Evening star., 1899-02-11
THE CAPITAL CENTENNIAL
Report Of the House Committee on the Sen
ate Bill
Celebration of the Establishment %
the Seat of Government I'm
the District.

OF the House District committee on Senate
bill 53si. relating to the centennial cele-
bration OF the establishment Of the seat OF
government in the District OF Columbia.
1t says In part:
'The purpose of this bill is to authorize
the appointment of committees TO prepare
plans for an appropriate national celebra-
tion' In the year 1890 of the first session
OF Congress in the District and the estab
hshment of the seat Of government therein.
The following memorial was presented
by the above mentioned committee to the
President:
AT public meeting of citizens held
the 24th of October the chairman was au-
thorized TO appoint a committee of nine
citizens, who should consider plans for
the proper celebration of this centennial
and report their recommendation at a
meeting TO be called for that purpose.
III is the opinion of this committee that
the national character of this event and
the peculiar conditions which do now and
uouptless Will, surround our national his
tofy make II desirable to elevate the cele-
praIion beyond purely local aspects. II
marks the creation and growth of the cam
ltai OF a great country: Il indicates the
rapidly opening possibilities OF our future
Inc country has. apparently completed
one phase of Its development The coming,
century opens for it a Worldwide field
which it has not hitherto sought TO enter
Within our borders We have a united and
prosperous people
In order that This S,,biact ,,,a,. Ia
Drought to the attention of Congress- in a
manner suited to the dignity and impor-
tance of the occasion. we have the honor
10 request that you will suggest in your
annual message to Congress such leeisla-
tlon as will provide for the appointment of
4 national committee. consisting of five
senators and five representa- tives, to be an
pointed by the President of the Senate and
Ear nf tnst
snail act with the committee appoinied IN,
the citizens Of the District of Columbia
and that you be empowered to further in
crease TINS committee by the addition Of
citizens at large.
1t is also suggested that you invite the
governors of the several states and terri
tories to act as members of this commit
Tee winch, when finally constituted shall
pe authorized to report to Congress a suit
able plan for the celebration of the event
" 1t might be added that the committee
ALREADY appointed are unanimously of the
opinion that so important an event could
Wen De marked by the erection of a fyne
OF architecture which will in itself insnire
patriotism and broader love of country
such as memorial hail. a bridge connect
ing the District Of Columbia with the
sacred ground of Arlington. or some other
permanent structure which would com
memorate not only the occa sion but also
the exceptionally happy condition of our
people at this time. when to so marked
NSSicS lllSIt ~ nptlGeU Inc absence of all
sectional feeling and the prevalence Of good
Will throughout the land
Ihe following is taken from the recent
message OF President Mckinley, and is in
corporated as part of this report:
In the year 1860 will occur the centcn-
NAL anniversary of the founding of the
city of Washington for the permanent can
ital OF the government of the United States
py authority of an act of Congress ap-
proved July 16, 1890 In Nav. 1880. tbe
archives and general Offices of the federal
government were removed to this place
On the 18th OF November. 1900 the national
Congress met here for the first time. and
assumed exclusive control Of the federal
District and city. This interesting event
assumes all the more Significance when We
recall the circumstances attending the
choosing o. ne site, the naming of The
capital IN honor of the father of his coun-
try, aad the interest taken by him in the
adoption of plans for its future deyelop-
ment on a magnificent scale.
ihese original plans have been wrought
out with a constant progress and a signal
success even beyond anything their trainers
could have foreseen. The peonle of The
country are Justly proud of the iistinc-
1--WE peauty and government Of the capital,
and OF the rare Instruments of science and
education which here find their natural
home. u
movement lately inaugurated by the
ctlzens TO nave the anniversary celebrated
with hitting ceremonies. including nerhaps
the establishment of a handsome narT,,a-
nent memorial TO mark so historical an gc-
casioh and to give it more than local
recognition. has met with general favor on
the part of the public
L recommend to the Congres ss the grant
ing of an appropriation for this purpose
ana the appointment of a committee from
It's respective bodies. 1t might also he ad-
Vlsable to authorize the President to ap-
point a committee from the country at
large. which, acting with the congressional
and District of Columbia committees. can
complete the plans for an appropriate ma
tional celebration
"A communication from President Wight
of the board of District Commissioners IS
included, closing with the foll owing recon-
mendation:
" This is a matter certainly in which the
whole country must take an interest, and
1t is believed that the formation of such
a committee of arrangements will insure
the wise and beneficial use that may be
made of such celebration, and add largely
TO the welfare and growth of the national
capital
Il am directed by the committee of which
am chairman TO present you these facts,
and TO say that the committee very earn
estly desires the passage of the bill, that
steps may be taken as soon as possible in
the direction indicated"