The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-29

effort fnoliy failed
on the 10th day OF Nay, lSl. Mr Ice
% Virginia, introduced resolution pro
viding for tie erection on public buho-
luns i'm Georgetown. on the Potomac.
This resolution. like It's predecessor
tailed of adoption The Constitution,
adopted On 1885, provided for a Federal
district not exceeding ten miles square
for the permanent seat of government.
Action was not taken % give effect 20
this provision OF the Constitution until
The 2}d OF December, lls. when Maryland
passed ON act Co code 10 the United States
"a district Of 30 miles square, the net leav-
my with Coneress 20 decide where tho
exact site should poe selected.
on the 30 Of December. 1889. the State
OF Virginia passed an act Tor tho ccssicn
Of q district ten miles square. and sug-
resfing Tho selection ~ % site on tho po-
torrac river. whore "the states OF Penn
sylvara Maryland, and Virginia may
participate in such location
so action was taken by Congress upon
either Of those acts until September 3.
1852 when a resolution passed the House
of Pcn~ceenfativcs establishing tho scat
OF Government ON the Susquehauna river.
In the debates which cnsuod on that res
oIuff0n The word "Suequohanna' was
struck out and that Of GEORGETOWN"
Inserted This resolution. which then
tcon tho form of o b.il passed The House
but failed OBJ pass the the Senate.
FINALLY DECIDED.
on the 2lst OF May. 1890 a bin was IN
trodrcod in the Senate "to determine the
permanent scat of Congress and the
Government OF the United States" Bal
timoro. Georgetown, patapsco. and Ta-
vrc de Grace were mentioned as desirable
places for the capital of the country
pnt finally Che act establishing "the tenn
p0rary and permanent seat Of govern
mont for The United States was passed
July lf. 1900. fixing the banks OF the Po-
tomac river as The most desirable site
In compliance witt This oct President
Washington visited WHhamsp0rt. Wash
irgton county. Maryland. but not lik-
inr the situation. selected the present
location and upon his report tho act of
March 9. 1901 was passed. amending that
of July 16 1lo. and authorized the Pres
i1eut 20 include Hunting Creek and the
town ~ Alexandria in the Federal disc
tr-ot. THUS the present District of Column
bia was located.
A year or two Dri0r 10 the selection %
tho site came % cercrous proposal from
Virginia. seconded by Maryland to "ad-
vance, moneys FOR fhc erection Of build
subsequently accepted and ON this Is
based the contention which has been go
irr on FOR many years. the Congresses Of
later days having refused 10 repay the
moneys advanced by these States.
VTRG1NINs PROPOSAL
TO is shown 10y an act OF tho General
Assembly OF Virginia. passed December
g. llf l1 Uenning. page 3D. that the es-
adjustment of situation f9g the seat
OF the General Government central ana
convenient t0 the citizens of the Omitted
states at large having due regard TO
population. extent OF territory. and
free navigation % the Atlantic ocean.
through the Chesapeake Fay. as well as
ready c0mmW' cation with our fellow
stazcns on the western frontier engaged
the attention OF said General Ass mhv
oul ON the 10th of December tha, CEN
eaI Assembly pas scI the following:
"Re-oIved. By tho General Assembly
OF Virginia. That copy of the foregoing
act Df The 2d 0f December. 1850. be trans
nittod 20 tho General Assembly OF Mary
land without delay. and that 10 he pro-
posed TO said Assembly TO unite with this
Iee allure in au application to Congress.
that in case Congress shall deem IL inc
evped'eut 90 establish Che permanent seat
90 Government of the United states on
the banks of the Potomac. so as TO in-
cludo the cess Jon of either state or
uart of the ceseim of both States this
assembly do pass au act for advancing
q sum OF money not excel I.ne Si2oo''.
10 the use oc the General Government,
To- be applied m such manner as Con-
rres4 shall direct towards erecting pub
bic buildings the sai1 assembly of Mary
Sand ON fnofr part advancing sum nor