Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-02-04
REMOVE TIE STATE CAPITAL.

REMOVE THE STATE CAPITAL.
The Eastern Shore of Maryland now
moves that the State capital be removed
from Annapolis 10 the sacred confines oil
the sixth district ChestertODn Trdnsc7Ipt
The SENTINEL seconds the motion. And
in doing so the SENTINEL begs leave TO sug-
gest that sixteen miles northwest of the City
oil Washington, and at an elevation Of four
hundred and fifty feet above tide, is situated
the thriving town Of Rockville, which offers
peculiar advantages as the seat Of the state
government. II is not so far within the
Sixth District that it cannot, by rising upon
tip toe, peep over the edge and, beholding
the fair counties that lie beyond, sympsthiZe
with their out.in.t the. coldishness. And yet
It is 30 much part Of the sacred confines"
that il catches some of the warmth that
streams from the ingles in the "cozy hooks"
of Cumberland and Hagerstown. The air
it breathes is above the strata which generate
the mysterious malaria. II has brand new
water supply, 30 that visiting statesmen need
not thirst; It has brand new electric light
plant 10 that visiting statesmen need not
stumble. Subdivisions galore offer eligible
locations for magnificent public buildings
and for lofty monuments TO dead and gone
patriots. The clay of the land" renders
feasible pipe line to Kings Valley, whence
the "mountain dew" may be drawn at all
hours of the day and the night, and budding
statesmen may incidentally learn valuable
lessons in "laying pipes" A land Of plenty
smiles around It. Herds Of fat cattle and
mich kline Craze upon the surrounding hills,
the rural orchestra mingles its mellow tones
with the harsher notes Of trade and progress,
and in season
"The banded sheaves stand orderly
Against the purple Autumn sky,
Like armies Of prosperity"
1t is rich in octogensrians, who stand erect
as lads OF twenty Near by are modern
wonders, such as the Cabin John Bridge,
and venerable antiquities, such as the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal and the Georgetown
Turnpike. By day, from its gentle slopes
one may see the monument which hlial
piety has reared 10 the Father of his Coun
try, and catch the inspiration of his lofty
AID matchless example; by night, the glow
in the southern sky reminds US of the gaseons
patriotism which burns beneath the peerless
dome and spreads itself through the columns
of the Congressional Record.
These, however, are but some Of the visi-
Bile, physical features of location whose
political availability is unique and impreg-
nable. To say nothing of the innate genius
for politics which for generations has char
acterized its citizens, 1--WE refrain from par
tcuiarizing for fear of committing an in
vidious omission), think Of it's proximity TO
the Capital city OF this great republic,
whence the Governor and the General As
sembly could draw political wisdom as they
could draw "mountain dew" from Kings
Valley. BY careful study at short range
they could catch on" to the tricks peculia
TO every State 10 the Union, and in course
of time make Maryland politics as varcgated
az a crazy Quilt aud invincible, Of course,
by reason of its adaptability To all con
ditions and circumstances whatsoever.-
Moreover, and chief o: oil, owing to cir.
cumstances over which the railroads have
control, the great majority of those seeking
the State Capital would be obliged to pass
through the Aforesaid Capital city of this
great republic. As the "cards of travel"
with which they are provided permit the
stop over privilege, the opportunity to see
ones Congressman or Senator, or to badger
cabinet minister, or to bore the President,
would be of daily occurrence, and the watch
ing of chances for soft thing" would he
comparatively easy task, II is true that
congressman, senators, cabinet ministers and
presidents might object to this, but what are
they there iory Our interested and interest
ing public men would no longer be restricted
to the narrow dimensions OF an Anticipated
State House. They could overflow into the
Federal city, and 10 the corridors Of the de-
partments and the Capitol or the waiting
room of the White House, according TO the
season, keep warm while Borean blasts
sweep "The Avenue" or keep cool while
the July sun blisters the fragrant asphalt
But above all, the Eastern Shore would
learn how the Sixth District docs It" All
these considerations, it seems to us, make up
an irreiragable argument.
II is true that the somnolent city by the
Severn would suffer some incon venience, but
the traditions of two hundred years Of polit-
ical prestige and governmental hospitality
would be, Of themselves, priceless posses
sions; and, natural as its opposition would
be, il should not stand in the way OF the
great considerations we have named, and o.
the rapid development Of the political mil.
lennium which would follow upon tn,
change we suggest.
For years this idea of removing the Stat,
Capital 10 Rockville has fingered in on
thought like q lovers longing ior his ahsen
sweetheart Hitherto the modesty Of con
scious merit has forbidden us to speak
Now that the unselfsh msgnanimity of on
Ohestertown contemporary has opened th
way, we should be derelct in duty to on
beautiful town. to the State of Maryland, an
TO the politics and politicians Of the futur,
did we not embrace the opportunity wit
eagerness and press the suit with ardor.
Again, the SENTINEL seconds the motion
A SUGGE STTVE STORY.