The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-13
LOCATING TILE CAPITAL
Preliminary Strife Preceding the
Selection of Site.
Hon. Serene Paync's Historic Re.
view of Events That Led to the
eminent Near the Lower Falls of
the Potomac-Here for All Time.

The Establishment of the Seat oil
Government in the District of Columbia
was the subject which Hon. Serene E
| had been assigned to discourse upon a,
the exercises in the hall of the House OF
Representatives yesterday. Mr.. Payne
said
THE causes that led to the establish
ment of the seat of government in the
| District of Columbia, and the Capital
| City of great nation, are unique In the
| history of nations Ancient capitals
were the seats of all that was best in
literature and art. In later days, Lon
don, Paris and Berlin were cities fore
most in commerce, population and
| wealth. long before each became in turn
the capital of powerful nation. Our
fathers located the seat of government
in the open fields where the trees were
yet growing and the streets unsurveyej.'
Time has long since made 1t great in
learning and art.
If we had followed historic precedent
New York or Philadelphia would have
been chosen. The former was great in
population, in wealth and in enterprise
1t stood at the gateway of commerce,
foreign and domestic. 1t then gave
promise of that which the closing century
almost witnesses, an advance to the po-
sition of the first city in the world. The
latter situated on one of the natural
highways of the country. near the centre
N in nio1
and material things; but was far greater
as tie birthplace and cradle of American
liberty.
Each Of these States had In turn fur
nisned temporary seat Of government
for the federation of the States; each had
offered to donate suitable grounds and
buildings for the Federal House, an offer
OF no little consequence in view OF our
bankrupt treasury.
Other cities, Baltimore. Lancaster.
York, Princeton, Trenton, and Annapolis
had furnished temporary refuge to the
Continental Congress, in the varying vi
cissitudes of the war, and each had its
claim on the grateful patriotism of our
people. Every city had extended hospi-
table welcome, and had quickly matured
plans TO give TO the Congress permanent
abiding place.
After the close of the war, and as early
as 1888 the discussion concerning place
for the permanent seat of government be-
gan in earnest. The people tired of row
ing Capital; indeed. all necessity for this
had ceased; there was no longer danger
of The capture of our Legislature in any
part of the States eu
Looking back after more than century
has passed it is difficult to realize the Bit
terness and acrimony of the debate State
"a
4 suitable place. New York urged King
ston; Rhode Island. Newport; Maryland,
Annapolis: New Jersey. Trenton. and Vir-
GINA, Williamsburg. But Congress re-
jeeted all. Then it was that the cities of
New York and Philadelphia offered build
ings for a Federal House. and Baltimore
Town proposed TO erect sucn buildings
as the Government should require. IL as
sured that the Capital would be located
there. At least half of the thirteen States
were pressing for the location Of the Cap
ital within their own borders.
In June. 1888, an incident happened in
Philadelphia. which caused not only the !
removal of Congress from that city. but |
doubtless destroyed all hope OF locating |
the Capital permanently in a large city.
Some unpaid soldiers, who had become /
threatened and insulted the /
in Congress. The local /
failed to suppress the riot and |
Congress, in consequence, beat mastery /
but hasty retreat.
I'm October of that year Elbridge Gerry |
offered a resolution to erect buildings for
the use of Congress on either the Potomac
or the Delaware River. provided n site !
suitable for n Federal City could be Sc
cured On either river. In April. 1884, this
resolution was modified. providing for the I
erection of such buildings on both of the
rivers. But this was all finally repealed
on the 26th of april. In the following Oc-
tober Congress passed resolution to Sc
Iect place either in the State of New
Jersey or in Maryland.
Looking Toward the Potomac.
1.-THE next day they appointed a commit
tee to examine a site on the Delaware
river. and soon thereafter another com
nittee to examine and report on loca-
lion at or near the lower falls Of the
Potomac This committee discharged it's
luties, but years elapsed before Congress
passed upon it. 1t was as difficult for
Congress to make up its mind in those
lays on the location of the seat of gov
srnment as it has been during the last
iecsde to locate a site for any new Gov
building in Washington. The
discussion continued with no abatement