Evening star., 1898-12-19

beneficial results for the District of Colum-
bia. They have not ignored that part of
the resolution which requires them to re-
port to meeting of citizens such plans as
IL their opinion ara proper for the obServ-
ance of this great national event. hut it
viii be seen from the report made tonight
that no plans have been adopted. The
committee have called the citizens together
tonight for the purpose of reporting pro-
gtess, and to acquaint them with the steps
which have been taken thus far 1t is
hoped that their action will meet with the
approval of the citizens"
Submitted TO President
The information which was submitted to
the President to which reference is made in
the report of the committee was then read
1t follows in part:
The citizens of the national capital ap-
preciate the fact that the year 1899 will be
the centennial of events in the nations
history, which, while they are general in
character, are directly related to our city
and the District of Columbia.
The one hundredth anniversary of the
laying OF the cornerstone of the Capitol
was properly commemorated by our citi-
zens, September Is, 1898 but the approach
ing events to which we refer are of larger
Importance and demand more general
notice.
In May, 1900, the archives and general
offices of thu federal government were re-
vember, $500, the national Congress met
here for the first time, and assumed eX-
elusive control of the federal District and
city.
This may be said to have been the es-
tablishment of the city Of Washington as
the permanent capital of the United States,
the legal requirements being fully complied
with when Congress met in regular session
on the first Monday in December 1860 in
accordance with the act of July l6 l7g9
which reads as follows:
And be it further enacted, That on the
first Monday in December. in the year
eighteen hundred, the seat of governm mt
of the United States shall, by virtue of this
act, be transferred TO the District and
place aforesaid
Origin of the Movement.
''At public meeting of citizens, held the
oath of October, the chairman was author
lied to appoint committee of nine citi-
zens, who should consider plans for the
proper celebration of this centennial and
report their recomm nda tions at a meeting
to be called for that purpose.
1t is the opinion Of this committee that
the national character of this event and
the peculiar conditions which do now and
doubtless will, surround our national his
tory, make ii desirable to elevate the cele-
bration beyond purely local aspects. 1t
marks the creation and growth of the cap
ital of a great country; il indicates the rap
idly opening possibilities of our future. The
country has, apparently, completed one
phase of its development. The coming CEN
tury opens for it a world wide field. which
it has not hitherto sought to enter. Within
our borders we have a united and prosper
Gus people
In order that this subject may he
brought to the attention of Congress in a
manner suited to the dignity and import
ance Of the occasion, we have the honor to
request that you viii suggest in your an
nual message to Congress such legislation
as will provide for the appointment of a
national committee, consisting of five SEN
ators and five representatives to be an
pointed by the President of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House, respectively.