Evening star., 1949-09-25
Letters to The Star
Alexandrians Finally Did Something
About This Deplorable Situation

Alexandrians Finally Did Something
About This Deplorable Situation
To the Editor of The Star:
You may be interested in the incosed
clipping from the National Intelligencer of
November "a, 1910, which discusses some of
the many evils we suffer from the want
OF territorial government" G.B.G.
From the Alexandria Daily GasetteJ
The National Intelligencer has given us
the. result of the late census in the city of
washington. The number of the inhabitants
is 1920. In 1907 the number was 5652. In
1903 1T was 1852. 1t has been about seven
years in doubling. One cause of the slow
increase OF the city has been the iniquitous
proposition to remove the seat of govern
ment. We presume this question has now
gone to sleep forever Should it increase at
the rate it has increased the three last years,
there will be in it above 100 900 in fifteen
years. Its great increase however must
principally depend on its becoming a more
commercial place than present prospects in
dicate, Georgetown above and Alexandria
below both fast encreasing, have at present
the advantage of it, tho Washington is ex-
tremely well situated for commerce. Men
OF large commercial capital only can give it
vigorous increase in numbers and wealth,
and such prefer the old established channels.
1t is not so near to the sea as Alexandria,
nor so near to the country and the produce
bro't down the Potomac as George Town.
With nearly 10000 souls in the District,
we nave neither territorial government nor
member in the National Legislature From
the want of territorial government we labor
under many and great inconvenience Here
IN Alexandra we have Jail scarcely fit for
the accommodation of swine and quite in
secure for the safe keeping of criminals A
new one cannot be built without a law of
Congress authorisng the Levy Court of this
county to build one: and tho one hours
time is not necessary to be spent in each
house OF Congress for the purpose of passing
1t. Congress cannot, or rather will not, find
time to attend to it. This is but one of the
many evils we suffer from the want of a
territorial government Congress ought i'm
medlately to provide for one-perhaps four
Senators from each county, and the num-
Der OF representatives in proportion to the
number OF inhabitants in each county: the
President of the U. States being the
executive. His being so will allay the jealousy
OF the States, and satisfy the provisions of
the Constitution. which says such territory of
ten miles square shall be under the jurisdic-
ton of Congress.
We ought to have representative in Con-
gress with at least the right of voting. The
inhabitants of the District must exert them
selves, and their wishes may be ACCOMPLISHED
Condemns Funds for Sesqui- celebration
While Day Care Centers Suffer
To the Editor of The Star:
II there were anyway I, as citizen of this
country and resident of this city, could make
this stupid Sesquicentennial complete and
utter failure, by Heaven, I would do it,
The very idea of depriving little children
OF safe, well-trained care while their mothers
work to support them and at the same time
spend $3,000,000 on a celebration which
as far as can see will benefit no one but
the businessmen in this town, is travesty
on the human race. Sesquicentennial, in
deed while mothers and their children
must resort to the relief rolls to keep body
and soul together! On September 20, 1949,
the Senate Appropriations Committee gave
S3.00O000 for the Sesquicentennial and
refused to restore full appropriation fot
our sorely needed Child Day Care Centers.
When this kind of thing can happen, what
IN Heavens name is there. to celebrate?
Some one has mentioned, in your paper
that there is a move on to take the Capital
OF our Nation elsewhere in the country.
I heartily approve of this idea ANY city
that will not get up in arms for its own
children is certainly not worthy of this
very high honor. ELIzIER A. WALKER.