The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-05-22

and resident portion of the city, rendered the
land east of the Capitol comparatively value
less just now, however, the city is stretch
ing rapidly. to the eastward.
Shortly after 1S40 gas was introduced.
In 1851, the cornerstone of the beautiful adj
ditions to the Capitol, called the North and
South wings was laid by President Fillmore,
Daniel Webster delivering the address They
were completed in 1861, and the dome was
finished about the same time. In 1859 Con
gress gave the District the right TO use the
water from the Potomac Aqueduet and this
was the beginning of Washington magnifi-
cent water supply.
The State, War and Navy Department
Building was begun in 1871. Work was so
energetically pushed that the State Depart
ment occupied the South wing in 1875. Or
nament after ornament was rapidly added to
the city.
The FIRST telegraph line used was between
Washington and Baltimore. It was "a tenn
porary one, and was used to report the pro-
ceedings of the convention which nominated
Polk and Dallas, in 1874.
The population of Washington, in 1889,
was about $4,000 When Col. Berret was
elected Mayor, in 1858, it was estimated at
65, 900. At present it is over 100000.
While the present defences of the APP
breaches to the city are so perfect that many
think that its capture by any enemy would
be impossible, it was not always so securely
guarded. In 1864, during the civil war, the
city was for time left practically defence
less, owing to Gen. Grants having the Union
army around Richmond and Petersburg. In
July of that year, Gen. Lee, Confederate
Chief, ordered sudden raid on the capital
city, hoping thereby to induce Gen. Grant to
withdraw so much of his force from the be-
| fore mentioned Southern cities, as to involve
a temporary raising Of the siege. Gen. Early
had charge of the Confederate raiding party,
which numbered 1900 men. He crossed
| TIE Potomac, at Monocacy, and on July 8,
| defeated Gen. Wallace. Two days later he
was in sight of the Capital. Gen. Grant,
| however, sent Gen. Wright, with the Sixth
! Army Corps to defend Washington. On July
/ II, he attacked General Early, who retreated
| during the night and recrossed the Potomac.
The municipal form of Government of the
! District lasted until 1871, when a territorial
| form of government was organized. This, i'll
turn, was abolished by Act of June 20, 1874,
which placed the District under Commission
c~s, who were to be appointed by the presi
! dent, with the consent of the Senate.
Thus it will be seen that Col Berret has
seen the District Government under three
distinct FORMS
At the present time the many cable and
/ electric street car lines are causing the city
to enlarge rapidly, by rendering distant points
/ so easy of access. The way that residences
are being built along the lines of these routes,
and the rapid enlargement of such places as
! Tennallytown, Brightwood, Anacostia and
! Tacoma, prove that the day draws near when
the entire District will be one city, and what
are now suburbs will then be so many pre-
/ cincts.
1t will readily be admitted that in few
years the further enlargement of the District
will become necessity, and the old item miles
4 square may be restored, or it may even be
! increased That in a short time will be built
/ up solid too, if it be the will of the creator
| that things continue to progress, as they are
doing at present,
And now, after this brief glance az the
transitions through which Washington has
passed, it will be seen that an Anne lean can
we'll be pardoned for feeling an honest pride
in having been one of the 'city fathers for
nearly four years.
And today, whether riding or walking
through the city, or surveying its enchanting
| beauties from an eminehce, the beholder is
lost in admiration, and is prepared to volun-
tarily declare that it rs in every way worthy
to be the capital OF the graHdest republic the
world has ever seen, whose flag is seen on
every sea, and which has been appropriately
alluded to in song as 1.-THE land of the free,
! and the home of the brave
Col Berret still enjoys vigorous health, and
can be seen daily in his office, in Washington,
! transacting business, when not at his home,
| ''Glen Marcy near Freedom, Carroll county,