Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-02
The Establishment Of the National
Capital.


In view OF the tact that the one hundredtf
anniversary OF the occupation OF Washington
as the seat OF the general government viii &C
cur In little more than thirteen years from
this date, 1t is high time that public attention
should be called to the many important i'm
prorements which are needed In order that THU
capital may wOrthiiy represent the population
wealth., power and culture Of the nation. Tn,
natural growth OF the city will OF course, In thu
time indicated, widely extend the Improve
and dwellings required to fully exhibit thu
beauty of L'Enfants grand plan. But thers
are certain great works Indispensable to the
proper end tasteful establishment OF the nA
lionAl capital which can only be executed by
the enlightened iberality OF the general gov
ornnicnt
For example, propositions are pending ID
Congress to commemorate the public ser
vices Of Lincoln by u monument. There
name of this eminent man than by the erection
OF memorial building OF stately proportions
tor the use of this city aud the country at large
Such . building ought ~ Contain among Other
things:
i. Ample quarters for all the municipal Of
fees of the city.
tionai conventions. Inauguration balls and
giving public receptions u distinguished pub
3. A smaller hall for tho meetings of the scien.
tlfc associations and the numerous other bodies
which are beconitnx more aud more ia the
habit OF holding their annual conventions here.
4. A gallery tor historical pictures and statues.
B. Rooms for The preservation OF the archives
of the District Of Columbia.
8; A public library Tor the uss Of the people
While every thoughtful and patriotic man
must admit that grand memorial Of Grant
ought to decorate this city, all must feel that it
would be ine1pedisnt 70 build here another
monument OF spilled stone like that which
The proposition, therefore, TO nonor the name
OF Grant by the erection Of q grand memorial
bridge across the Potomac 90 as to connect the
consideration. This suggestion SHOULD not be
adopted unless 1t il 70 be carried out on mag
niticent aud impressive plan. To build 1t upon
none Of the like structures which embeIlish The
capitals of the old world would Involve the ex-
y a. NJ a % u 1Ga st a y S wore
Now that the National library is TO be built
on Capitol Hill. Congress should at its next
three squares north OF the library premises for
the use o; the supreme Court and Department
oil Justice. The planning Of q suitable builaing
opportunity tor some American architect Of
genius 70 vastly Improve upon the general char.
sc,er Of the public buildings Of Washington,
and to show that tasteful architecture II not Q
It IL known that the public necessities now
General Post Once, tho Inferior department,
tue light-bouse board and the city post Office.
These and ali other public buildings threaten
ure and encroscninent upon the parks and res
ervati0ns. Every man of taste and culture
should exert all OF his innuence to protect the
city against both Of these evils.
The establishment VI national university L.
matter Of the very 1rsl importance as = meas
ure Tor swing Warrington such . standing ~
would render II the literary - well - The
social and political capital OF the nation. Sen
ator Ingalls, bill now pepding In the senate,
would. II passed by Congress, % all thai could
be desired, and give greater impetus 10 the
prosperity Of The city than any other single
measure. II would bring hlther large bOdy
Of learned men ~ prOies6ofS ana teaehera, and
the COnc0urse OF stuoeh0 would add th0uoAndo
70 the population.
Such ara some Of the mAtten which ought g
be urged upon the attention ct Ooueross BY .
duly chosen and inausnlial committee Of eit-
soma Too much care eAnnot ~ oxerciooa In
selecting that committee In order thas under
their guidance Tire week may " eucceesluaiy
carried 0ut q worthily oanbeilishing the na-
taonAl oApltAl ~ American tnnto and xontun