Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-18

capital out OF many years growths may serve az
just,naois. this y &c oscssacn, iof the city IL
ss sS oss s Ss. sH
1869 10 favor OF Sc Louis. by L o. Reayis and
senators and Representative within Congress In
reply 20 the question, When win the removal be
smeStedi Rs.ys nays y. u a. MS BOOK II Snhetat
NV years from Jan. /, 1859, -. ana before 1870
the President OF the United states viii deliver his
Mississippi Valley" The capital has not been
moved, and will not be moved. except as the result
OF some extraordinary political CONFUSION; but
the mischief done BY the constant agitation Of the
subject In the past can hardly be estimated
Though the nrst Q. Washlnytons grievances is
have been the cftys protectors,
THE NDIFFEREScs OF OTHERS, NOT ACTIVELY HOS
TILE,
has been an evil OF hardly less magnitude. Under
the Constitution Congress has power of exclusive
legislation over the District OF Columbia. It il a
tract Of national territory to be governed by the
representatives OF the whole peopla Its interests
are entitled to the thoughtful consideration OF
every one OF It's consttutionally appointed egisla-
tora Unfortunately they have not received and do
not receive this consideration. In the House dis.
cusson OF 1871 upon the bill to provide terrific
rial form Of government for the District one Of the
members OF the District committee said that
within two years partsof only nine afternoons mad
been spent In legislating for the capital The i'm.
provement In CHS respect slnce that date has not
been startling. The announcement that q short
time Ii TO be devoted BY Con- ress to District az
fairs Is looked upon BY many legislators as an IN
vitation TO be Absent Others remain long enough
to show that they view their presence and atten-
ton as personal favor to citizens Of the District
and not as part Of their Congressional duty Those
congressman who consider that the main pur-
pose OF their terms Is to arm themselves
for reelection are OF course bored or
disguised with petty and embarrassing District
nishes nothing to be quoted In the home papers
for their constituents nent and their own glory
District a considerable proportion endeavor 70
Utilize 1t as ed Of experiment tor their political
or other hobbies the practical application OF
attempt at home where there are voters 10 make
Their resentment felt In case the experiment
should prove hurtruL But the District is the
offered to the public.
discouraging treatment. The early standard Of
duty SET fJr Congress In the matter OF its manage
ment OF the District was OF o low one. In 1903
OF The expense and loss OF time to the nation To-
creasing with the growth Of the District, which
would be involved IN the assumption by Congress
tice,' he said, ''De done 70 the exercise of this
power Il was likely that as much time would he
unsa tsT as e. Ur tho TO
saI that Incl easing population has Tot secured
propo tionate Increase 10 the Congressional time
the very suY ,estiOn that the capitals legislature
should give ne-nalr It's Thoughts to the capitals
Interests seems niicu.ous:
assigned it has often been urged a. part either OF
THE ACCUSATION OR CONFESSION OF coNoRz ssroNAL
INDIFFERENCE
In respect to Washington. In 1903 Representative
Randolph marked In the course OF debate that
Congress was incompetent to legislate for the Dis
trict, adding "lt was well known that the indo-
lence OF other members lthan the District CON-
mitteel or their indifference, inseparable from the
situation IN which they were placed, would pre-
vent Congr IS from lie Sislating With rull under
standing Of the oO1ecIs before them" Congress
for long time not only accepted the Idea or Its
ineapacity 70 govern the people OF the District but
apparently forgot that It had any responsibilities
Whatever in re pect to the capital city. The
excuse OF unftness for failure TO furnish the gen.
eral legislation necessary for the welfare OF
the residents of the District does not have even
tendency to relieve Congress from the blame
which attaches to It's neglect o carry out
the original plan and implied agreement
TO build up magnificent capital on the Potomac
II could, at least, have appropriated the mon y
requ REQ 10 Meet It's obigatons, even IT, In truth,
IL i0und Itself inc m,JeLenc 10 pass proper laws
But even when most nserai In the disbursem ut
OF the peoples money, it had not cent 70 expend
In rendering the peoples city attractive. The
national legislators Casts upon their place OF meet
Ing Was thought perhaps, by m.nDers or Con-
gress, TO HIDE ali defects In the appearance OF the
their constitutional obliyauJ ms toward the Dis
trfct For years the national iegislatu permitted
the capital entrusted to It's Keeping u be an
Object OF derision and 9 sntempt TO fJreigner and
cit Zen. More than that, IL Contributed by It's
own neglect D make more wretcLed the Guys
folorn condition, and then Joined 10 the laugh at
the latter expense. T. w. MOVES