Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-26
Another Centennial of Local Interest

"
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
1t may not be generally known that the
present year is the first centennial anniversary
OF the establishment of the permanent seal
(of the government of the United States) OIL
the banks of the Potomac" The act of Con
gress providing for this establishment wa:
passed on the 10th day of July, 1890. A plan OF
the city of Washington, projected agreeable &c
the direction of the President of the United
States, was prepared by Peter Charles Len
FAINT and copy of this plan is now on exhibit
ton in the lecture hall of the national
museum. In this plan provision was made for
the assignment to each religious body of a
parcel of land upon which places of worship
might be erected. Another plot of ground was
set aside for the construction of national
church building, which should be used on all
national occasions for thanksgiving services
funeral orations and other purposes. 1t was to
be assigned to no particular sect. but equally
open to all religious denominations. Fifteen
squares of ground were to be assigned to the
several states in the Union. In the center OF
each square might be placed obellsks statues
columns and other ornaments for the purpose
OF perpetuating mot only the memory of such
individuals whose cOunsels or military achiey-
ments were conspicuous in giving liberty and
independence to this country but also to those
whose usefulness hath rendered them worthy
OF general imitation"
Inc act already referred to may be found on
page 100 of vol. OF the United Statutes at Large
First Congress. second session, chap. XVIII.
1t comprises six sections and is entitled IAN
act for establishing the temporary and perma-
nant seat of the government of the United
States" Section provides that the perma-
nent seat OF government shall occupy dis
trict of territory not exceeding ten miles
square, to be located as hereafter directed on
the river Potomac at some place between the
mouths OF the Eas Branch and Connogo-
cheque. Section 2 authorizes the President OF
the United States to appoint three commission
ers to survey and define the limits of the dis
trict and further orders that the district so de-
fined shall become the permanent seat of the
government of the United States. Section 3
enacts that the Commissioners shall have power
to purchase or accept land within the said dis
trio. for the use of the United States, sub
ject to the approval of the Presi-
dent of the United States: and the
Commissioners are ordered to provide
suitable buildings for the accommodation OF
Congress and OF the President and for the pub
lie offices OF the government of the United
States prior to the first Monday in December
1900. Section authorizes the President OF
the United States to accept grants of money to
defray the expense OF purchases and of erect
ing buildings. Section enacts that until the
first Monday in December, 1900, the seat OF
government shall be in Philadelphia and Sec
ton provides that on the first Monday in De-
cember, 1900. the seat of government shall be
transferred to the district aforesaid These
facts may be interesting to some readers of
HE STAR. Perhaps the event may also be con-
sidered OF sufficient importance to warrant
setting apart the 10th of July in this year as a
special day, commemorative Of the passage OF
the act. RIG.