The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-24
THE REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL
FROM WASHINGTON D. C.

4
suppose that vast confederacy of
states reaching from the Atlantic to the
Pacific ocean, distance of three thous-
and miles, will consent for all time to
have the federal government located
upon the eastern verge of the country.
1t safely may be assumed that to the
geographic center of the country the
capital will go, and the only questions
are. when and where it shall go.
The trainers of the constitution did not
attempt to fix in any manner the place
where the scat of government should be
simply to law of congress which at any
time, can remove the capital to any
place that may be coded for that purpose
by any particular state, the cession not
to exceed ten miles square
and l have faith in the liberality of the
people of Kansas that they would make
such cession to the general government
for that purpose. Already has the CAPT
| tai been removed twice since the forma-
ton of the government. The first presi-
dent was inaugurated and the first con-
gress held its session in 1889 in the city
of New York. Afterwards it was re-
moved to Philadelphia where it continu-
ed during the decade of 1890 to 1900, when
it was proposed to select new site that
was to be known by the name of Wash
ington. It's location at Washington was
accomplished by the first act of corrup-
ton upon the part of congress. There
was very close vote between Washing
ton and Philadelphia. Some of the
northern members agreed to vote for
Washington if two or three of the Vir-
ginia representatives would vote for
Alexander Hamilton's scheme to fund
the national debt. The bargain
was agreed to and the meas
ure was thus carried through.
At that time there was no west and
therefore the location of Washington
was made central as between the north
and south. This is important as showing
the idea that a central point was recog-
nized.
If there had been west at that time
as there is now, the site of Washington
would not have been selected.
And as the west has grown up since,
the capital will now be allowed to ie-
main in its present location. By the
year 1900 our census will show that more
than three-fifths Of the United States
will reside west of the Allegheny noun
tains.
The only argument those interested in
Washington remainingthe capital is that
the city was laid out under Wash
ington's direction and that the capitals
of Europe did not take into consideration
geographical locations as necessary.
But they are unlike Washington in this
respect. They are great centers of COM
MERGE and of manufacture and popula-
ton.
Washington has nothing in the world
but the seat of government to induce
city to grow here. The country around
it for miles is worn out and barren. 1t
has but little commercial advantages
In case of war with foreign power, is
at any time liable to capture, if the
country has superior naval force. We
all know how it was taken and burned
in our last war with Great Britain in
1914 and during the civil war it was our
greatest point of weakness, and required
100, 900 men to guard it from the Con-
federates. 1t cost more money to pro-
tect Washington during that period,
from 1861 TO 1865, than the government
buildings have cost, not to speak of
valuable lives, the cost of which cannot
be computed in money. The claim of
the citizens of Washington that there
was a sacred contract between the
70 ctotn Of
Maryland and Virginia when they
ceded the District of Columbia
that it was always to be the capital,
amounts to nothing. We are progress
sive people, and we can name the new
capital for some Of our modern heroes;
u. S. Grant, who fought the good fight
from a commencement to finish, or
Abraham Lincoln, who preserved the
best government the world ever saw.
We believe that the great west would
see to it that the public buildings
would cost the federal government
nothing and if necessary every stone of
every government building can be re-
moved to the site of the new capital.
So far as Virginia is concerned, she
has already taken back her part of the
District Of Columbia and Maryland
would undoubtedly, gladly receive hers
if the government was removed.
No congress has any right
to say where the seat Of
government shall be forever
located. The only safety for Washing
ton is that the west may be divided in
opinion as to where the location should
be. 1t ought not to so to any large city,
because that would give undue advan-
tage to local sentiment. This is no de-
fusion but fact. as the year 1900 wit
messed the location of the capital at
Washinton, the year 1900 will see it
where it will more permanently remain,
sOnew here west OF the great Missouri
river.
The great state of Kansas should take
the initial steps i'll this matter, holding as
she does the key to the geographical
center in this day and age, when politi-
cal revolutions make rapid changes in
short periods of time. The whole west
and south aud the central states will sec
ond the movement. Talking as | have
with all portions and all states, except a
few adjoining the District, am safe TO
say that could a vote of the people be
had to place the capitol in some central
position, away from any great city, it
would carry BY large majority.
a more unhealthy location than Wash
ington cannot be found. The lagoous Of
Louisiana where you can cut the malaria
with knife is no worse than the Swan
Poodle district Of Washington to create
disease.
The removal would injure but few
people, but would benefit the masses. a
few of our economic congressman and
senator's who, on salary of s., 900 per
wear. have become miiIionaires in a very
short time, would suffer from depres
sion in real estate, but the politician
could and would soon change his base to