Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-28
ADDRESS OF Mr.. WEST
BEFORE TIE BEACON SOCIETY IN
BOSTON.

Our bits of mosaic in Washington are
buildings, and fountains and statues. and
trees. and all the other accessories of
beautiful city. This is the picture we are
now creating; and the time Is not far dis
tent when Washington, already the pride
of the nation, will still further. challenge
the admiration of the world, and when 1t
will be. in fact as in name. the worthy
capital of the greatest republic the world
has ever known
This was the sentiment voiced by Com
missioner Henry L. West last night in
concluding his address at the annual din
ner of the Beacon Society in Boston. This
society is one of the most influential or
CARNATIONS of sachusetts and the au-
dience before which Mr.. West spoke last
night was a large and distinguished one,
including representative business men,
railroad officials and the various profess
sions. Gov. Curtis Guild of Massachusetts
was among those present. Mr.. West spoke
before the Beacon Society year ago, and
the address which he then delivered led
to this second invitation to appear before
the society.
In his address Mr. West gave an inter
esting exposition of the various changes
through which the government of the
national capital passed until 1t reached
Its present form. Congress wanted a place
where the federal authority would be
supreme. he said, and he told of the vary
ms successes and failures which attended
other forms of government until Con-
sress appointed three Commissioners two
from Owl lille and one an army officer of
the Engineer Corps. and discovered by
experiment that the proper scheme had
finally been devised.
Thus it is that today" Mr.. West con-
tlnued. after an experience of more than
a quarter OF century. the national capt.
tai and, in fact, the entire territory over
which Congress has jurisdiction is still
under the immediate control of three men
who are not elected to their positions and
VINO exercise power that is unique in
the municipal system of the United
States
Appointments by President.
Mr.. West said that the President of the
United States is essentially the pivot upon
which the District OF Columbia rest and
to emphasize this he explained how the
President appoints the three Commission
ers who govern the city. the judges of the
local courts, including two police judges
the justices of the peace, an army Of nota-
ries public, the recorder of deeds the regis
ter OF wills. and even the members OF the
board of charities, which superVseS the
eelemonynary Institutions. Mr.. West also
dwelt at some length on the financial rela-
tons existing between the federal govern
ment and the District of Columbia and
stated that the citizens of the District do
their share toward the development of the
capital.
Very much gratifed am l." said the
speaker in his summing up, IF my expo
sftion has interested you; but | feel still
more repaid for my visit if l have stimu-
lated your concern and pride in the national
capital. For, after all matter how 1t
may be governed, Washington is your cap
ital as well as mine You must want it to
be, as do, a model city-model in the
cleanliness of its government, model in its
wide streets and avenues, model in its care
of the unfortunate. We want it especially
to be model city beautiful"