Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-18
THE PtTAL CIT
1t Should Be the Best Protected City in the
Nation.
Smithsonian Institution in Danger
From the Frame Shed in
the Rear.
20 the Editor of The Evening Star:

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
The word of deepest influence in the vo-
cabulary of America is Washington.
For the man, no recorded incident can be
bright enough, no memorial great enough,
no monument high enough. Justly, appro-
priateiy, significantly, the nations
capital chrstened Washington.
As the man is first in the hearts of his
countrymen, so the city is first in the
thought of the nation-indeed, itself the
very heart of the nation, to and from which
flows, pulsatiugly, responsibility, now slow,
now quickened to fever heat unto its re-
| hottest ends, through countless courses, the
| national life blood.
AS the heart is the best-protected organ
in the body. being the most vital. so Wash
ington should be the best-protected city in
the nation, being the most important. In
deed, it should be extraordinarily different
from any other city in the country and the
world Not a smoky, noisy, manufacturing
commercial metropolis, but the ideal city,
the dwelling place of art, science. history
beauty truth, spiraton-where, in
curity and peace gather the delegated
sages and representatives of these, the
people of the United States, Ito eSta biSh
Justice, insure domestic tranquility, pro-
general welfare, and secure the blessings
of liberty TO ourselves and our posterify
by perfecting and perpetuating the spirit
and principles of republican government.
1t is in this spirit that Washington should
be considered, and then need it be said
that every true American is deeply and
unselfshly interested in all that tends to
empower, beautify. eNalt and perfect the
city and capital? Strange TO say, this spirit
and correct knowledge concerning the
actual status of Washington is lacking.
comparatively, more among the country's
representatives at Washington than among
the universal public.
One of the first facts a congressman
should understand, after his election, is
that he is a direct alderman of Washing
ton, to speak, well as the represcn-
tative of his particular district, and, to
begin he should peruSe the debates Of the
continental congress resulting in the adop-
ton of Washington as the nations capital.
He will then promptly see why Congress
is the aldermanic board, the municipal
council the exclusive legislature Of the
District; why no franchise exists; why,
therefore, no municipal council elected by
the local citizens could make District laws,
that delegatuS potestas non poteSt dele
gari; why the capital, Washington, should
have the best fire and police departments,
the best water and drainage systems, the
strictest health regulations, the cieanest
and best streets, the best military protec-
tion--in truth, the best municipal convent
ences and Improvements attainable, and,
a result, be the cleanliest, healthiest,
handsomest, best provided for and protect
ed city in the country and the world.
When the causes of the facts are under
stood and appreciated appropriations would
not be too closely stinted. individual con-
gressmen would take deeper interest in the
local affairs and welfare of the city, and
jealousies would not arise, especially in
congressman from distant sections, because
of the benefits to follow the citizens of
Washington who by chance have the good
fortune to reside there. Some one must
receive the benefit of good things, no mat
ter where they fall. Indeed, when all the
bottom facts are thoughtfully considered it
would be wiser if the country bore larger
share than now of the expenses of the CAPT
tai, and the local citizens less.
Indeed, one of the most vital incidents in
the formation of the American Union is in
volved in the circumstances surrounding
the selection of Washington as the nations
capital, and the facts should he in every
school book in the land, and especially in
the District of Columbia.
1t would be fruitful practice for the Wash
ington board of trade to annually present
each member of Congress. House and Sen
ate, with a concise reproduction of the de-
bates of the continental congress setting
forth the reasons why the capital of the
country should be exclusively the property
of the nation and exclusively ruled and
legislated for by Congress, and also a few
extracts from the practically legal side of
the facts as afterward tested in the courts
in District of Columbia VS.. Waggaman, 4
Mackey. p. 32S. and District of Columbia VS..
Dempsey. 81, Washington Law Reporter,
$3.50 Such a pamphlet would be of histori-
cdi interest dilu value MOI Olliy 10 the
zens of Washington, but as well to the
country at large.
When Congress in both wings. and espe-
cially the several committees particularly
related to District affairs, are intimately
acquainted with the status of Washington
as the capital. appropriations would be bet
ter considered, the city would be better
served and the country would be better
served Every municipal feature of the
city should be kept in perfect condition and
the best provision made for doing so. If,
because of negligence in matters of this
kind, the water supply would become seri-
ously contaminated. insufficient in summer
drought, or in excess of winters severity,
or the drainage system inadequate and
throw off disease and result in holding the
city in epidemic which would paralyze
governmental action and GUST Congress, the
people and Congress would instantly real
ize why Washington, the capital should be
different from any other city.
There should be no dirty, unkept streets,
avenues, alleys, &c. Above all, the beauti-
full and inspiring in the parks should be
protected. There should not be the shame
full condition of affairs seen in the park d.
rectly south of the Smithsonian Institution.
Here a portion of one of the finest natural
parks in Washington Is uselessly injured
and its beauty and usefulness park de- |
stroyed by number of frame sheds erect
ed by the authorities of the institution
who, especially because of their profession
are expected to have higher idea of the |
fitness of things. If such frame structures
were temporary there might be some ex-
euSa hut being permaQent they shauld ba