New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-18
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TO ENLARGE THE DISTRICT
MIR. M'MTLLAN'S SCHEME SUBMITTED TO
THE SENATE
TUE PURPOSE is TO RECOVER THAT pAKT OF
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHICH WAS
CEDED BACK TO VIRGINIA
BY CONGR |SS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBrNE.l

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
Washington Dee. Ex-senator Mcmillan, of Mich-
gan who rs Chairman of the Senate Committee on
the District of Columbia has made an almost
precedented record In the way of promoting and Sc
curing legislation for the advancement of the Dis
tricts best interests. has undertaken to en-
large the limits of the Federal tract by recovering
that portion of the territory the Virginia side Of
the Potomac coded back to Virginia by Congress
many years ago. Mr. Mcmillan preached the
scheme in the Senate to-day by introducing and
having passed the following resolution of inquiry:
Whereas The United States has acquired large
holdings of land on and near the south bank of the
Potomac River in tina: portion of the state OF Viz
Whereas. 1t is proposed to build memorial
bridge across said river to connect the city oil
Washington with Arlington Cemetery: and
Whereas The United States maintains the roads
leading from the Aqueduct Bridge TO the said
cemetery: therefore.
what proportion the present holdings of the United
former limits of the District OF Columbia bear to
the whole territory originally coded by thar State
legislation Virginia portion OF said District
retroceded to the said State; third whether The
ccnstitutionalty Of such of retroccssion has
been iudicialiy determined; fourth. what legislation
chSive t,,risdictinn over The whole or a part Of
such territory originally included In the District Of
Columbia as is now embraced In the State Of Viz
einia.
Although the resolution asks the Attorney Cen
eral TO report the cons,ituionality or unconsti-
tutionaty OF the act which gave back TO the State
of Virginia the territory that had been a part OF
the District OF Columbia. IL is hardly expected that
the addition to the District from the land which
formerly part Of It will he made through any
process Of law. though 1t IS barely possible that
the Supreme Court Of the United States might be
called on determine whether tho giving back Of
that part % the District TO the State Of Virginia
was constitutional act.
The moro important part Of the resolution Is
that which asks the Acknowledgement to report
what legislation is necessary again to secure to
the Government exclusive jurisdiction over that
territory VIVA, Will he required will doubtless be
a special act submitting the case TO the Legislat
Of Virginia. and asking tina, the State rcc.de
TO the general Government the land over which #,
exercised Jurisdiction. 1t is pointed out that
outside Of the city Of Alexandra the United states
Government AZ present owns oncsixtecnth NJ an
that portion Of Virginia which formerly q
part Of the District OF Columbia The property 81
the United States is largely that comprised IN the
Fort Mycr reservation and in the Arlington estate
which has made necessary p large expenditure Of
money In the building Of public roads. and which
will IN the future cause further expenditure in
the building OF memorial bridge. Those who
are favoring this extension OF the District do not
regard Alexandria desirable TO bring within the
Jurisdiction of tho general Government and It il
also anticipated that the people OF Alexandria may
wish TO retain their right OF suffrage and remain
separate municipality
Speaking Of his resolution TO extend the Dstrc,
the Virginia shore, Senator Mcmillan said
day II think II IS very important that the control
OF the territory formerly included within the boun-
diaries Of the District should be regaincd by the
general Government As IL Is now. the District Of
Columbia has no control except TO the edge OF the
water the Virginia shore. IL has control
over the Virginia end Of the Long Bridge. the
Aqueduct Bridge the Chain Bridge. Now what
is the result? The result Is that the worst kind Of
gambling places and saloons have congreGaied
near the Virginia end Of these bridges. TO tho great
injury OF the District. There are thousands and
thousands Of people who go over the Aqucduct
hav ylh he hat frf
daily. They have 10 pass by these disgracefLl
places and arc always subject 10 Insult since they
have no police protection. That territory between
the Chain Bridge and tho Aqueduct is extremely
beautiful, and the drives there could be kept in
splendid condition with very little additional ex-
pense."
again to include within the District limits the ter
riory formerly part Of the seat of government.
When asked Tor his views on the matter he at
once replied that he had long been OF the opinion
back that territory 10 the State OF Virginia. and
that he had doubted its consfitutionaty. Mr..
Sherman. referring to the Constitution. read from
the following section: Congress is authorized TO
exercise exclusive jurisdiction In all what
in such Dlsric, not exceeding ten miles
square made by cession Of the particular site
Of Government Of the United States. etc.
mo authority was granted 10 Congress-. said
Mr.. Sherman ito occupy some other site The
District of Columbia fixed By the Constitution.
In my judgment Congress had no power TO recede
the States any portion Of the District set aside
for the seat Of Government OF the United States.
But even II they had the power Of cesson. they
would have the same power 10 recede from the
cession and restore to the District OF Columbia
IFS former boundary. not to exceed ten miles
square do not think the State OF Virginia would
mote her interests by bringing about n large de-
vclopment Of that region"