The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-08-12
WASHINGTON LETTER
tspectal corregpondence.l

message probably VIII recommend &c
congress that the old boundaries of the
District of Columbia be restored
The legal points involved in trans
fer from Virginia to the United States
of that part of the district receded to
Virginia in 1876 are now being in
vestigated. 1t is probable that joint
resolution will be introduced at the
beginning of the next session Of con-
gress directing the attorney general to
report the steps that should be taken
10 secure the restoration of this ter
ritory.
May Restore Old Boundary.
For the information of those inter
ested It might be said that this Vir-
ginia portion Of the original District
Of COLUMBIA comprises some thirty odd
square miles, now Alexandria county.
The constitution having called for a
plot ten miles square, the balance of
the District comprises some sixty odd
square miles. The one-third, now part
Of Virginia, President Taft thinks
ought to come back.
That President Taft was prophetic
In his suggestion the lost third should
be recovered is generally conceded. 1t
is felt that it will not be long before
the government will need it for various
institutions Already 1t has bought back
part of it for the Arlington national
cemetery, Fort Myer and other prof.
ects. And as soon as the beautifying
Of the north side of the Potomac river
is finished eyes will be cast to the
other shore with a view to making 1t
less unsightly.
The Original District.
The act Of congress approved July
16, 1890, provided for location on the
river Potomac between the mouth of
the eastern branch of the Connoc-
colleague. to be determined by three
commissioners to be appointed by the
president, who shall, under the d.
rection Of the president, survey and
by proper metes and bounds define
and limit" the said District This vir-
tually left the selection to President
Washington.
General Washington ignored a pro-
hibition of congress and included Alex
andria in the District. which made
necessary an amendment to the orig
inal act Of location, which congress
subsequently adopted.
The Retrocession.
AS the occupancy by the government
OF the District did not occur until
1900, the territory ceded by Virginia
and Maryland remained until that date
under their respective Jurisdictions.
the citizens voting In the presidential
election In 1900 AS soon as the law
enacted by congress in 1901 brought
them under the exclusive legislation
Of congress they Immediately began to
lament their loss Of political rights and
agitate for retrocession.
This movement eliminated in 1886
By the retrocession OF Alexandria coun-
ty. Va, which was agitated by the
people of the city Of Alexandria, the
country people being satisfied with
things as they were. The attitude of
the Alexandrians was in striking con
trast with that of their ancestors in
1890, when Virginia and the south
seemed willing to make any sacrifice
to obtain the capital for their section.
Eviction Of sparrows.
The semiannuaI clearing of birds
nests from the new District building
has taken place, and half cart load
OF twigs. leaves and horsehairs, woven
together In circular. cuplike contrap-
tons, was removed from the main
entrance to the building and from the
hooks and crevices on its front and
sides and relegated to the scrap heap.
Hundreds Of tiny birds, most OF
them English sparrows, were captured
by the force of cleaners during their
work of tearing down the nests. In
nearly every instance the birds were
feathered and were able to fly away.
Captain Strain. commander OF the
watch, said that in the future the pests
viii be removed every three weeks.
The sparrows. he said, are Industrious
creatures aud will rebuild torn down
colony in twenty-one days.
Fallen Tree Replaced.
During recent storm which swept
over Washington, one OF those semi
tropical tornadoes which are prevalent
here at certain seasons Of the year. a
fine old tree in the capitol grounds
was blown down. its roots washed
free Of soil. and great hole In the
earth showed where it had stood.
Elliott Woods. superintendent of the
capitol. was loath to have this great
tree go. He brought gang of work
men. the tree was lifted by derrick.
It's roots were set back in the original
bed, earth was flied in around them
and firmly pressed. and guy ropes
were adjusted at different angles to
hold Il IN position. The tree seems
to be doing we'll Its leaves have lost
nothing Of freshness, and it appears
to be vigorous.
Hard Luck Follows Crow.
Representative Charles 4. Crow of
Missouri holds all medals for hard LUCK
in congress. Thirteen brothers were
In his family. and all Of them are dead
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