The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02

which surrounded the Capitol.
The building of the city, as might be
expected, attracted number of that class
of persons who, though poor in meals.
were still rich in schemes. Among the ear
liest was one Samuel Blodgett, who appear
cd on the scene as an applicant for per
mission TO build an entire street, which
was granted. After considerable planning
and negotiating, the enterprise was aban-
Goned, the Commissioners having no funds
to spare, and Blodset,'s beins all in an
ticIpation. urdaunted, however, the same
person undertook the erection OF great
hotel, the funds for which were to be rails
ed By lottery, the hotel being the first
prize. The building was partly erected,
and was drawn by a person without means
to complete it. II remained unfinished
till purchased, years after, by the Govern
ment for the Postoftce and Patent once.
In 1898 the Commissioners entered into
an agreement with Robert Morris ana
James Greenleaf for the sale OF S.ocO lois,
at $50 4 lot, payable in seven annual IN
stallments, without interest. they obligat-
ing themselves to erect, in li94, and an
nually for six years, twenty brick houses
two stories high. The above two and
John Nicholson bound themselves to fui-
fill the contract. The parties failed to
comply with any portion Of the contract
of the Commissioners.
One of the great obstacles in the way OF
the Commissioners in the beginning was
the scarcity of skilled workmen. Agents
we're sent to northern cities, and some
importations were made from abroad. The
slaves from the adjacent plantations were
almost exclusively employed as laborcrs.
In 1896 Congress authorized the Com
missioners, under the direction of the
y,
same time, assumed supervision of the
affairs of the city. requiring the Commits
sioncrs to report their operations semi
annually to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Meeting with no success in negotiating
their loan in Holland. whence the first ap-
plication of the Commissioners was made.
the Assembly of Maryland came to their
rescue by granting them a loan of $780,
600.
The election of John Adams TO the Pres
idency at first excited some solicitude
on the part of the friends of the Federal
City, in consideration of the opposition
to the selection of the Potomac site shown
by the New England States in the discus
sion and vote in Congress in 1890. The
President, however. gave assurance of
determination to carry out the views of
his predecessor
In 1893. after a long discussion, Con-
gress voted another 100000 to the Com
missioners, which amount was also adj
vanced by the State of Maryland. The
next year $4,000 was obtained from the
same source. on the personal security of
the Commissioners.
In February, 1900. they executed the
papers necessary to the security of all
the loans or advances to the city, both
from the State of Maryland and the Ma
tional Government, amounting to 100000,
exclusive of the last loan of $4,000. For
that purpose they pledged all the prop
erty in the city sold or contracted for
before that time. and upon which pay
ments had not been made. The land ac-
CURED or purchased for the United States
and yet unsold. exclusive of lots for
feited for non-payment of purchase
| money and then liable to be Sold amount
ed to 4,6S2 lots and 2,oi3 feet frontage on
navigable water, valued at sSS4,750. The
debt was S144.12 and contracted for on
the credit of the above funds of $500, SS1.
The north wing of the Capitol, the Pres
ident's House, and War and Treasury
Offices, the first commenced in 1891. were
ready for occupation. A number of
dwellings had been erected by private
parties in the vicinity of the Capitol, the
Presidents House and Greenleaf's Point.
Pennsylvania Avenue, the thoroughfare
from the Capitol to the Presidents House.
was ditched. Other avenues and streets
connecting the widely scattered parts of
the city were also opened. The reserva-
lions around the Capitol and Presidents
House were planted. a turnpike was also
opened to Baltimore. Suitable provis
80 ,..ns, 80, o. Ien6 a. aroh;,.as
IS ~ Co-or1r,.,t we've corroyod IN
w.sb;n.ton Tho Executive and offices
- ron.to-r,a ~ ~ s,r,o tive
Adams che FIRST Tehaht.
The first President to occupy the Presi-
dents house was John Adams. who took
noesession in November 1890 after the
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