Year: 1867

Most strangers who visit Washington
express surprise at the lack Of public i'm
provelnent which is so manifest outside Of
the Government buildings and nationalr re-
servations. And to all public-spirited peo-
pie resident here, it is indeed q subject Of
regret, TO say the least, that SO little has
been done or is now being done to reno
vate, improve, and beautify the capital Of
u great and powerful nation. In anything
we may now or hereafter say upon this
fruitful topic, We shall not reflect unjustly,
nor with personal censure upon any city
officials or Government functionaries.


The division of authority and power be.
tween Congress and the municipal govern.
ment Of the towns has contributed in no
small degree to foster the do-nothing pol
icy which has been for many years the
real hindrance to the growth, improve
ment and identifying Of our ten miles
square. For instance, the General Gov
ernment have control Of the avenues, and
the local government are to care for the
streets. This system has operated ad-
versely, as is always the case where there
is division Of authority, for what is every
bodys business is nobody's business. 1t
is but Just in this connection that VIC
should say that within the last four or five
years we have marked many importan
improvements which have been made b!
our municipal authorities in the way o
paving the streets and in excavating ant
laying down sewers.


We are not among those who denounc,
Mayor WALLAcu and the boards which ar,
associated with him in the control Of ou
city affairs. We believe that il they havC
not done oil that should have been done
they have nevertheless done what the,
could, always endeavoring to avoid, as ia
as possible, whatever, in the present con
dition Of the country, might have been con
sidered extravagant and lavish expenditur
Of the public money.


But while much commendable improve
ment has been made upon the streets ant
sewers, as stated above, what has the Gen
eral Government done towards improving
the avenues? Comparatively nothing
Take Pennsylvania avenue, for instance
and its condition astonishes all visitor
from abroad, and causes regret and sham
to mantle the cheeks of all residents Of tn,
city. This avenue is broad and finely laiI
out, and il put in order as it can an,
should be. it would be one of the fines
thoroughfares in the world. As it now is
it is disgrace if not nuisance. Itshoult
be newly paved, and Congress should at it
next session appropriate the money to d.
this work at once. Now we have mud ankl,
deep, or else all pedestrians and others ART
submerged in dust. The property-holder
along this street, as things now are, TAX
but little interestin efforts to keep it clean
or to sprinkle it in the dusty and ho
months.


We have always observed that wher
property, public or private, is going t
decay, men say let it 60. Put it in orde
and everybody is ready to do what can b
done TO keep it in proper repair. So, W
trust, it would be in this case-the Avenu
once in good condition, all will feel an IL
terest to keep it SO.


We have extended this article beyon
what we intended at the outset, but tn
subject is far from being exhausted. w
have much more to say in a general wa!
in behalf of public improvement of the
city of Washington, which we shall dc
from time to time.