Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-05
CAPITAL A MODEL CITY
HONEST ADMINISTRATION OF
LAWS ATTRACTS PEOPLE.
Census of Washington Shows Growth
Traced to High Degree of
Government.
nneapolis Journal.

W. W. Jermane. in Minneapolis Journal.
This is the middle year OF the federal
decennial period. and it will witness the
taking Of the census of nearly all of the
important cities of the country, and IN
some of the states, among them Minnesota
Washington has already had its popula-
ton counted, and it is rejoicing because the
count shows a substantial gain over five
years ago. In 1900 the city contained 49,
900 persons. of whom more than 3d.
900 were negroes. The census this
year shows 81. go persons. of whom o.
900 are negroes. a negro gain in five
years of less than 300. This total in
crease of 10 per cent since 1900 is consid-
erably greater than the experts had figured
on. and there Is consequent rejoicing. This
gain continued until 1850 will give the Dis
trict of Columbia 1861 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 in
duStries which are so prominent feature
of other large cities and have an important
bearing upon population. The gain in pop
ulation comes largely from tie rich and
well-to-do le.surey class. which. in increas-
ing numbers, year after year. is coming
here to find a permanent home.
The Literary Center.
Washington is rapidly becoming the lit
erary center of the country. it has long
been the scientific center. The advent of
rich families is also making it a society
center comparing. during the winter
son. with New York and Philadelphia
recen; statistical statement shows
there are more people of trained minds
this city FER 1001 Of population than in
any other place on the continent. All Of
which IS highly auiying to the average
Wasn!ngton!an. and makes him think
L. To,
influence in this part of the world in all
that gees to make lie worth living.
one of the more substantial attractions
which Washington offers 10 those seeking
a home is its form of government, which
is in reality Il benevolent deSpotism."
There are no elections here for any pur-
pose whatsoever. The President is ex-
oftico the mayor of the city, but he dele
gates his authority to three Commissioners,
two of them selected from the representa-
tive business men. and the third officer
of the engineer corps of the regular army.
who becomes. by virtue of his special train
ing. the super ntendent of public works
These Commissioners administer the law
and appoint all the city officials. including
the superintendent of police, and may
move them on a moments notice for cause.
OF the two civilian Commissioners. one is
a republican and one democrat, and the
balance is so perfectly preserved that there
is no politics in the appointments.
Congress is the common council of the
city. but IL delegates the work of looking
into matters of detail to two committees,
one from each house. which whip proposed
District legislation into shape. Congress
determines every year just what is to be
done ir the following year in the way of
public improvements and what general leg
islation the city is to have. and from its
decision there is no appeal.
Capital an Honest City.
There is not city In the country where
money raised by taxation is more intelli-
gently and honestly expended. There is
no graft" in the District of Columbia and
no ward pull for there no ward
boundaries. The perplexing problems of
extravaganza, favoritism and Doodle, which
confront nearly every city of its size,
unknown in Washington The city is an
Illustration of what can be done in munic-
ipal cleanness by taking the control of
nicpal affairs out of the hands of the
men of high ideals and intelligence, I'M
sort.
The Washington plan of government is
spreading. and there are several towns in
Texas where it is being tried with marked
success If the other great centers of pop
ulation in the United States do not adopt
some form of government similar in its
essentials to that of Washington, 1t is con-
fldenty predicted by political economists
that this city will in time become the home
OF the most of the culture, refinement and
Intelligence of the country, and OF all the
other classes of people who want 10 live
in the best possible municipal environment.