Evening star., 1895-06-15
ADMIRES THIS CITY
Ex-Representative Coombs' Impress
sions Of the National Capital.
IT'S MANY BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS
A Fortunate Partnership With the
General Government.
NOT A MANUFACTURING CITY

Ex-Representative William ]. Coombs of
Brooklyn, N Y, IS about to leave this city,
after a residence here of several years. He
will take up his work as a government
director of the Union Pacific railroad. Mr..
Eoombs has always been believer in the
policy of making the capital city place
of beauty, and has become much attached
to his adopted home. He was active in
Congress in looking after the interests of
the District.
Il have become very much attached to
the city of Washington during my four
years of residence in it," said Mr.. Coombs
to Star reporter today. MY time has
been SO fully occupied by attention to my
duties Congressman that 1 have not
found time to attend much to social duties,
but 1 have found great relief from labor
in its beautiful surroundings and the rest
fulness of Its life. There is here a happy
blending of northern activity with the
Cclce far n:ente of southern society. Ac-
customed as 1 have been from early boy
mood to the rush and push of a business
city, where every movement was counted
as of commercial value. 1 have doubtless
been more impressed by the atmosphere of
deiiberation than others whose lives have
not been so active. And yet there is
tivity enough, and enterprise is not stag
ant.
A Thoroughly Cosmopolitan City.
"A man with business habits can find
enough to interest him, while one with a
literary or scientific turn of mind has much
within easy reach to occupy his time. 1t IS
not in any respect provincial, but has al
ready the characteristics OF thoroughly
cosmopolitan city. This is doubtless due to
the constant influx of foreign representa-
tives with their families and SUITS as well
as the members of Congress and their
families from all sections of the Union.
New elements are constantly being intro
duced. some permanent and some tempo
rary, that keep society in a healthy cond-
ton.
"A man of moderate fortune can live here
in good style. and very economically, for
you have good markets and servants are
cheap and plentiful. l have also noticed
that the enormously wealthy do not re-
ceive the consideration accorded them in
many other communities; in fact any os-
tentatious display of it is looked upon with
disfavcr.
THE physical reconstruction of the city.
that was begun generation ago, ard
which has been carried since then, has
resulted in making Washington one of The
handsomest if not the handsomest city in
the world If there is any doubt about il
now II will be set at rest when the same
scheme is carried out in the numerous sub
uibs that are being added. The squares,
Streets. combined with the pleasing variety
of architecture, makes it dignified and
charming place of residence.
A Fortunate Partnership.
L believe that the change made num-
Der of years ago, whereby the municipal
government was abandoned and it came
under the control of Congress- was a for
tunate enc. There are those who think
differently. but they have never had ex-
perience in cities where parties create
pulls l think that there is no city in the
country in which the taxpayer gets SO
much foc his money as here, and Yet the
general government does not pay too much
Tor what 1t receives. If at times appropri-
atoms are hard to get through the House
the disadvantage is offset by the discussion
ana publicity that is given to the proposed
measures. That no serious suffering has
been occasioned by lack of appropriations
is amply proved by the unusual complete
ness OF the public works.
Ihe only drawback that might have
been anticipated by the present plan OF
government was the deadenins of the SEN
timent of citizenship. So far this does not
seem to have been the case, for there is an
active public spirit and disposition TO DO
something for themselves and not rely
upon government for everything.
Inc piah OF city government is simple
and direct: the comfort OF the public seems
TO be looked after in the smallest particu-
| lars The corporations have been kept in
| check and do not own the people, but are
| its servants
Should Not Be Manufacturing City
DO you think that the energies of the
people here Should be directed toward the
| establishment OF a large manufacturing e
| city," Mr Coomps was asked by the re-
porter.
NO. 7 am sure that it would introduce
an incongruoos element and interfere in its
| development along lines which have
created its present success. Its chief
| charm is as a city of refined and elegant
homes. Men fom all parts of the country
| are coming here to reside On account of
| its freedom from noise, hustle and un-
| pleasant surroundings.
There is no especial reason why Wash
| inSton should become d manufacturing G
| town, for it has no especial advantages in
| that way. There are thousands of loca!i-
| ties in the country that are better adapted
| to it. 1t is true that you have the Poto-
| mac for water power. but the days for its
employment have passed; steam and elec.
| tr:city have taken its place; you have not q
| body of skilled artisans; in fact, every
| thing necessary to a manufacturing town
| will have to be created. l hope that no
serious effort will be made to change the
| present line of policy, but that it viii con-
| tiEue to grow in the direction which has so
| far made it successful.
| Il count myself citizen of Washing
| ton in the sense that every citizen of the
United States has the right of citizenship
| in it, l am proud of it as the capital of
| the nation. and leave it carrying with me
| a deep sense of gratitude for the kindlness
| experienced at the hands of every one wita
| whom l have had to do
|
| The Atlanta Exposition.
| A meeting of the District committee on