Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-12
WESTINGHOUSE GROWTH.

WESTINGHOUSE GROWTH.
What Ex-Delegate Chapman Says of the
Prospects Of the Capital
Gen. \. p. Chapman, who rendered vaiusbs
service to the District as its delegate in Con-
gress during the existence Of the territorial
form of government here, and who has Of late
years lived in California, Is visiting the city.
STAR reporter questioned him as to his impress
sions of Washington after ten years absence.
The general looked little dazed by the broad
ness of the question. but promptly replied: Il
! am astonished and delighted with your marvel
| Gus development since left here ten years
agos dc not think your citizens realize the
change that has been wrought Washington
seems to have kept pace with the wonderful
| growth of the country elsewhere. Towns have
| sprung into cities. apd new cities have APP
| peared where only Corn and wheat grew ten
years ago IN the great west; but the spirit 81
progress has dwelt here ALSO Population has
greatly increased. business has expanded,
property has enhanced in value enormouslyi
the whole atmosphere is that of a thriving,
bustling, active city of self-reliant prosperous
people. What especially strikes me d the in
troducticn of
| THE NEW ARCHITECTURE IN YOUR HOUSES.
''The prevailing style is picturesque and
charming in every view, and forms an almost
exclusively American order. 1t suddenly APP
peared in all our leading cities, chiefly in SUBJ
urban houses, and Is the evolution Of tet years.
Washington, of all the cities on this continent.
/ is adapted to les highest development. for your
numerous parks and parked avenues and
| streets give to your houses all the charm Of
suburban surroundings. This change. and the
| rapid growth of the trees and shrubbery and
the general Improvement of the avenues and
| streets throughout the city have almost meta
| morphoscd Washington. l find palatial resi-
| cences where ten years ago the dump-carts de-
posted their contents. The amphItheater hills
| overlooking the city-where we used 10 drive
| our cows to pasture-are pierced by your
magnificent avenues subdivided into building
| sites and delightful pleasure grounds. and &C.
| cupied by residences of great elegance and
| comfort OF course L also observe the spread
| of government improvements here. Many en-
| tlrely new structures have gone up, and others
| are under construction. The enlargement and
! Improvement of the capitol grounds, making
| them worthy of the noble capitol building, are
the work of the last decade. Washington
monument has ceased TO be the butt of the ma
| ton. and is now the most impressive column
Ii the world
| THE NATION AND ITS CAPITAL
''Iou ask what in my judgment has brought all
this about / will tell you. The chief thing il
the recognition by the government Of its true
| relation TO the capital OF the nation. When
| udu the nOnOr 10 represent YOU IN Congress as
| your delegate. il seemed TO me that Washington
! city would never be worthy of the great nation,
| whose capital IL was. until the people Of the
| whole country began to develop some personal
pride and interestin il, and this must be worked
out through Congress. Ii was a great under
| taking to convince Congress of its duty and was
| achieved only by hard and persistent work. IL
| cost several Senators and members their re-
election to stand up they did and help fight our
| battle. The citizens had TO pass through q
no. nrI of faxa n
| ing almost confscation. But the time came
| when Congress acknowledged its duty and be-
came inspired with something of the spirit that
must have moved the founders Of this magnif-
cent capital. / understand you now have from
Congress a sum equal to taxes laid upon private
property. Wisely spent, this fund will make
| Washington, IN the years 20 come, the most
beautiful spot on the globe
TIE GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
"Whet is your opinion, general. OF the prss-
ent form OF government the agency 70 sd-
minister local affairs?"
You are leading ME into dangerous paths. II
would be ungracious TO speak against the exer-
else of the right TO vote where the dsfrap-
chised people once gave me their support The
boon of suffrage is greatly priced. and il is IN
fortunate that in the seat OF government alone
in all this republic the citizen cannot vote.
| However. looking only to the advancement and
growth of the District. and the aid from Con-
gress so essential TO that end, il is my belief
that much may be lost and nothing gained by a
return to the old form of local government. 1
would. nevertheless, preserve the principle Of
| representation by allowing the District Rep
| resentative on the floor of the House, with az
least territorial delegates privileges. This u
the seat of what We are proud to call govern
ment of the people, by the people and for the
| people. There are more people dwelling here
than in some states l might name having two
Senators and Representative.
| Theoretically this is a contradiction Of our
claim of popular government The stigma Of
political emasculation would be measurably re-
moved by allowing vote for delegate; besides.
| think such a representative would be of great
service TO you. Congress has the supreme and
exclusive legislative power for the District. and
for that reason would hold il to its RESPONSE
| bllity and not ask delegation OF the power to
| a local legislative body"
what suggestion can you make, general,
| to increase our growth or prosperity
| "Ispeak with some hesitancy upon this point,
for your people seem to be wide awake, bat I
| will venture one suggestion. You need
| RAPID TRANSIT TO ALL PARTS OF THE CITY.
You are behind modern cities Of America in
this The cable cars have revolutionized San
Francisco. and made valuable vast sand dunes
and high hills hitherto unapproschable and
practically worthless. Congress should grant
| franchises apd tax the gross receipts for local
| revenue. Thk system would bring your
suburban properties within a few minutes OF
/ tue ucp ". iuOst 0t<leutlul uU1ch VI
travel. For or 10 cents visitors could encircle
your city and quickly reach ali points. IL
would promote travel and furnish the people Of
small means ready access TO localities nov de-
MED them. Property in reach Of the system
would become desirable, and people could
afford homes who cannot now enjoy them.
Cable cars are TO the whole city what the ele-
vators are to the high houses, they annihilats
space. The day for the struggling and weary
car-horse has passed. Electric motors and
steam cable must supplsnt your present
slew methods before your city will reach Ih
| highest development"
"May ask. general, whether you intend ever
to return here to hve?"
This is hard to answer. NY family and I
are greatly attached TO California, II il Q
great commonwealth, and is experiencing Q
wonderful growth and expansion Of industries.
Its climate and varied productions make il the
most attractive place Of residence for the busy
man on this continent, and the pleasure
seeker as well can never weary Of its charms.
Much as love Washington 1 doubt whether
could ever give up California"
->O~-
Co-education I'm West Virginia.
The regents Of the West Virginia state
university have determined TO throw open the
doors of the school to both sexos to-morroW