Evening star., 1897-02-10

he would call down any one who attempted
to make a lorg speech.
/ Commissioner Ross said that he was glad
| to have the opportunity which the evening
afforded to meet his fellow townsnen and
] to meet members Of the two houses OF Con-
sress; Mr. Ross then said he supposed it
| was hardly the proper thing for him to
address members Of Congress regarding the
| neets Of the city of Washington. but he
| would speak of one or two things. He said
| that he thought Washington has hardly
appreciated the growth that had come to
| the capital Of the nation because the lay
| ing out of the city had not been on as ex-
tensive plan as It had been shown is nee
| sssary. Mr.. Ross thought that no one could
know the possibilities of Washington.
If any man." he said. 'can tell what
| the republic will be one hundred years from
| now. only he can tell what the future of
the capital city will be. To me there is
| nothing more important for the welfare of
/ this city than the increasing of the water
supply for the District. Heavy rates are
/ now charged for a scarce supply of water.
| when but fourteen miles away Is one Of the
| most beautiful and bountiful streams ready
| to be utilized that there is In the country
| But there Is trouble about the ownership of
| the water power of this stream which has
become the subject OF bill in Congress
providing for a commission to determine
| the ownership and 10 condemn the lands
| for which the United States shall paw
That is legislation In the line of good gov
| ernment and good sense. Water ought to
De SO pienteous. SO cheap. that in the sun,-
/ 49, .iihc. " heH you SENATORS ana repre-
sentatives are detained here by business.
| the streets could be flooded to cool the tenn
| perature. We who live here don't claim to
cwn this city. 1t belongs to you and your
| constituents. We want to make the city a
| more beautiful one than 1t now is SO that
| you ana your friends may admire and en-
! joy it,
| Mr.. Ross told a humorous story regarding
| a visit he had received from a London al
derman while the District Offices were
| quartered on lst street He said that after
an hours pleasant conversation with the
| alderman regarding the government of the
capitals of the two English. speaking ma
tions, the alderman had expressed desire
TO see the municipal building of Washing
ION. The Comrnis sioner remarked to him
| that ne was in the municipal building of
the city. The alderman could not under
stand that SO magnificent a city as Wash
| lnston could have so common a place in
Wnicn t.,a 10 quarter its municipal offices. and
| the Commissioner was wholly unable to
| convince his distinguished guest that he
| was actually in the municipal building at
washington Mr.. Ross then spoke of the
great need OF this city for a new municipal
| building. which he hoped that Congress
would soon give. Mr.. Ross remarks were
| greeted with applause, and from the re-
ception OF his plea for new municipal
| building on the part of the senators and
| representatives present one might imagine
| there would be no hesitation on the part
| OF Congress to provide means for such a
| structure.
Are Too Modest.
| Senator-elect Money of Mississippi was
then introduced by Mr.. Warner. Mr.. Money
said that the people of Washington are too
modest in asking Congress for what they
need. and INDUCED in little pleasant
chatting Of members of the board of trade.
| He said that this was the great capital of
| the nation, and, of course, Congress ought
| to pay half of the taxes. He said the
| pride OF the country ought to lead Congress
1 n frlr+ har ~;
| and a rich nation, and perhaps it ought to
pay all the taxes of the District of CO.
| lumbia.
| Perhaps you want to know what we
| think of the city Of Washington" said Mr.
| Money. Il think 1t Is the finest city in the
| world that it has the finest president of a
| citizens association. and the finest people.
| The Commissioner referred to its future.
| and | believe that just as long as this ma
| tion of 7OWO.W0 of the most progressive
| and most enterprising people in the world
| retain their high character In this respect.
| this city must increase in size and popula-
ton. and just so long will Washington be
| the financial. political and social capital of
| the country. The city is bound to increase
| In size. Perhaps one reason why you do
| not obtain more from Congress than you
| do is because you are too modest In asking.
The trouble seems to be that the people of
| Washington do not find out what they want
| until 1t Is too late, and Congress adjolrns.
| Call for what you want often enough, and
| you will secure It, Don't be so modest. 1t
seems to me that tonight you business peo-
| pie have resolved yourselves into a grand
committee on ways and means, for the pur-
| pose of touching the congressional heart,
and these gentlemen will go away soft
| ened."
| Public Schools.
| Mr. Moneys remarks created frequent
| laughter and applause. He was followed
| by Representative w. W. Grout Of Yer
| mont, chairman of the subcommittee of
| the House committee on appropriations,
| having charge Of appropriations for the
| District of Columbia. Mr.. Grout referred
| to President Woodward's remarks on the
| crowded condition of the public schools of
the city of Washington, and the problem
| how sixty thousand children could be got
in school houses that will accommodate
| but forty thousand. Mr.. Grout said that
he was regarded as an extremist on the
subject Of schools and education He said
that the members of the District committee
realize that the District of Columbia needs
more schools. and he said they would be
provided after while, but the condition of
the treasury must be borne In mind. Mr..
Grout declared that he took the greatest
pride In the development Of the capital of
the nation. and spoke Of the pleasure and
pride that visitors from his state had cx-
perienced in coming to this city.
His Advice.
Mr.. Warner said that he would call upon
some one to represent the great and grow
| ing west. The east and south had been
| spoken for. and now he wanted those pres
| ent to hear from that great state of Ne
| braska, that had figured so prominently
| In national affairs of late. He called upon
Senator John NJ. Thurston. Mr.. Thurston
made a humorous speech, which brought
| forth rIpples Of laughter constantly. Mr.
Thurston remarked that he had listened
with pleasure to what had been said by
the president Of the board of Commission
ers regarding the need of the capital for
more water. He said there were bills pend
ing in Congress-referring to the bill to
prohibit the sale of liquor at the Capitol
and to the Morse bill-and in the result of
their passage there would be great de-
mand for water in the District Of Column
bia, especially on the part Of members of
Congress. He hoped when that time came
that there would be an abundant supply
or good drinking water.
Ever since met the business men of
W ashington. year ago." said Mr.. Thurs
ton. i have been very much impressed
with their character. After that meeting
| made some inquiries, and was told that
you and Congress transact all the business
OF the city, and that you have a great deal
OF 1t to do; for, from what have heard,
congress does nothing. I would not dare
TO say this In executive session, for fear
OF wider publicity. In regard to Washing
ton, 1 want to say we have already the
Il Ill.