New-York tribune., 1900-12-13
klYORALTT GlMPAIaA, Tribune 0ffiGa, Haw-Yari.
and nominations to

National life which the decade just ending has
seen the capitals immediate future bids fair
to redeem TO the letter the most sanguine an
ticipations of Major L'Enfant's comprehensive
and far seeing architectural scheme. The Wash
ington of 1900 set beside the Washington Of
1900 or 1870 should certainly justify the pre-
diction that another centennial celebration will
find the Federal District acknowledged as
perhaps the most beautiful as we'll as
the most active and most powerful of
the great political capitals of the
world.
THE REMOVAL FROM PHILADELPHIA.
To-day's celebration did not mark exactly the
Tooth anniversary of the transfer Of the
Federal Governments functions from Phila-
delphia to Washington. Under the law in 1900
the two houses of Congress began their regular
winter session about two weeks earlier than
they do now, and November II was set as the
date on which the With Congress should reas-
semble at the new seat of Federal power. AS
neither house could have taken part this year in
anniversary ceremonies held on November II.
day was naturally chosen which should allow
the legislative branch its proper natural share In
the centennial celebration The Executive De-
partments had in fact, been partially installed in
the new District some time before the members
of the With Congress found their way to the un-
finished Capitol. President Adams leaving Phil
adelphia on May p. and travelling by circui-
tous route through Lancaster and Frederick
reached Georgetown June s. 1900 He in
spected the single wing Of the original Capitol
then far from finished, visited Alexandria at
the southern extreme OF the District and after
ten days stay in Georgetown departed for
Massachusetts, The President and Mrs. Adams
returned to occupy the White House early in
No-ember Of the same year. having the mis-
fort, afr f~ Nho de- TN
lonely and tedious journey from Baltimore to
Washington. The lower floor of the White
House was then unfinished and unfurnished. and
it's first occupants found the rest Of the Mansion
cold, damp and cheerless 1t was not until 1901
that they succeeded in making the building
fairly homelke and habitable.
The Executive Departments were installed in
temporary quarters at the new Capitol in June
and July 1900. One hundred and thirty-two
employees were brought from Philadelphia to
constitute the Governments entire Civil Service
They were scattered about in the stray available
buildings near the White House, which at once
began to assert its irresistible influences as the
centre Of growth for the new city. At the Capt.
tol only the small Senate chamber was Mt for
occupation on November IT, and the members
of the House. after much grumbltng' consented
to crowd themselves INTO a temporary room,
known as The Oven which the architects de-
vised in the basement of the original south
wing The present Statuary Hail. long the OLD
hall Of the House, was not occupied by the pop
MAR branch until 1908. John Cotton Smith, a
Representative from Connecticut, described the
Pennsylvania-ave. Of that day nearly the
whole distance (from the White House to the
CapitoD a deep morass, covered with elder
bushes which were cut through TO the Presi-
dents house. There appeared TO be- he added,
"Iut two really comfortable habitaticns within
11a Is Of
IN a ricketv wagon. and drive back again at
~ Se.SS,,, - e. ba saan hu+ scr1Ib osk The
worst is yet TO be told. There is only one good
tavern within days march"
In is no wonder that life at the new capital
impressed those who had to face it only by its
hardships and discomfCrts. The supreme Court
OF the United States thought retaining us com
forta BILE quarters in Philadelphia decidedly pref
erable 70 venturing hastily into the Potomac
wilderness. It sat on in the Old Capitol until
February 1901. when II adjourned 10 Washlng-
ton 20 be on hand for the arst inauguration or
Thomas Jefferson
A WONDERFUL CHANGE WROUGHT.
Visitors 10 the Washington of to-day find it
difficult to realize even by the widest stretch Of
imagination. the crudities Of the American CAPT
tai Of 1900 The lampoons Of Tom Moore, the
sneers Of scores Of European diplomats the i'm
precautions OF countless unhappy Congressman
and Cabinet officials are graciously forgotten by
q generation which has seen the sting extracted
from all these hinGs at the gigantic mockery OF
Washington's original pretensions as a seat OF
National Government. The American mind IS
used 10 violent contrasts, and finds little food
for wonder in any manifestation of sudden and
splendid growth. Washington itself has taken
the celebration Of its Tooth birthday with a
calmness which can spring only from serene
seIf-con1dence and assured success. II might
be pardoned however. as might the country at
large, livelier outburst Of enthus asm and self
satisfaction. For both TO the people of the
capital itself ard Of .he country at large no an
niversary could suggest more forcibly the i'm
easurable development OF American National
life than one which marks the contrast between
the Washington Of John Adams and the Wash
inrton OF William Mckinley and which signal
ICES century's successful struggle TO create a
National centre equal at once TO the dreams OF
its founders and to the necessities OF the Ma
tion's power and rank to-day.
GEN MILES THROWN FROM HIS HORSE
washington. Dec. l2-Lisutenant-GA General Miles
had a slight accident while heading the centennial
parade to-day. a break I'm his horses saddle girth
giving the General a fall The head OF the parade
had Just passed the Presidents reviewing stand
and General Miles having saluted the President
had turned his horse toward the House wing OF the
Capitol The saddle girth suddenly parted. permit
ting the saddle 70 the animal and General
Miles fell The horse did not plunge. an officer
sprang forward Being gooo horseman. General
Miles saved himself from being thrown with force
and suffered nothing except the Inconvenience and
annoyance or the accident he soon afterward ap-
psared with the other officials " the House and
took part IL tho e2srcises