The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-05-20
orderly gatherings of the malcon-

orderly gatherings of the malcon-
tents.
The prospects for a National Ii
brary seem to be pretty good. Mon
day has been appropriated to buy
the ground east of the capitol, pro-
vided it can be secured for the
amount, and if it cannot be bought
the committee is empowered to
have it condemned and appraised.
This Improvement will make Capt.
tol Hill the most beautiful quarter
of the city. The building will be a
square stone structure of modern
lied reconnaissance style adapted for
library purposes. The cost Will be
about 100000. A Washington
architect, J. l.. Smithmeyer, ear
ried off the prize, his design having
been pronounced superior to those
of any of the Government archi-
tects.
As the District has no delegate
or representative in Congressi it can
easily be seen that there car be no
one interested in procuring legisla-
ton for improvements within its
borders, unless from a patriotic
sentiment hat the capital of this
great country should be liber-
ally dealt with in order to make
it an attractive center. There are
few such public spirited men in
Congress, and people who think
that Washington is a favored city
as far as Congressional aid is con-
cerned will be undeceived when
they come to live here. 1t is only
when senators and members become
owners of real estate in the District
that they bestir themselves to push
through bills for the government of
the city.
1t is proposed in Congress to
build an annexto the White House,
to be occupied exclusively by the
President and his family fora resi-
dence, and $780, 0Ois to be expend-
ed thereon. The present historical
structure to remain intact and be
used simply as an office. This plan
has its advantages. When a visi-
tor calls to see the President, as he
is now domiciled, andis toldhe can
not see him he generally feels that
there istoomuch heightened official
exclusiveness in the high places of
the Government, and that as an
American citizen he has a right to
interview the chiefmagistrate, even
if the latter has to get up from din
ner to receive him. But if the Presi-
dent lived in an adjoining mansion
this difficulty would be obviated,
for visitors would not think of
troubling him in his private par
lors. On the other hand tits pretty
generally conceded that the lower
part of the city, where the White
House stands is not so healthy as
the high ground of the ampitheatre
of hills around the northern part
of Washington, and as a place OF
residence the vicinity of the De
partment, which cluster around the
present mansion, is undesirable.
There is a fine stretch oflawn south
of the White House, reaching to
Babcock lake at the foot of the
Washington monument, and cross
ing a causeway one stands on the
slope ofthe bank of the river, which
is at this point over a mile wide
presenting a pretty landscape pic
ture which will be still further di-
versed by the Potomac flats park:
now being laid out on the reclaim
) cd river land. From the heights
overlooking the city the view is
superb, embracing the whole city
with the broad Potomac stretching
away toward Alexandria-seven
miles distance-the Long Bridge
Arlington Heights, Fort Meyer, the
Aqueduct Bridge, the Insane Asy.
lum, Fort Washington, Anacostia
:. City, and Georgetown, all lying out
side of the city.
One would suppose that a Presi-
dent, sick and tired of the affairs OF
the nation and importuned by of.
flee seekers, would seek the quiet
restfulness Of such a spot rather
than merely step into the next
house where there would be nc
change for him except in his i'm
mediate surroundings. Economy
governs Congress in tltcirselection
of sites, and in this case the grounds
south of the Executive Mansion be-
long to the Government, and the
property on the heights of private
parties, making the total cost of the
mansion much more.
A number of men, prominent in
public affairs ofthe years past, have
settled down in Washington or its
|, vicinity to spend the remainder Of
their days. Among these is ex-
Secretary Hugh Mccullough, who
lives, the year round, on his farm
about seven miles from the city in
Maryland. He is now over seven
ty years old, but strong and well
preserved. With him are his fam
lily, consisting of his wife and
: youngest daughter. The latter is a
tall graceful girl of eighteen and is
frequently seen on horseback rid
ing about over the country alone.
The ex-Secretary says he is tired of
,. society, has got enough of it; but
his wife and daughter, although
very fond of flowers and the coun-
try, would not object to residence
in the city, and a taste of the gay
attractions which Miss Mccullough
had here during the last year of the
Arthur administration has not
niuan hnr q roru ctrnnm dnsirn for q