The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-31
NATIONS CAPITAL
AS MODEL / I CITY j 7 I
Census of Washington Shows
Growth Traced to High De-
gree of Government.
By w, w, Jernane.

Washington, May 31.-This is the
period, and it will witness the taking
Of the census Of nearly all Of the i'm
portant cities of the country, and in
some of the states, among them Min
nesota. Washington has already had it's
population counted, and it is rejoicing
because the count shows substantial
gn n conse FIVE Ss6s ago. a 1gog b the
more than 10000 were negroes. The
census this year shows $4,000 persons,
of whom $4,000 are negroes, or negro
gain in five years of less than 5000.
This total increase of 16 per. cent since
1900 is considerably greater than the ex-
perts had figured on, and there is eonse.-
quent rejoicing. This gain continued
until 1910 will give the District of Co.
lumbia 100000 inhabitants.
National prosperity in part accounts
for the continued rapid growth Of the
capital city, for there is little or no
manufacturing here, and none of the
great commercial industries which are
so prominent a feature Of other large
cities and have an important bearing
upon population. The gain in popula.
ton comes largely from the rich and
well TODD leisurely class, which, in in
creasing numbers, year after year, IS
Taxes are lower here than in any city
in the United States, and while real es-
tate is high, the cost of keeping it is
small in comparison with the original
cost. Nor are there any of the acute
labor disturbances here which are SO
common to the great commercial and
industrial cities, and the absence Of
city is clean. The burning Of soft coal
is prohibited by law, and the marble
and Gght-colored stone of the public
buildings is almost as clean as it was
when these buildings were first erected,
barring the settlement of dust on the
walls. e
The Literary Center.
Washington is rapidly becoming the
literary center Of the country, as it
has long been the scientific center The
advent of rich families is also making
it society center, comparing, during
the winter. season, with New York and
A recent statistical statement shows
there are more people Of trained minds
| in this city, per 1000 of population
than in any other place on the continent
| All of which is highly gratifying to the
average Washingtonian, and makes him
/ think his home is to become one of the
centers Of real influence in this part
Of the world in all that goes to make
life worth living.
One of the more substantial attrac
lions which Washington offers to those
seeking home is its form Of govern
ment, which is in reality "benevo
lent despotism. y There are no cleo
tions here for any purpose whatsoever
The president is e1-offcio the mayor
Of the city, but he delegates his author
ity to three commissioners, two o:
/ them selected from the representative
business men, and the third an office,
of the engineer corps Of the regula
army, who becomes, by virtue OF M
pnblic works. These commissioners ad
minister the law and appoint all tn.
city officials, including the superintend
emit of police, and may remove them OF
, moments notice, for cause. OF tn
two civilian commissioners, one is