The National tribune., 1903-06-04

structures occupied by churches, colleges,
and business corporations, besides a vast
growth of trees, in orderly array along
the streets and avenues, which make a
mighty forest i'll the heart of the Capital.
Then, as they crossed over the Potomac,
ON one of the unchanged bridges, they
would see how the channel has been mar
rowed by improvements which have re-
claimed a wide park land out of the shall
.ows and marshes, and il they came In
through older Georgetown, itself almost as
unchanged as the bridges, they would find,
in place of the rough roads of the civil
war time, graded and asphalted streets
and sidewalks gradually changing from
brick to concrete. shaded almost every
where by some of the $4,000 trees which,
with the well-kept little parks, distinguish
Washington from all other American
cities They would find at once n system
of street railways, with underground cleo
tric trolley motors, covering not only all
of the city of Washington mad George
town, but a great part of the District of
Columbia outside, and running beyond the
borders to BladensburS, Rockville, Cabin
John Bridge in Maryland, and Alexandria,
Arlington and Mount Vernon in Virginia.
They would find that the best way to
see the newer Washington and its sur
roundings is by these car lines, beginning,
which, in a two hours circuit, passes
thousand interesting things Alinost ev-
cry Important National Government build
ing and almost every place of historic in
terest can be directly reached by means
of these railways, and many of the most
attractive private residences, club and
apartment houses, churches and schools,
can be seen from their cars. A trip
through northwestern Washington and on
beyond over the hills, reveals absolutely
new scenes to the man who has not been
here since the civil war. Even the veteran
who 10 years ago was here at the MEN,
orable National Encampment, when an
Ex-President of the United States was
among the eminent men who marched in
review past the President of the United
States, will find much thu is new and
beautiful in the buildings in that quarter,
and if he goes out to Rock Creek Park and
its small companion, Geological Park, he
will be as much surprised and delighted as
il be had not been here since 1865. What
is called Greater Washington, spreading
out in every direction over the hills sur
rounding the old city on every side, except
that of the Potomac, is of comparatively
recent creation. The old soldier, going
out to revisit one of the forts in the circle
of Washington's defenses. will find all the
older natural beauty and in addition much
OF the beauty that man produces. Look
ing at the Capital, citheE from the center
Of the city or from the circumference of
the hills, its grandeur always appeals to
the visitor. Many persons of taste who
have seen all the great capitals of the
world believe that none Of them surpasses
the Capital of the United States. taken
with its surroundings, in present beauty,
and some consider it now the most mag
nificent of all. Certainly it must be ad-
mitted that when all the plans for its de-
veloDment and establishment are carried
out, it will stand unrivaled.
QUADRUPLED SINCE THE WAR.
In the last 40 years Washington has
quadrupled in population and the aces
sions have been largely OF people Of supe-
rior Intelligence and cultivation, represent
ing the best elements in all the States and
Territories. Many rich people have be-
come residents, at least for the Winter
months. The development of the Execu-
tive Departments of the National Govern
ment, with the growth of the Nations
business, and the great increase in the
scientific work carried on by the Nation.
have drawn to Washington many able
men. The peculiar facilities for educa-
tional institutions, multiplying the number
of colleges and schools, have drawn large
numbers of scholars and students. Every
variety Of society is therefore to be found
at its best in Washington. The presence
of the President, the Cabinet, the Su-
preme Court. Congress, the Diplomatic
Corps, the highest officers of the Army
and Navy, and many eminent scientists
and scholars gives it a cosmopolitan char
acter that is most attra ctive, and draws
visitors in increasing numbers from all
over the United States and Canada and
many other countries. The healthful eli
mate, which is also agreeable during the
greater part of the year, the beauty com
fort and convenience of the city, the ex-
ceptional interest of its life, the absence C.
local partisan politics-tecause the elect
i've franchise has been abo,ished-and the
absence of great manufacturing establish
ments, are among the things which make
Washington almost ideal as q residence
city. The good government of the Dis
trict of Columbia, with Its admirable pub
lie school system, police and fire depart
ments, and other municipal features, all
free from the scandalous practices Of
blaekmail and bribery. political favoritism,
and corruption, which stain SO many
American municipalities, may be men
toned as one of the reasons why most peo-
pie like to live in Washington.
NO GOVERNMENT OF ITS OWN
1t is, perhaps, not generally known that
the City of Washington itself has no goT-