The Washington times., 1908-12-30
Washington to Be
Capital Forever

From the Boston Herald
London and Paris are typical national
capitals which are so large and multi
iarious In their life tha! Capitalization
OF political power and interest there Is
only phase Of communal activity and
influence. st. Petersburg. Berlin 10
some extent. Ottawa and Washington
are national capitals that have been
made to order. as it we're. In their
earlier stages. at least, these latter de-
rived their importance from the fact
that governmental power cent cred there.
In theory national capital should be
centrally located geographically, and
thus equally accessible TO residents OF
all sections Of the country. But how
seldom is this the case. either in nation
al or state capital sites!
A national capital, viewed from one
standpoint. should be where the best
intellectual and moral life Of the coun-
Try centers, where legislators and ad-
ministratOrs aIe subjected 70 an en-
yironment that both stimulates thought
and action and informs and rehnes the
mind Viewed from another standpoint,
national capital may well be placed
somewhat apart from those enervating.
demoralizing. cynic-producing aspects of
ancient and vast centers Of population
like London and Paris. Nor is It well
for public officials to b. too near the
great centers Of commerce and industry,
lest they take on the "commerciaI''
point OF view.
However. in the choice Of sites for
national capitals. theory and doctrinaire
wisdom seldom control Washington on
the Potomac Is not the ideal site fer
the American capital. whether viewed
from the standpoint Of geography or
climate. But # will remain tho National
Capital as surely as London will the
British. 1t was not selected because Of
its merits, but as the result OF a COM
promise between Hamilton and Jener-
son, BY which. In return for two Viz
ginia votes for Hamiltons plan OF
Federal assumption Of State debts in
1890 Northern votes were given for a
Southern capital.
BY a somewhat similar compromise
the commonwealth Of Australia has
decided on the town OF Canberra as
the site OF the new federal capital New
South Wales vote rayOrlng federation
was only secured on a second ballot I
J. EOilOwlng the first adverse referendum
Prime Minister Reid, OF the colony,
secured a pledge from the other colonial
prime ministers that II New South I
" dlrS hOltu lDl lGUeIal union the ul-
tlonal capital should be located N the 4
colony he represented and outrJlled-
The pledge was given. IL was taken |
from the power OF any popular body
20 reverse the agreement The second
referendum found New South Wales !
favorable. and now II mas been decided 4
10 locate on "A virgin site, near a town
called CanberTa, situated i.g0J feet above /
the sea level within sight Of Mt kos
ciusltO, and having q river frontage.
Building on this site the common
wealth VIII have an opportunity 10 lay
out a city mot for tomorrow or for /
next year. but for all time" as the /
federal minister OF trade and customs /
said In arguing for the site before par
lament. From the first IL can be laid /
out as aTuStiCally as Washington was
by LEnfant. but It can be developed |
without that temporary but prolonged |
lapse from an ideal which IS a blot on
the American record. Progressive and
far IN advance Of other countries in |
many other respects affecting social 1
" elfare Australia not OHIr can make I
This new city beautiful T.. also verv
attractive from the hyl IT, e., sanitary
and administrative standpo nts.