The Washington critic., 1886-10-26
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER ao, 1886.
ROADS AND AVENUES.

and growth OF every large town ue-
pend in no small degree upon the num-
Der and character of the roads connect
Ing II with the surrounding country.
The better the roads-and they should
reach every place that Is even remotely
worth rcaching-thc better for the
town.
Especially is this true of a city like
Washington, which being the National
Capital, aud In that respect the most
important city In the country, should
be of all others The most accessible, not
merely by lines of railway, t. the great
general public, but by good, substan-
tial thoroughfarcs, facilitating the
travel aud traffic that ma urally flow
in this direction from many points in
our more immediate neighborhood.
Yet we doubt If there is any city of
half or quarter the size Of Washington
in The whole United States that is 50
poorly equipped with radlning subur-
ban roads, or which, if afflicted with
such deficiency would stand II for
more than the time required to build
them.
The people of the District appreciate
this lack of facilities, but having no
voice in the management of their local
affairs, are practically without remedy,
excepting such as is to be had in wait
ing upon the slow motions of Congress;
and even here their wishes are in con-
stant danger of being overruled and
the public good subordinated to private
interests.
The proposed extension of Massachu.
sets avenue, in itself commendable
project were the means available to
push 1t through, has called sharp atten-
tion to the subject, and although the
opposition to this particular scheme
has more or less foundation in local
jealousies, the controversy growing
out of 1t contains the elements of an
agitation which should never cease un-
til some general system of street ex-
tension, supported by ample appropria
tions, Is secured, that shall not only
bring the best suburban property into
market, but every outlying town and
village into nearer and easier access to
the city.
The District Commissioners are gov
erned by public. spirited motives in this
matter, and aim TO do the best that can
be done with the means at lbeir COM
nand. But their plans are as yet upper
fected and they have practically moth
ing to do with What is $4,000 for
opening and extending Massachusetts
avenue? And what is to be gained by
entering upon work of that magni-
tude with mere handful of money
and not dollar to eXpend upon other
avenues aud roads that stand quite as
much in need Of similar Improvement?
One of the first and most urgent
duties of the Commissioners, however,
will be to mature system Of avenue
and street extension that will meet the
requirements Of the situation. Once
matured, it should be pressed upon
Congress with all the weight of inilu-
ence that can be brought to bear.
Herein is where the value of we'll
be proftably demonstrated The object
is to secure such legislation In this be-
half, as is commensurate with the needs
of great and growing city, that
virtually has no suburban roads worthy
of the name and multitude of streets,
which, though running with geomet.
rical precision to all points Of the com.
pass, lead only to Nowhere.
JUDGE REAGAN of Texas and Senator
Cullom of Illinois, who have both had
bills before Congress for years pas
regulating interstate commerce, al
though Judge Reagan's efforts in this
direction began even before Mr.. Cullon
became Senator, will take solid com
fort In the principle enuncated by the
Supreme Court of the United States
yesterday The decision, considering
necessarily adds great strength to the
many strong arguments already ad
vanced that the general public should
take hold Of the matter OF interstate
traffic and prevent unjust discrimina
tions by common carriers. The Stat
of Illinois endeavored to regulate rail
road compensation for itself and in it
own way, In order TO prevent dis
elimination; and other States, notabl
Georgia, have laws of simila
character. But the Supreme Cour
says that supervision and regulation
of The kind referred to is of n nationa
character, and can only be had through
general rules and principles which dc
mand that the work shall be done b
the Congress Of the United States un
der the Commerce clause of the Consti
tuition. Inferentially the decision is a
argument in favor Of the passage o
the right kind of an interstate commerc
bill. When man In Dakota can lam
his wheat in New York city for no NOR
than II costs the farmer who live
within two hundred miles OF that com
mercial center to get his produce t.
that point, It is certainly the 70
something to be done.
SIR CHAIR Es dixie announces tina
he will not re.enter politics, although
as his recent trial demonstrated, he ha
certainly had strange bed fellows, bu
will devote the balance of his life t
vindicating himself from "gross, un
Just calumnies." AS the first ste
toward that end he has furnished :"
committee of gentlemen" number o
notaa which ha mazda aftar tho Crayv