Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-22

Brown. ". w. Burchell. J. L. Barbour, C.
b. Church. W. ]. Stephenson. ]. Q. Thornp-
son. s. E. N. Wilson. Thomas Sommervfiie.
E V. Tracey, James E. Fitch, NJ F. Nor
rfs and w. s. Thompson
Citfxens' Bill fn the House.
THE bill drawn up and approved by the
citizens committee was introduced in the
House by Mr.. Hemphill January IA, 1889
This bill provided for the purchase of not
exceeding $500 acres of land lying along
the course of the creek and of a width of
not less than 400 feet at any point. The
bill authorized a commission to consist OF
the chief of engineers, the secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution and the engineer
Commissioner of the District of Columbia
to locate and purchase the park, one-haif
of the cost of which was to be charged to
the District
The tenor of the debates in the House had
made it evident to those who were urging
the project that no measure could go
through unless one-half the burden Of cost
was to be met by the District While this
was considered unjust, the citizens COM
mittee deemed it wisest to secure the park
on the best terms possible and leave 1t to
Congress in the future to make amends for
the wrong done the District.
The executive committee of citizens ap-
peared before the House committee on the
District of Columbia and urged the pas
sage of the bill. A most satisfactory report
was made to the House on the measure by
Mr.. Hemphili. This report was Endorsed by
the House committee, which recommended
an appropriation of 81 500 900 for the pur
chase of a park. The members of the cftf-
zens committee at this time were most &C
tive Hearings were had at the Capitol.
congressman were seen at their homes, lit
erature was prepared and circulated. and
the campaign was carried on systematically
along every line.
On the 18th of February the Senate Dis
trict committee approved and substituted
the Hemphill bill for the one 1t had report
ed, but which made no appropriation. An
effort was made by Mr.. Hemphil1 to get
the measure through before adjournment
by attaching II as an amendment to the
geological Park bill. which was under con-
sideration; but once more the bill failed.
Park Bills Again Introduced.
Promptly at the beginning of the Fifty
first Congress. however. the park bills
were again introduced. Bills were also in
troduced in the Senate by Senators ingalls,
and Sherman. Senator Sherman's bill was
similar to the Hemphill bill, except that it
named the klfngie road bridge as the
starting point. and instead of making a
direct appropriation provided for the is
suance of 81 10000 in District bonds to pay
for the park. provision being made that
one-half the sum should be refunded by
the government to the District This bill
was passed by the Senate January IS
1879. When 1t went to the House District
the park was changed to Columbus Me-
mortal Park. in Difference to the Columbus
sentiment that was then so prevalent. and
the whole tract to be acquired was limited
to 2.Wo acres. A direct appropriation in
stead of bonds was provided for in the
sum of Sl.aD.OD, onehalf to be paid by the
District and one-half by the government
Half OF the expense of maintaining the
park was also to be assessed to the Dis
trict.
The bill was debated In the House on
March n 1t was vigorously attacked by
General Spinola on the ground that there
was a great real estate, speculation in it.
Strong speeches were made in favor OF the
bill. also. by many members. The bill went
over without action until April % when
1t again came up and was defeated by a
vote of IS ayes to IS noes The friends Of
the bill were not discouraged. A careful
canvass of the members absent or not yot-
Ing led them to believe that the result
might have been different with fuller
vote. and May 26 the bill was again brought
up on the motion, made by Mr.. Hemphill
at the time Of the former vote, to recon-
slider. 1t was passed at this time by
vote of fW ayes to 81 noes.
Finally Passed by Congress-.
The bill then went to a conference COM
mittee. where the name Rock Creek was
restored. The House amendment providing
for assessing benefits to adjacent property
was retained; the amount Of 81. BOG. 900 was
appropriated, and II was provided that the
commission should be composed of the
chief of engineers. the Engineer Commits
sioner of the District of Columbia and
three citizens. to be nominated by the
President and confirmed by the Senate
This report was agreed to in the House on
September %. and by the Senate on the
following day. and the next day after that
Saturday, September FIT became a law
by receiving the Presidents signature.
The work of the commission was not
completed until April -. 1892. when the
park was purchased. including 1900 acres
In concluding the le gislative narrative, Mr.
Cox says:
Thus this most beautiful Rock Creek
valley was acquired and set apart as a
public park or pleasure ground for the
benefit and enjoyment of the people of the
United States: Rock creek, the banks of
which Joel Barlow selected for his home;
Rock creek. the stream which John
Quincy Adams built and. in the widest
nature, free from toll and care, made a
home; Rock creek. where the lamented
scientist, George Brown GoOde, sought
much-needed rest; Rock creek. which was
the delight in life of John Howard Payne
and on it's banks In death he finally found
his Home. Sweet Home"
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THE PHILIPPINES, VALUE