Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-09-19


m ,.tl,,hL ruIrN.
n. ~ the nlnso aliim|, rnst
impressions ale most lasting" then
there are two landmarks nj the seat
81 en,crument Of our country, which
must Iudclhbly stamp the outlines OF
grandeur upon the memory of every
visitor These arc the Capitol build
ing AMI the Washington monument.
Long before the contour of the city
nppcnf. IA view, the ln;nens" dome
AMI culuLadcs Of the grand tdliice
aud IL, majestic proportions oil the
maihlc shaft pierce the sky, from
nuv point Of vision by which they
mny be approached. The situation
If the city Is at the head OF tide wa
ter on the Potomac lIvcr ut It's con-
hucnco with he Anicos,ia, forming
ono Of the lioadost wate--courses
in the Union. The site is well
adapted for iis object and chain
If low wooded hills encircle the city
on the east. north and west, whose
sidoe aud submits aifJid command
IN ylcws. The plan upon which it
IL hult is in admirable keeping with
the design OF the capital of great
nation. The avenues, which radlate
from the grand central building,
me- all wide aud elegantly adorned
by the choicest works OF art, with a
TIA, conception Of those require
mcnl. which would most enhance
tho natural beauty OF the surround
ings Iuoso avenues are named af
ter tho several States and afford an
Unrestricted Wow of the Capitol
fIom all points OF the compass.
Pennsylvania Avenue, on the west,
ranks with Commonwealth Avenue
Of llostoh, in elegance, one of the
finest streets on tho continent. 1t
extends from tho Capitol n mile
aud a half To the White Hou c, the
home IL the President, and thence
beyond TO Georgetown. Washing.
ton, unlike New York, was not in
tended for n commercial city, and
It's founders were not, therefore,
bound by those arbitrary rules
which business necessities enjoin,
aud sacrifice grandeur TO utility and
beauty TO convenience.
Aside, however, from the public
buildings. most Of which are mas
sive monuments of architectural
skill, nnl the liberal proportion of
ground area devoted to public uses,
Washington has but little TO estab-
lish or maintain its rank rs the cap
ilal city Of "a great nation. The pri-
vato buildings are, many Of them,
inferior. and mono equal to some OF
these found in purely commercial
cities. Wizards Hotel, for instance,
IL u plain brick structure, without
the slightest attempt at ornament,
aud can only be tolerated under the
ides which seems To prevail that Oh
lects antique arc entitled to respect
II not admiration.
Tho act establishing the seat of
government at Washington was
passed IN 1870, and in $500 the
transfer was made from Philadelphia
where II had formerly been located.
Tho city and ,ho District Of CO.
lumbia were under tho immediate
control of Congress until 1871, when
an act was passed establishing a Ter.
rltofinl form Of government. But it
seems that "our colored brethren ;
who largely prodominate during the
recess of Congress, made such good
use Of their ncwly-acquired elective
franchise. rs to practically control
the making aud administration of
the local laws, and the grand old
Republican party in time became
di-gustod with the evident intention
to maintain this color-line, and in
1874 abolished the executive and
legislature, yesiing authority tenn
lOfnnly IN ihieo Commissioners.
! This form a. government was made
permanent ia 1878, and although
the President appoints these Com.
missioner, the colorel population
still ,Norciso "a controlling influence
IA municipal affairs while the Ad-
miniriiniion hesltatcs TO apply the
icmcd, provided foi fear of antago.
niling the darkey vote at National
ani state elections. SO the black
sult Is still trumps and will probably
remain 50. Gs long as it requires
nnr.r and 30 much soap to keer
the g. q. l.. at the helm.
Tho corner stone Of the original
capitol building was laid by General
Washington, on the 18Th day OF Sep.
tcmber. 1893. The ediiice was no,
yet completed when it was DESTROYED
by the British army in 1874. 1t war