Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-05-05
The National Capital.

WAsHINGTON, ID. c.. April 21, 1892.
The Capital stands at the Western
end of a comparatively level stretch 0
ground. which from that point descend
rather sharply toward the South. Wes
and North into what was once a swamp
creek bottom, but now, especially tht
Northwest, the most important part O
the city. The western approach to the
Capitol is composed Of marble terraces
built within the last five or six years
giving it a more elegant and pleasing
appearance. for without that, it mus
have presented a very .'sawed-off'' fig
ure. Looking West from Capitol Hill
as that part Of the city is called. one
may see a stretch OF open land, extend
| ing to the Potomac River. This is
what is called The Mall" 1t is not
actually an open tract, but what mean
IS that no business houses or residences
are there. 1t is a reservation for pub
| lie purposes.
| Immediately West of the Capitol on
The Mall IS the Botanical Gardens,
which, as its name implies, is devoted
to the propagation and study of vege-
table life. Next come in the order
named the National Museum, Medical
| Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Ag-
| ricultural Department. and Bureau OF
| Engraving and Printing.
The Mall widens largely toward its
| Western end, reaching as far North as
the Treasury, White House, and State
War and Navy Building. Near the
center Of the Western end towers the
| Washington Monument 555 feet high.
Between the Monument and the State
War and Navy Building, are the ponds
OF the Fish Commission, and also fine
driving track of about half mile in
circumference. Racing, however, is
not allowed on it; when General Grant
was President of the United States, he
was arrested by a policeman for fast
driving in this track and paid his fine
of $50.
Near this track is a very pretty one
and a half story brick structure, sur
rounded by an iron fence, with a good
sprinkling of shade trees and vines. |
had often wondered what it was, and
one day being overcome by curiosity, |
investigated. | found it to be the Pres
ident's stables. 1t is connected by tel
cphOnc 10 the White House. The ex-
tent of the Mall from East to West is
about one and quarter miles, the
breadth varying from a quarter to a
half mile. 1t is well shaded, and
threaded by numerous drives and
walks. The entire city is bountifully
supplied with trees of every variety.
ample protection from the
fierce summer heat. Trees have just
begun to put forth buds here, seeming
to- be about two or three weeks behind
our part of Missouri, although in about
the same latitude.
The National Cemetery is located at
just over the Potomac, near
which is also L. 5. Barracks |
The Soldiers Home, supported by |
funds contributed by the L. 5. Army, |
Is on the Northeast boundary Of the |
city, surrounded by park of 1000 |
acres. The New National Observatory, |
not yet completed, stands on an emf
lence at the Northwest OF the city linn
It's.
Washington is hampered by lack of
street railway facilities, there being
only one cable and two electric lines as
get but a bill passed the last Congress
all lines, by August 9th,
1892, to dispense with horse power:
and in consequence work is being push
ID on all to make a change to electric
ty or cable.
There are only two railroads enter
ng Washington. 4. e., two companies,
)ut that does not argue lack of facil-
ties. Railroads in the East generally
rive speed in lieu OF finely upholstered
.ars. One may leave here early in the
morning, spend three hours in New
York City and be back again at $3.50 P.
i. same day. although 22O miles away
a line of steamers ply between here
md Fortress Monroe and Norfolk, Va,
eaving daily at 7:30 a. VI.
Washington has but two papers, the
Post, (mOrning), and the Star an eve
ling sheet. The latter suffered rather
from fire on the 18th inst,
'ut is now on its feet again. tits diff
,ult to tell what is the political COM
Dlexion of either of these papers, they
eem to be on both sides and neither
ide; some say they change to suit cir
,umstances.
The Potomac furnishes water for the
,ity without the use of pumps, etc.
About six miles up the river the stream
> turned aside into reservoirs and set
ling basins from which by gravity the
water is forced into all buildings