Evening Star Newspaper, November 26, 1881, Page 2

Py oyna aS tee wank See ee THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, NOVE 6, 1881—DOUBLE SHEET. Khe Work of the Year—Explan: and Recommendations ‘The District Comn ioners this afternoon ‘Welted upow President Arthur and subcaltted the nnual report of their operations: "2 OF THE COMMISSION ERS Tue District oF CoLeMpta, s ovember 26, 1531. The Pres -sirlen The Commissioners have the honor to submit | their fourth annual report. lumbia from all sourees for the year ending | Oth. 1881, were as follow: u's 1, 180, including, as... x 202,923 45 for gener: | Weter rents and ta ‘Trust tunis. Revenis to various priations .. fi 171,417 32 20,000 00 ypropriation by Congr south of Capit. Spectil a Tht The expenditures for the year ending June Both, 1851. under th nus heads for which estimates ar nired te be made an- | . an . ment 34 Work front Cleanin, Pertualt D ment neraiand taiseett es ond contin- i | " | ; i streets ind avenues, v3, Tepalrs to pumps, condemnation of alleys, rent of District offices, print- ailvertising, &... Rater department. . - $140,738 74 Prust tunds..... ----.. 29,071 68 Filling nds South of the Capitol. 19,887 40 — 189,697 77} Balance on hand July Ist, including : trust and water funds. MOtAB v.522<225 Bolance on hand Jnly ist, 1881, as above stated 15 For general expenses. For weter func For trust funds Total balane: taxes are id balances 1 other circym- but wnien the ed to remit or . for | vhieh at tax ASSH: SWENTS. The numerous comp qualities in the last assessment of eal estate, made in 1878, and the great changes | im values since that period, warrant the Com- ment of | some see ¥ not be marked, in alue of and has greatly ad- general a material improveinent nection it is hoped that some more method taxatic n that now venue measure, expe- trated. Its tende esident eapital in able securities, and to give the control | lis of the local money market to now fists. | muld be ow jot be either | al report made to s ! titigation.nor ed States, amount- ce ‘There were on 10th October outstanding in the ands of third parties, about lies sued by the late beard of pub- nd the amount of uncollected as- ppticable to their redemption, was | vowing a deficiency of about deficiency is the difference be- | nent, and the amount th June, the holders of these act to cover this deticiency, do not bear interest, no adequate settlement and ad- amissioners, therefore, rene’ uetigt stained in their special re- port of ith February on this subject, that the | leemed S$ per cent certificates, and all | 2 the hands of third | 5 bonds. or some other | respectfully refer to the | ¢ in said report for this | wore detailed informa- | i other subjects con- of assessments, refer- | port. het id revision. | ut. ed States, ex oficio | ing fund, re- | A debt of the District of | on Ist October last, at $21,896,450, | which shows a reduction, since Ist July. 1878, | under the operation of the sinking fund.of $210, | 100, notwithstandi additional issue, under , £ £719,500 of 3.65 bonds, | 0 ting debt of the District. There has also been, since that date, a reductionin the Snnual interest charge of $55.407 77, and the amount of £70,600 of 3.65 bonds, representing the Washinston seivool fund, has been ¢ d yed.as directed by the “propr: wet of $d Mareh, S81. With a view to the unitication of the District @ebi, as suzzested in our last annual report. we Tecommend that the Treasurer of the United Btaies be authorized to redeem, as speedily as may be ‘ieable and advantageous, by the all other outstand- led tax-liens now ded in dacue aud sale of 3.65 bonds, tax bonds of the District. Sueh a consolidation sat the present market rates of its bonds, would met, it is believed, very materially increase the seggregate of the bonded debt of the District, | for other indispensable works with which they tings iy be | Tepresented at its capital than els | look to the eapital for the highest types of the | pended report of the bi | tution has never been ina condition of equal ints which have been | ! ions of | ¢ | pleted, and will be ready fer_occupai | mits have been issued during the year for build- while it would probably resnit in a considerable reluction of thelarge annual appropriation now required for the uses of the sinkiag fund. ‘This appropriation, inade to meet the require- ments of a debt, which, numbers and resources considered, is unparalleled in any other eivilized community, and for which the tax-paying citi- zeus of the District are not responsible, now rbs more than one-third of the entire Teve- | | | nue ¢ Distriet, ineluding the federal contri- bution of 50 per cent; and it leaves the Com- missi without adequate means for th Proper support of education, for the Improve- ment and extension of streets and avenues, and | are charzed. deficiency. Congress alone can supply the PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Under authority of the 4th section of act of | 3d March, 1881, making appropriations for the | government of the District, the parcels of