Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-18

out of town. away among the fields but
| you will find yourself beyond the fields in
an uncultfvated wilderness. Tucking your
trousers up to your knees. you will wade
through the bogs. you will lose yourself
among rude hillocks, you will be out Of the
reach OF humanity Let us contrast this
truthful description of thirty years ago to
the present Massachusetts avenue, lined SOn
either side with magnificent residences, and
we can reach fair conclusion Of the phe-
nomenaI growth and prosperity of Wash
ington. The Congress of the United States
selected Washington and laid 1t out on a
magnificent scale, the wisdom Of which has
been justified by the experience of CEN
fury. So broad and comprehensive was this
plan that our people found themselves al
most in a condition Of bankruptcy in their
efrorts-unaided by the general government
to erect public buildings and improve
streets.
We therefore find that after much wrang-
ling and contention. the capital was located
on the Potomac in comparative wilder
ness, and abandoned by the general govern
ment. so far as financial aid was concerned.
Congress, while liberal in the expenditure
or the peoples money. declined TO appro-
pirate money to make the national capital
attractive. For years The capital intrusted
10 It's keeping cOntin led to be an object of
derision and contempt. Aye, more than
that. 1t contributed by it's own neglect to
make more wretched the citys fOrlorn con-
dition. and then Joined in the laugh at the
latter's expence.
Finding this to be the unhappy condition
let me occupy a moment Of your time with
brief statement of what cur city has done
for itself and the general government.
First, 1t must be remembered that the
United States owns one-half Of all the prop
erty In the District, on which 1t pays no
taxes and on which, prior to 1873, it never
contributed anything for the support Of our
local government.
he fol ta1i in oot,-
ington our citizens donated f1ve-sevenths of
all the land in the city Of Washington for
streets and avenues 81 per cent Of the en-
tire area for parks and -esarvaticns, or SAL
acres. One-half Of all the city lots were
given to help erect public buildings and to
open and improve streets. Up to 1S3a the
citizens Uhe population at that tirle had
only reached 13, 0OO had expended for street
improvements, mostly around public build
ings. $4,000. the United States $20o, 900
From 1870 to 1878, almost a century, the
United States expended aside from public
buildings) less than $6,OOO.0)O. the citizens
$i5, O0o.OOO From 1879 to 1887 our people in
vested In new buildings S32,00O0O1. They
paid direct tax Of $40, 900 for the war Of
1872 fitted up building for Congress when
the Capitol was burned and ten lercd a loan
or s5OOOOO to rebuild the public buildings,
which Congress accepted. During the last
war We paid a direct tax Of $4,000, no por-
ton Of which has been rafunded. We have
paid an internal revenue tax of Sc sou,
and In one year twice as much as any of the
territories except Dakota, and more than
either of the states of Alabama, Arkansas
Maine, Mississippi Nevada, South Caro-
lima or Vermont.
We supplied our share of volunteers for
the war Of 1872 and the Mexican war. In
the late war we furnished our full quota
and ID per cent over, while but seven
states filled. their quota, and only one
eQualled the District. In the late war the
first volunteers were citizens of the Dis
trict.
The government has given to the states
900 in money. 10000, 70 acres OF public
lands for schools and 155,GOO.pH acres for
railroads. The District Of Columbia has
never been given iollar or an acre Of
ground.
1t must not be Thought that we 10 not
appreciate the benefits that have resulted
from the millions that have been expended
by the government in the erection OF public
buildings, nor are we unmindful Of the fact
that since 1873 the government has borne
that Washington has done far more for
herself and the general government than
should have been expected by Congress.
The Form of Government.
We have had three different forms of
government From January g. 1871. to
June l, 1902, the local government was vest
ed in board Of three Commissioners. ap-
pointed by the President. From 1902 to 1872,
the mayor was appointed by the President
II
the aldermen and common council. In 1871
the government was changed to territorial
in form, and so continued until lS74 Henry
d. Cooke and Alexander r. Shepherd being
appointed governors by the President. Con-
gress. in 1874. again changed our govern
ment to board of three Commissioners,
to be appointed by the President. THIS
form OF government Is now in force, and Is
believed to be the best municipal form Of
government in existence. Under its pro-
visions we are free from political brols
and entanglements. Those who have been
selected for the high and responsible posi-
ton of Commissioners have been men of
high character: every dollar contributed by
our taxpayers and the general government
Is religtously accounted for. The govern
ment Of the District of Columbia Is free
from even the suspicion of jobbery.
Our population In 1895 was l4093 In 1860
IS, ESQ., while today we number about $50, go
Since June II, 1878, Congress has appro-
priated annually 80 per centum Of the ap-
District. the remaining so per cent being
raised by taxation on the property.
Relations OF the District to Congress-
The relations between the people of the
District and Congress have been strength
ened and unified from year to year. We are
no longer regarded as mendicants, and our
treatment is liberal and in keeping with the
progress and dignity Of the capital of a
great republic.
has grown to be the fairest and most at
tractive city In the land and is recognized
as one OF the most beautiful in the world
We have upward Of $50 miles Of smooth as
phaited streets, fringed either side by
the luxurious shade Of overhanging trees
Great national parks environ the city Tn
der the provisions Of recent act Of Con-
gress, the magnificent plan of Washington
will be continued and our broad streets
and avenues will soon touch the District
line. Years ago the rim Of Washinr ton
was knocked Off by our rapidly increa sing
popula ton Boundary street has been wipel
out-our limits are now the boundaries of
the District.
The broad waters Of the Potomac flow on
to the ocean, kissing the silent, sacred
shores Of Mount Vernon.
Our public schools are UNSURPASSED Al
ready we have become a great literary, art
and scientific center.
No people are more loyal, generous, and
hospttable than ours; no city on the face
OF the earth more attractive and beautiful.
1t would be impossible to overestimate our
future possibilities.
Our growth and prosperity will he an
evidence and result Of national progress
and greatness.
The Districts second century should he
an echo of the nations progress We have
already, more than realized the fondest
hopes Of our Observation-Disclosures is the
ideal city Of the world.
ALEXANDRIA.