Evening star., 1928-06-17
Fifty Years Ago
I'm The Star

On the 9Th of June, 1873. the House
adopted the conference report on the
r.. District government bill
New District and on Monday. june
Government a a. dissentins vote, CON
Cured. President Hayes signed tbs
measure or the morning Of June IL
and IL thus became a law. The Star
during the ensuing week made numer-
Gus comments upon the new organic
act" climaxing with the following In
its issue OF June Is. 1878:
THE great benefits and advantages
resulting TO washington under the op-
Grafton Of the new government law be-
come more apparent as the important
features of the measure are considered
and discussed by our citizens.
1.-THE new relations between the Cen
eral Government and our local affairs,
assumed by the United States under the
provisions Of this act. are productive OF
such important results to our welfare as
al once TO lift Washington from the po-
sition Of much doubt and uncertainty
and place our future destiny upon the
solid foundation Of fixed and permanent
prosperity commensurate with the
growth Of the entire Nation.
Heretofore Washington, as the Capt.
tai Of the Republic, has. like neglected
stepchild. been dependent upon the
temper and caprice OF Congress for any
recognition Of Its Just demands and
been subject TO its arbitrary viii In the
levying Of enormous taxes upon our
property; but now, under the solemn
compact OF the law. the United States
of America is pledged henceforth 10 pay
one-half Of the expenses OF the govern
ment Of the District Of Columbia and,
also. one-half the cost Of all the local
improvements authorized.
"The rate Of taxation agreed upon
and fixed Is satisfactory and Is sub
stantially permanent; at least, It is not
likely 20 be increased. as Congress Is
bound for appropriations IN proportion
by the above conditions, by the abol-
ishment Of all boards Of local officers
and placing the government affairs OF
this large community under the abso-
lutte control Of three United States
Commissioners, by providing for the
payment Of the District Indebtedness,
By requiring the transaction of all Its
financial matters 70 be made through
and under the supervision OF the
United States Treasury-in short, by
the tenor and terms Of the entire act.
Congress has suddenly and substantially
converted the heretofore neglected and
disjoiuted District of Columbia into q
department or bureau Of the Govern
ment OF the United States, with all the
functions Of control and responsibility
for Its future management an absolutely
as over the affairs represented by the
other departments OF the General Gov
eminent. Therefore, by the provisions
Of this new law. washington has at last
become In Its government entirely ma
tionalized. which we have long con-
tended for as the only true position for
the growth and grandeur Of the Ma
tion's Capital.
by the Government Of the United
States thus taking exclusive charge OF
the affairs Of the District Of Columbia,
the destiny and prosperity of WASH
ington Is assured and guaranteed by
the whole power, wealth and credit Of
the Nation. Its future career is now
removed from local control and has be-
come merged into the great government
of the Nation rs one Of its special trusts
confided by the Constitution TO the ex-
elusive Jurisdiction Of Congress. which.
% trustee for the whole people Of the
United States. has finally assumed its
exclusive management In the interest
OF the entire country.
'As soon as our citizens and the
country generally realize the full effect
Of this new law upon Washington inter
ests, we shall undoubtedly witness re-
vival OF business and an investment In
real property here unequaled In our
city's past history. No other city In
America presents such inducements for
safe and permanent investments In
property. and IL Ia q conceded fact that
no other place In the country Is so at
tractive for q residence and home. The
Endorsement Of Washington interests by
their exclusive management and control
by the General Government insures
safety and prosperity, Washington Is
now the recognised Department Of the
Capital'--as much under the exclusive
control OF the United States Govern
ment. which Ia responsible for Its flu
ture credit. care and maintenance, rs
the state. War, Navy and all other de-
partments OF the General Government.
This Ia the true, proper and constitu-
tionai position. arrived at after 10 years
Of experiments. n IL now permanent"
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