made in certain
quarters to return to the old order of things.
the following letter written by Mr. Hallet Kill
bourn and published in the Chronicle of this
city in December, 1867. will be read with inter-
est. both as historical reminder and warning
As Is well known to those familiar with the SUBJ
ject, Mr.. kilbOurn was one of the first. if not
the very first. to agitate the subject of d change
ana an untiring worker in its behalf. His pho
tOgTaph oil the condition of things then existing
IS wonderfully accurate, while the manner in
which his predictions as to the growth and i'm
proyement of the city have been so thoroughly
Eefihed 10y actual results as to make them seem
almost like prophecy.
To The Editor of tie Chronicle:
STATING THE CASE.
The question of the government Of the Dis
trict of Columbia is one OF national import-
ance, and it is hoped that the agitation of the
subject, necesstated by the near expiration of
the charter of the city of Washington, will
Cause our National Legislature to reflect upon
the matter, and in the wisdom of their de-
fberations establi a system of government
for the District Of Columbia which will prop
erly represent the fact that the seat of Govern
ment of the United States is exclusively under
the control of Congress. as provided for by ex-
press terms of the Constitution. For fifty wears
past Congress has delegated to the people of
Washington the power Of local legislation over
matters which directly affect the property and
consequently the public interests Of the people
OF the United States. This is contrary to the
spirit and intention of the law which established
the National capital in a district over VIII CHI by
the express terms Of cession and acceptance
Congress was to exercise exclusive legislation
in all cases whatsoever. The District Of Column
bia Is the nations capital, it's government to be
controlled and directed entirely through the
legislative enactments of the Congress Of the
people OF the United States, and not by the in
habitants Of the District. The people of the
District Of Columbia have no inherent legislative
powers; they locate here under the broad clause
of the Constitution Of the United States which
says that Congress shall exercise exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever over this Dis
trict." The fact that Congress ever delegated
to the people of the District power Of local egis-
ton is to be regretted; for had Congress eXer-
cised exclusive legislation and appointed a board
OF commissioners 20 administer the legislation
as enacted by Congress, the condition of the IA
lions capital would be far different from what it
now is.
THINGS AS THEY EXIST.
The capital OF the United States at present is
grand skeleton city and suburbs struggling
under the Affections OF four different legislative
and governing powers-Congress, Washington
Corporation. Georgetown Corporation and Levy
or County COurt-eaCh administering different
laws. often conflicting, never harmonious. OF
course. as natural consequence of such legis-
lation, the seat or government Of the great
United States Is in q more ragged unfinished
dlsiointed, uninViting. and slovenly condition
than any other same-szed territory in Chrsten-
dom peopled by 10000 inhabitants More law
ana less government than any community in
America. Had Congress never permitted subOr-
onate legislation within the District the capitai
OF America would to-day De the most attractive
city and surroundings in the land. in " hich pri-
Vate wealth would vie with Government in the
erection OF handsome buildings magnificent
Residences, the establishment of scientific and
Charitable institutions, and general identifying
and adjoining Of the capital city of our great Re-
public.
WHAT IS NEEDED.
What we now want is that Congress shall
assume its proper and constitutional relations
over the affairs OF this District and thus regen-
crate the nations capital from the slough of
local partisan cllques and place it in the line of
promotion. to become in time the first capital of
the world. AS the seat of Government, the Dis
trct of Columbia belongs to the people of the
United States. and Congress. as trustee of the
people. should natiO1alZe the management of
its affairs; as the capital Of the Republic this
District is the ward of the nation and Congress
Is the guardian appointed by the Constitution
TO exercise exclusive control over it. Let the
Government appoint a board of commissioners.
who are qualified by character, wisdom and
experience, to administer the affairs Of the Dis
trict under the proper laws enacted by Congress-
Such commissioners and laws, subject at all
times to the control of Congress- and do away
with all character and kinds of municipal legis-
latlye bodies within the territory selected as the
seat of the national Government By no other
form OF government can Congress exercise
exclusive legislation and natiOnaiize the CAPITAL
Of the Republic.
WHAT WOULD RESULT
Under such plan the affairs Of the District
would be managed upon system uniform in its
applications the millions of dollars worth of
Government property here would be protected
and cared for by the same authority that regu-
lated the public interests of the individual prop
erty-hOlders; there would be uniform system
Of grades for streets and avenues. of sewerage
gaslights, pavements, &c. In short instead of.
"a is too often the case under our municipal leg
islation. an antagOnism OF interest between the
city and Congress resulting in confusion ne
glect and disorder to our streets and avenues
there would be an harmonious unity in the man
agenent OF the community Of interests With
remarkable unanimity. the substantial citizens
business men. property owners and taxpayers of
the District are earnestly in favor of Congress eX-
ercsinG exclusive control over the affairs of
the District in the manner herein Indicated be-
thus exclusively exercise legislative control of
the District; and also because they feel conf
dent that the taxes collected on their property
will be far more judiciously expended under pro-
per government commissioners than through the
manipulation Of our noisy, quarrelling partisan,
irresponsible local city governments. Municpal
legislative government&ithin the District of Co
lumbia. whether one or many always has been,
Is, and ever will be- in brief. an intOlerable nus-
ance, an incubus upon the growth, DEVELOPMENT
and prosperity OF theDistrict irrespective of the
party. Color or sex who. FOR the time. NAV rule
supreme in the noisy councils not that the In
div .ual members are necessarily bad men. but
the system is rotten to the very core Our citi-
zens remember plug Ugly" times when dele
cations OF ''rOuShs' came over from Baltimore
to interfere In our municipal elections; when
firearms were freely used. human lives de-
stroyed, and persons MANNED for life. The alb
surdity Of municipal elections and local legisa-
tive bodies within the District OF Columbia must
be apparent to every one upon moments re-
Election.
WHY NOT MAKE THE CHANGE7
This being the territory selected exclusively
for the purposes Of the United States Govern
ment. full and exclusive Jurisdiction being
vested In Congress over all the affairs of the
vhut