Evening star., 1901-12-14


Part in the History of the Nation. By Rufus
Rockwell Wilson, author Of ..Rambles in Colo
NAL Byways." Two volumes. Illustrated. Phila-
dephia: j. B. Lppincott Company. Washing
ton: VIM. Ballantyne and Sons.
These two volumes present Washington
in a most desirable light to the general
reader who may not have a modern ac-
quaintance with the capital city. 1t
breathes the spirit of optimism which is
animating those who are now striving to
bring nearer to completion the task of
making this the most beautiful of all the
worlds capitals. 1t bespeaks for the fed
eral city the largest degree Of generosity.
the most kindly tolerance with the short
coming of the city, due to past neglect, and
the brightest faith in the result of present
labors.
The work Is not strictly a history Of
Washington, for 1t falls short of an inti-
mate narration of the causes which have
produced the present community. 1t mere
Iy sketches the outlines of the local growth,
the major portion of the space being 0e-
devoted to running commentary upon the
scenes enacted within the District in the
making of national history. The author has
diligently culled a fund of anecdotes and
incidents from the records and biographies
and has strung them together in so enter
d
reader is held from beginning to end of the
book.
In consequence of the failure of the writer
to make original research into the history
Of the early Washington, he has fallen into
several errors, which are, however, COM
mon to most accounts of the founding of
the capital. For instance, he perpetuates
the story Of David Burns insolent reply
to George Washington when the latter was
bargaining for the Burns land for the new
city. This story has been discarded by
late historians and local investigators and
Is not now considered part Of the tradi-
tional background of the capital. Mr.. Wilson,
however, does correct the error popularity
maintained as to the circumstances attend
ing Thomas Jefferson's first inauguration.
He abandons the horse and the picket
fence story and presents the figure of the
great democrat walking from his boarding
house, now known as the Hotel Varnum, to
the Capitol building to be sworn into CT
fee.
The illustrations are handsome reproduc-
tions of photographs, well chosen as to
subject. The authors estimate of the city
as it stands today is thus set forth in his
concluding chapter:
Capital Worthy of the Republic.
'"The birth of a new era found Washing
ton transformed into a capital worthy of
the republic. The federal city, in 1860, had
attained population of nearly seventy
thousand inhabitants; but it's growth had
been slow, and it remained in reality little
better than an overgrown village, far infe-
rior to many state capitals In beauty, size
and comfort. Its houses as a rule. were
built of wood, and plain to the point of ug-
illness. There were no regular grades
throughout the city. and most of it's walks
and avenues were unpaved and Ill kept.
The entire water supply came from
tenn was fatally defective. and the wide
shallow canal which extended from the
Potomac nearly to Capitol Hill was
disease-breeding receptacle for the city's
refuse and filth There were no street rail-
roads; omnibuses were the only means Of
communication between different quarters
of the city, and not a street was lighted eX-
cept Pennsylvania avenue. The fire depart
ment was little more than name, the po-
lice force mere conStabulary, and the
common school system would have brought
shame to any New England town. The Cap
ttol and the present departments were un-
finished or not yet begun; weeds grew in
the parks and commons and stables, wood
en- fences and patches Of bare earth sur
rounded the White House.
1.-THE civil war, however wrought a COM
plete and gratifying change in the hitherto
unfortunate city. No longer was it regard
ed as sorry burlesque on the ambitious
dreams of its founders, but as the heart Of
nation engaged in a giants struggle for
existence. Its population nearly doubled In
a single decade, adding an active and pro-
gressiye force to the life Of the city, and
Win lne return OF peace a movement was
set on foot by a few liberal citizens to res
cue it from the ancient ruts Of indifference
and sloth. Early in 1871 Congress abolished
the old and established a new form Of gov
ernment for the District. The act effecting
this change provided for territorial form
of government. with governor, legislature
and delegate to Congress. A board of pub
lie works was also created, with Alexander
r. Shepherd as chairman. This remarka-
BILE man. who soon succeeded to the govern
orship, proved equal in every way to the
complex and difficult task before him. A
native OF Washington and of humble pa
remage, he had early become prosperous
master plumber, and later a large and sue
cesSful operator in real estate. He knew
every inch Of Washington, and was an ch-
thusiastfc believer in the future which
wanted upon the adequate development OF
It's natural advantages He was moreover
q man OF indomitable perseverance, and Of
more than ordinary executive ability, and
ne thus brought to the work In hand many
OF the rarest qualifications Of success.
Governor Shepherd's Great Work.
Governor Shepherd, in carrying out one
OF the most comprehensive schemes of mu-
nicipal Improvement ever conceived. fol-
lowed the professional advice of Alexander
B. Mullet. Attention was first given to the
construction of a proper sewerage system
for the city. Portions Of the city were be-
low high water mark, and Tiber creek
city, and which at that time flowed into
the canal near Capitol Hill, was wont in
rainy seasons to become an unruly stream.
The canal was arched over with brick and
converted into sewer by the engineers,
who at the same time detected the Tiber
from Its course and into the Eastern branch
or the Potomac. while its former bed and
three of its branches We're &rched over with
brick and made the main sewers Of the sys-
tenn Careful provision was also made for
the needs Of Georgetown and the West
End. so that by the end Of 1875 there were
123 miles Of this underground work in op-
Grafton. and Washingtoh's sewerage sys-
tenn had been transformed from the worst
to the best in the country.
Side by side with this transformation
went other improvements of equal scope
and importance. An aqueduct had been built
some years before from the falls Of the Po-
tomac, fourteen miles above'the city, bring
ing generous and unfailing supply OF pure
water to reservoir two miles west OF
this reservoir, hitherto Connected only with
the public buildings. and at the end of three
years 133 miles OF mains and pipes were In
operation. FzT1E
The Introduction Of gas mains was car
rted forward by private enternrise IN the