Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-01

Washington shares with the nation In Its
appreciation of the favors granted by the
year that has just passed and in its hope
that 1898 will be even more kind and bene-
fcent. The local interests have been con-
served in many directions and the capital
city has progressed steadily, If slowly,
toward the goal of local ambitions, the de-
velopment of the city into its full proper
lions the seat of government or the
greatest of republics. Though many i'm
portant problems affecting the citizens and
their concerns remain unsettled as the new
year opens, there are noticeable in various
directions signs of promise that the COM
ing twelve months will produce some long
expected results. 1t is thought that some
advancement will be effected this year in
the work of freeing the city streets from
railroad tracks at grade. That achieve
ment alone would mark the year as nota-
BILE. 1t is thought, too, that Congress will
be convinced of the need and the equity
of such an amendment of the existing act
providing for highway extension plans as
will ensure it's conservative administra-
ton without impairing the force and eff
feet of the statute which fixes the fiscal
relations of the District and the general
government.
The events of the past year are set forth
in convenient form and interesting array
in other columns today. This history of the
District for a twelve-month is worthy of
preservation for future reference. The Star
has thus written the records Of the passing
years on each succeeding first of January
and its files will, therefore, remain of great
value to the students of events. The rec
ord of 1897 bears its average quota of I'M
happy events, its tragedies, its list OF the
names of respected citizens who have
passed away and it's percentage Of crime.
But more than ofsetting this dark phase
of the local existence during the year are
many happy incidents, many suspicious
happenings, profitable transactions and
beneficial changes. The business interests
of the city have felt the reviving influence
of prosperous conditions. and the courts
have interviewed to prevent the encroach-
ment of a nefarous scheme of unwhole-
some competition. One of the great trac-
ton concerns suffered from what at first
appeared most disastrous fire. but that
is regarded as a beneficent accident.
In that it has permitted the substitution of
more modern and satisfactory system of
motive power, without in the least alienat-
ing the sympathies and good will of the
FdlIOHS VI the illlc curing the transition
era of inconvenience Another company
operating car lines passed through several
stages of deliberate poverty and defiance
of the public, but new men are now in
possession, and it is promised that the new
year will witness the practical completion
OF Washington's street railway system
upon the most approved basis.
new administration of the national gov
ernment was inaugurated under promising
auspices and favored the District with the
appointment of three exceptionally able
and reliable men to administer the munich
pal affairs. Those residents who are en-
ployed by the United States feel secure
in their tenure of Office during good be-
havior and continued good service not
withstanding the efforts of the spoilsmen
for the President stands firm in his sup
port of the merit system, and the threat of
raid upon the offices and the consequent
unsettlement of many vital local concerns
has passed.