The times., 1899-12-17

Up to 1900, Philadelphia, had. for several /
years, had the honor Of being the Federal
Capital. and probably would have remained
so TO the present day but for an unfortu-
nate incident that occurred on the 21st of
OcrCber. l7SS. when Congress was grossly
insulted by a band Of mutineers. which the
authorities were unable TO queH For safe /
ty OF life and limb the honorable body ad-
jourued to Princeton. y. J.. where sessions
We're held in the hall OF the college. and. I
owing TO this disturbance, the subject of
permanent seat of Government was taken
up and its discussion was continued up To
the time OF the adoption OF the C0ustitu-
uon. Truly. its an III wind that blows
no good. That riot was an i'll wind for the
CRY OF Brotherly Love but god-seud for
this present magnificent city.
History repeats itself Early in the pres
eut century Montreal was selected as
permanent seat OF government for the Ca
madam provinces. A grand House Of Par
lament was erected at great cost, with a
mansion for the governor general and
homes for the other officials The Cana
dian rebellion occurred ia lS37-3s. I'm 1880
OF 1871. a general amnesty was proclaimed,
which gave all the leaders of the rebellion
and all who lad taken arms against the
Queen a full pardon with all the rights Of
citizenship. and number Of the leaders
were elected TO seats in the House OF Par
liament. The ultra royalists, in particular
the Orangemen. bitterly opposed the noble
and generous act. Finally a mass meeting
was called and many thousands assembled
and in their madness attacked the House
Of Parliament forced the doors and used
the desks and seats for a bonfire. Soon
nothing was left CT the grand and costly
edifce except the bare walls Besides a
number OF innocent citizens were killed
or wounded. To punish the rioters, the
seat Of government was Immediately
changed TO Ottawa, where it remains. and
probably viii for centuries TO come; and
none regret the loss more than the Orange
clan. VINO were the ringleaders Of the riot
and applied the torch 10 the Parliament
building.
Selecting the Site.
The place where the American seat OF
Government should be located, was ac-
knowledged by every member Of Congress
10 be q matter OF the greatest importance.
The future tranquility and well being Of
the United States. said Mr.. Scott. OF Penn
sylvania, depended as much on this as on
any question that ever had. or could, come
before Congress. The debates on the sew
ersl resolutions and bills elected much
warmth OF feeling and sectional jealousy.
Almost all agreed thar New York was not
q suitable place not being sufficiently cen
tral There was a division OF sentiment as
70 the advantages Of Philadelphia and
Germantown. Havre de Grace, and place
called WrighJs Ferry on the Susque-
hanna Baltimore and a location on the
banks OF the Potomac lthe present sitel,
weIe about equally divided in the num-
her Of supporters. Mr. Carroll, OF Mary
land. strongly supported the Potomac site.
The motion TO insert Baltimore instead of
the Potomac was defeated by a vote Of
3 to %
The final action upon the subject of
Capital site was taken July Is. 1880 when
the present location was selected by a
vote Of 81 10 %, on the passage Of a bill
entitled An act establishing the perma-
nent seat OF Government Of the United
States So IL was that the 18th day of
July, $3.50 settled forever the very i'm
pOrtsnt question ia favor Of the Potomac
<te as the seat OF the National Govern
cent That day deserves special notice
IT, indeed. II is not the most appropriate
time for holding the proposed jubilee
The following are the names OF those
who voted on the 10th day OF July 1870,
il favor o. locating the permanent seat of
Government on the banks OF the Potomac,
which afterward became the District OF
Columbia and city OF Washington. Messrs.
CadWalader and Seuneckson. Of New Jer-
sey- Clyuer, Fitzsimm0ns. Hartley Heis-
ter. Nuhlenberg, Scott. and Wyncoop. of
Pennsylvania; liHiEE. OF Delaware; Car
roll. Contee, Gale and stone of Maryland;
Brown Cole Griffin. Lee Madison Moore.
Page Parker. and White. OF Virginia:
Ashe Bloodworth. Sewer Steele. and VII
hanson. Of North Carolina, Sumpter. OF
South Carolina, Baldwin. Jackson. and
Matthews. Of Georgia
Names 10 BE Honored.
Il would seem that at The beginning OF
a second century OF the District OF Colum-
bia as the permanent seat Of the nations
Government some action should b. taken tc
bring the above names prominently before
the American people. Il nothing more q
bronze OF marble tablet. containing ,hs
names. Iu bold. plain letters. should be
given a conspicuous place in the halls Of
the Capitol. To neglect this simple tribute
10 The memory o. the men 10 whom the
American people are indebted for its pres
eIt beautiful and popular Capitol Woull
be llgratlfEae 70 say the least.
There are. 81 appears three days IN The
months of June and July Of the cOmiul
year which the citizens Of the Dlstric
% Columbia can appropriately celebrate
namely the Fourth Of July. the 10th o.
July the anniversary Of the day CDugres
voted iu favor OF the present seat OF Gov.
ernmcut and the 18th Of June the day th1
doors o. the State. Treasury. War Navy
and PosjofHce Departments were opene,
Tor The nrer time for The transaction %
business. Select a tine midway batweEI
the 18th OF Ju-E and 10th of July and th
q. 3D. and fJh o. July, suggest thems5lye
as the proper days for the proposed jubilee
About june J. 1899 q soop was chartered
20 convey the Government effects from
Philadelphia 10 Washington az d less COS
lhan $500. as reported in an ancient doc
umeuL i was a risky undertaking &,
send the priceless documents ia the charE.
Of a single sloOp. liable 10 go 10 the bottom
ot the ocean the first gale she encountered
but streak OF good luck brought Jhl
craft 10 a safe harboT.
Eu ihe months o. april and May Ia,
commissioner, who had been appointed II
superiuteud The construction Of The build
iucs required foE the use CT Congress. am
Government officials reported that th
Capitol, the Presidents Mansion and ID
other public buildings were ready 10 b.
occupied. In response 10 this report al
order WAS ISSUED 40 commence the rem0va
OF the Government records at once. an,
during the month Of june fH work ua
accomplished.
Some Changes Suggested.
Congress took possession Of the Cap
itol. and on the third Monday ia Noyem
Der 1850. held iJs first meeting. To ceIe
brstc this historical session ii would seen