Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-02-17
MONDAY EVENING, FEB. II, 1902.

WE GAVE GU cii""J N
sas ~ one of our oldest citizens as to
what Alexandria suffered and Win
what neglect, and even contempt she
was treated by Congress. 1t is now 10
ordor IN recall the benefits she received
from Virginia after her retrocesslon.
First. three railroads, the Orange ana
Alexandria, the Loudoun and Hamp-
shire, and the Manassas Gap were
begun and the State paid, in one case
oertsioly three. 6f.hs, and ifin that case
only, two-6ftbs Of the cost Of tne
others. What trade should We get II
we had no railroads. Even no"
when. through the results OF the war
OF 1875, we have ceased to Dc Tue
terminus of any, we could not DO WIN
ont them. Business improved greatly
40 that instead Of two banks, we mao
four and e savings bank, and all oio
well. The largest steam flour MILL
then in the United States was built
and turned out 800 barrels OF tour
day, and the locomotive works. WHICH,
for time, did a good business, en-
ployed many men. The former was
closed because the necessary quantity
of wheat to run 1t to Its full capacity
could not be had, our railroads being
not yet finished, and the latter, we
think, for want of sufficient capital.
Virginia, with remarkable generosity,
bought three-fftns of our then worth
less canal stock and when, through the
intriRues Of our enemies, the United
States called for stock for the $500, 600
which helped to built the aqueduct,
sold it back to US for a trife. Thus
she relieved us OF the largest part OF
our old debt. We got our foe post
Office bulldog because we had rep
resentstion 10 Congress and IT We get
a new and better one, IL will be for the
same reason. II we go into the Dis
t,ict we shall probably lose our custom
house and possibly have but branch
postofice. Our fine market house and
city hall is also indirectly due to our
being in Virginia; 10 the District We
should have no use for q city ball.
What can we gain by retrocession
What have Georgetown and South
Washington gained by being in the Dis
1 let Of Columbia The proximity OF the
former to Washington hes, Of course,
helped somewhat, but whatever gain
1t has made Is due to that proximity;
had it been retroceded TO Maryland,
would it havs gained much more. Pat
rick 6enry wisely said that he had no
way OF judging of the future but by the
pat; nor have we. There is, even now.
a project on foot to make another new
forest" by turning most Of south
Washington into a great park, for the
deIectation of the residents OF the more
favored sections OF the city and thus
getting rid of the poorer class OF people
who live there. Perhaps they might
come to Alexandria, II we were taken
iLto the District OF Columbia, for il the
project is not carried out now (imperls!-
ism has not yet O sufficient hold on
power to 60 that far), the day may
come when the emperor will want a
new forest" to hunt 10 with his court
and be will get it. When We were In
the District, we got neglect and con-
tempt. We should get more now. We
should get three men we perhaps never
heard OF before to rule US, appoint our
officers, except such as the President
lin the choice of whom we should have
no say might name; teachers from New
England perhaps, or from California,
or Dakota, elected by Washington
school board with colored citizens on it;
negro fremeu, negro policemen, such
taxes as a Congress, In which we
should be unrepresented, might choose
to impose upon US; aud such improve.
ments as the commissioners and it
might choose to make us pay for;
and probably as we should then be
part OF the negro paradise, large &C.
cession of negroes to our population.
II 8 proposition should be made to en-
trust to our three best qualified citi.
zsns, good 6nanciers, public spirited
men; well known to every body, all the
powers of legislsiing for, and govern
Ing Alexandria, how many would vote
for itf Yet it would be far better
arrangement than to place ourselves
under three strangers, one of them O
soldier, of whom We know nothing
Those who have axes to grind, and
those who are silly enough to chase az
imaginary rainbow to get the pot o
gold ct its feet, may favor it; the PEG
pie OF Alexandria will not.
-r==.s---S-sc==
Mr.. J. K. CATION, delegate to thu
legislature from this city and county
las, with much care, prepared bill
which he will introduce In that body II
reference to pensions for ConfederstI
soldiers and their widows. The pres
ent pension law has been found to bt
defective in many respects; lie open Il
fraud and has been disappointment To
its trainers. Mr.. Oston's plan makes
radical changes in this law all OF which,
however, he thinks will rebound to