Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-09
there are minds among the members Of
this society fully qualified to treat.
Interesting Themes.


there are minds among the members of
tnis society fully qualified to treat
Interesting Themes.
IAN analogous field OF research presents
itself in the court records, not only of the
District Of Columbia proper, but of the ad-
5acent counties OF Maryland and Virginia.
which are said to abound in material scarce
ly known-still less explored-in which
names whose owners figured in the early
settlement OF the capital city are found re-
corded
"A systematic account Of all the institu-
tons OF learning in the District was under
taken nearly thirty years ago by the first
commissioner of education. but has never
been brought down to include the marvel
Gus progress in public instruction since the
civil war. nor the history. OF. the UNIVERSE
ties here founded. The numerous scientific,
literary, artistic and musical societies and
social clubs Of Washington are worthy of
special historic commemoration, which can
not long be wanting, in a mora complete and
erduring form than the casual notices OF
the daily press. Our widely extended char
liable organizat tons, asylums, hospitals, etc,
have each history, and the numerous
churches OF Washington present a field for
an industrious collection and recording Of
facts which may well be published in the
liberal spirit Of historic inquiry. with the
result OF contributing to the instruction of
all and with offense to none
<AuOlueE subject IOT CaIeIul historic re-
search would be found in the evolution of
the colored race in this District, the story
OF slavery and emancipation. and the chang
es brought about in their relations to prop
erty. education and social conditions sener-
ally.
The long and interesting annals of pub
lie improvements in the District of Column
bia have been treated Of as yet in the most
cursory and fragmentary manner. The
three-Quarters of a century of chronic and
systematic neglect. followed by a quarter
century of energetic and rapid improves
ment-so rapid and energetic as to be al
most without parallel In municipal annals
are yet to be adequately described. And
the materials for this part OF our history
are fortunately abundant. in continuous and
voluminous reports, buried from public view
for the most part In congressional doeu-
ments. which only await the skillful hand
and the organizing mind Of the competent
writer to render into a clear and connected
account of the marvellous development of
Washington. Incident to this are the ans
mails CT the more private building enter
prises OF the city, spreading over new re-
eions year by year. with the marked and
steady growth of architectural taste. with
wonderful variety Of form and color. I'm
place of the dead monotony and depressing
sameness which disfigure the architecture
Of 50 many older cities.
Material DEVELOPMENT.
'Nor will the history of suburban i'm.
provement be overlooked, with its most re.
cent triumphs In securing. with timely
economy and foresight. the Geological Park
and the Rock Creek National Park of Lao
acres, which only requires the hand Of taste
and skill to develop into a wild garden of
beauty for the delight Of all residents and
visitors at the national capital in the ages
that are to follow. The early and the late
history of streets and avenues, with their
successive openings or extensions, the names
they bear. and the important place they &C.
cupy in the topography of the District. pre-
sents topic of historic interest. Especial
ly Is Ii true of the various proposed re-
forms In our street nomenclature, that such
Changes should be we'll and carefully con-
sidered. and through special committees or
otherwise. reporting upon rival plans Tor an
improvement, they are well worthy of the
attention of this society,". In our earlier his
tory. the various plans for improved COM
munications with other parts of the coun-
try. the Improvement Of the upper Potomac
river as a weans OF water transit to the
west q plan whtch. though abortiye. en-
nsted the enterprise. and the capital Of
ton OF the federal city with western Mary
land and Virginia and their coal mines, by
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. and the
later railway openings which have formed
such all-important links in the chain OF
progress-all these present most interesting
and instructive topics OF inquiry, not as yet
adequately treated.
Nor should 1t be forgotten by the his
torian that the first successful application
OF that marvellous agent IN the modern pro-
gress OF mankind-eiectricity. to the uses OF
the magnetic telegraph-was effected in the
city OF Washington. With this triumph OF
physical science over all the distractions OF
time and space the names OF Henry, OF
Morse and Of Vail ere indissolubly associ-
ated. Our early history would be incom-
plete without commemorating the facts of
the commerce and the navigation of the Po-
tomac river, when, In the early days of Al
exsndris, the water transit thus afforded
mil ol.or s.a1f L..
traffic as well for foreign commerce In
deed. no student OF the highly interesting
debates in the First Congress upon the
choice OF a proper place for the permanent
the extraordinary stress laid by the speak
ers upon convenient access by Underwater
navigation, In an age before railway transit
had been dreamed of.
Among the more salient facts OF our re-
cent progress the street railway system
and its development out OF the old cum
brous and numbering omnibus lines OF thir-
ty years ago. affords not unimportant held
for the recorder OF local history A COM
parative view OF the system as developed in
Warrington, with that of other cities, TAX
Ing into account all the elements of public
accommoda ton, rapidly of transit, safety
working economy. territory covered and mo-
tive power. could not fail to be instructive
and valuable.
':Still another interesting item of local
history would be found In commemorat ting
the many books written or published in
Washington. and other parts of the District
OF Columbia, and the authors OF greater or
less note who have here written works pub
,ished elsewhere. Especially noteworthy
are the numerous literary and scientific pro-
auctions of those connected with various
branches OF the government, realizing many
hundreds of volumes many of which are OF
great ana permanent value.
Important Lines OF inquiry.
1.-THE great problem of municipal govern
ment, arousing yearly closer public atten-
ton and investigation, and coming home.
as II does. to the interest and the pocket of
every citizen, may well enlist our inquiry.
comparative view of our own city and
District administration, under the peculiar
and unique form of government provided
by Congress. with that of other cities where
universal suffrage divides with legislative
control the local government, might elicit
facts OF great value. As experience has
been styled the mother of all the sciences
ana history is but an aggregation of expe-
riences, IL becomes US to make use of all
means of enlightenment at Our command 10
Arrnr. b. Alaa E.r- II.