Evening star., 1896-12-17
Inquiry Looking to the Return to
the District Of Virginia Land.
SENATOR M'MILLAN'S RESOLUTIONS
Significance of the Movement and
Its Effect.
OTHER LOCAL MATTERS S

the District of Columbia.
The real intention of the proposition is to
have the territory which was formerly a
part of the District of Columbia, and later
ceded back to the state of Virginia, again
brought within the Jurisdiction of the gem
eral government and made a part of the
District. This project was opened by the
Introduction in the Senate of resolution
by Mr.. Mcmillan, chairman of the commit
tee on the District of Columbia, follows:
Whereas the United States has acquired
large holdings OF land on and near the
south bank of the Potomac river in that
portion of the state of Virginia originally
comprised within the District of Columbia
and
Whereas 1t is proposed to build a me-
mortal bridge across said river to connect
the city of Washington with Arlington
cemetery, and
Whereas the United States maintain
the roads leading from the Aqueduct bridge
TO the said cemetery, therefore,
Resolved, That the Attorney General be-
and he IS hereby, instructed to report to the
Senate, first, what proportion the present
holdings of the United States in the state
of Virginia and within the former limits of
the District of Columbia bear to the whole
territory originally ceded by that state to
the United States: second, by virtue Of
what legislation the Virginia portion of
SAID District was retroceded to the said
state; thirdly, whether the constitutonality
| or such act or retrocession has been
Judcially determined; fourthly, what legis-
iation is necessary again to secure to the
government exclusive jurisdiction over the
whole or a part of such territory originally
Included in the District of Columbia as is
now embraced IN the state of Virginia -
Agreed to by the senate.
This resolution, as in the case with prac-
tcally all resolutions asking for informa-
ton, was agreed TO by the SeSnaSte without
opposition. 1t opens UP subject which will
probably be much discussed in and out of
| Congress, and which has IN its favor many
prominent and influential men. Although
the resolution asks the Attorney General to
report upon the constitutionality or uncon-
sututonality Of the act which gave back
to the state of Virginia the territory tina t
had been part of the District of Column
bia, 1t Is hardly expected that the addition
to the District from the land which was
f2lrerly part of it will be made through
any process or law, though it is barely pos
sibie that the Supreme Court of the U'inted
states fn:ght&be called upon to determine
whether the giving back of that part of the
District to the state of Virginia was con-
sttutional act.
The more important part of tho reso1,,-
tion is that which asks the Attorney Cen
erai TO report what legis alton is neces-
safy again to secure TO the government the
exclusive jurisdiction of that territory
What will be required will doubtless he a
special act of Congress preaching this sub
1ect to the legislature of the state of Vir-
glnia, and asking that the state recede to
the general government the larfi over
which 1t cnce exercised Jurisdiction. While
this proposition will doubtless meet opposi-
tlon 1t Is believed by many of those ac-
quainted with the subject that there are
more reasons favorable to such action
than might appear at first consideration
OF the subject. 1t will doubtless be claim
ed by those who oppose action of this kind
that 1t Is based largely on the desire of
real estate spectators because of The
great enhancement I'm value of the land
brought within the District of Columbia
as well as that portion of Vii ginia adiacent
TO It, But the supporters of the movement
will base tfeir arguments upon prac sicai
necessities of the government and lpon
convenience to the city of Washington
and to the general government in being
able to cortrol the south side of the Poto-
mac river and bring order where much
unlawfulness has prevailed.
Owned by the Government.
In due time it will be pointed out that
outside of the city of Alexandria the
United States government at present owns
one-sixteenth of all that portion of vir-
ginia which was formerly a part of the
District of Columbia The property or
the United States Is largely that COM
prised In the Arlington estate, which has
necassitated large expenditure of money
LII tHe DuiiuinS OI puDnc ROADS, and which
will in the future necessitate a further ex-
penditure in the building of a memorial
bridge The Long bridge will also have to
be reconstructed, and the whole or a part
OF the cost will be borne by the general
government accordingly as II is decided
whether or not the railroad now using that
bridge VII operate on separate structure.
1t will also be cited that the lawlessness
which has existed in Jackson City and at
Rosslyn could readily be overcome if all
that portion of the country We're under con-
troll of the general government. Those
who are favoring this extension of the
District do not regard Alexandria as de-
sirable to bring within the Jurisdiction of
the general government. ard 1t is also an
ticipated. that the people of Alexandra
may wish to retain their right of suffrage
and remain separate municipality. Such
Objection. 1t is argued, could be readily
overcome by leaving that part of the ter
ritory to be receded to the general govern
ment out of the plan.
1t is believed that the state of Virginia
would readily consent to this proposition.
1t Is argued that such a plan would be ex-
tremely desirable to all that part of V;r-
ginia adjacent to the territory to be an
nexed to the District. and that the legisla-
ture would readily take that view of the
matter.
With the increased railroad facilities be-
tween the city of Washington and the
southern banks of the Potomac river II is
believed that the territory there would be
regarded as desirable for residences by
many people now located In the city of
Washington. and that the many things up-
desirable about that part of the country
would be removed when the District should
exercise police Jurisdiction over It,
The matter of enlarging the District linn
Its is destined to be discussed with yigor in
the future, and considerable effort viii be
made to make this project fact
what Mr.. Mcmillan Says.
Speaking of his resolution to extend the
District on the Virginia shore Senator dc
MILAN said to a Star reporter:
Il think it is very important that the
control Of the territory formerly included
within the boundaries of the District
should be regained by the general govern
ment. As 1t Is now the District Of CO.
lumbia has no control except. to-the edge
OF the water on sthe. Virginia Shore II
has no control oyer the Virginia end of
the Long bridge the AQueduct bridge or
the Chain bridge Now what Is the re-
salt? The result Is that the worst kind
OF gambling places and saloons have con-
gregated neartf!g Virginia end of these
bridges to the great injury of the youth
OF the District. There are thousands and
thousands OF people who go over the Aque-
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