land | therein described have been sold by the chief of | engineers, Unitgd States army, and the proceeds of the sale, amounting to the sum of $7,452, have been: deposited in the Treasury for the erection of @ high school building in Washing- on Under autho y of the act of 3d March, 1879, | offered reached a fair market price, vi The property named in sections referred to was offered for sale as directed, except tbe fish wharf in Georgetown. The Commissioners thought it best to hold this property, with the hope of commanding a better price. A fair val- uation limit was placed on all the property authorized to be sold. Only two pieces of that Lot 3. in square 382, and a >ertain parce! of land in the square south of square 131, belonging to the United States. The amount received for the roperty In square 181 has been placed to the redit of the District of Columbia for the pur- poses named in the act. ‘The purchaser of the property In square 382 has not yet complied witi the terms of sale ; alleging as a reason for his non-compliance that there was no authority given in the act of Con- gress to the Commissioners to convey the said property. The balance of the property was_withdrawn for the reason stated, and will be offered again when a better market can be obtained. POLICE DEPARTMENT. The major and superintendent of police re- Ports the operations of the force under his charge, and renews his recommendations for an increase of the same. The extraordinary extent of the granting to the riect_of Columbia for school 109, known as Holmead’s propriations mad | . the bodies inte ori valuable proper able for the uses to which it has been | ted, whenever the Commissioners shall be | ed to dispose of the same. | four new school houses mentioned in our | I report as in course of erectien, have completed (except two rooms in one of | the county building: regate cost, not of $59,552.24. ated in the second school district | ve rooms each, with an agerezate a for ti odation of about 1,500 pu- pils, are models of convenience, comfort and | the most approved school architecture. One of them is for colored pupils. The two in the county are plain but convenient and substantial | and wiil accommodate about 400 8, The five additional houses, including the high | school, for in the appropriation for | rrent fiscal year, are pro: factorily, and will no doubt all be ready | for use at the beginning of the ne thus adding, since 1 including a spacious and comimodious edi- fice for a boys school, to the accommoda- tions of the puolic schools of the District of Co- lum nore are needed. dence of pr t the capital is a subject for Tatulation, itis to be re retted that thus | seems to have been regarded by Congress | $a matter of merely local concern, and not a: subject, as it really is, of the hi national importance. While many millions have been ished by the federal levislature to foster edu- ‘tates and territories, the burden | of this high duty and responsibility tional capital has been thrown upon the s and w of this District. Is it unreasonable to ask and expect that the capital of the Union shall re- ceive from Conzress equal consideration with the states and territories of the Uni nd that its common schools, under federal re and nurture, shall be made convenient steps to the vestibule and hails of a great national univer- This was the wise and patriotic counsel ashington, and its value and obligation | have already been acknowle “d_ by the estub- lishment of a National Bureau of Education. | The wisdom. culture, and worth of the Union abi apposed to be more fully vhere; and the people of the Union,therefore, will naturally | institutions, and the most perfect methods of Nation ‘velopment and progres Tt is not possibie that the local resources of the District of Columbia can ever meet this popular demand; hor ouzht it to be expected, For detailed rmation in regard to the public sel is reference is made to the ap- rd of school trustees. YLUM. khouse, which is a INGTON The south wing of the w part of the asylum, has b the total cost of the building . how confined in | will be removed to this wing, |, heretofore the subject of just com f keeping offenders against the law in | act with the honest poor, will be abated. | Many other important improvements, as reported | by the commissioner and intendant of the asy- lum, haye been accomplished during the past r: and it is believed that this valuable insti- ney and usefulness as at present. s and improve careful attention to the intelligent ai practical suggestions of the intendant on this hject. He azain recommends the purchase of | afarm for the use of the asylum, and for the more profitable utilization of its unskilled labor- in Which the Commissioners heartily concur. | INDUSTRIAL HOME SCHOOL. The new building. for the erection ‘of which provision was made in the District appropriation Dill for the current fiscal year, is nearly com- y_ before the Ist of January. During the past year, al other minor improvements. including’ a cons yatory, have b |. The new building will about thirty addi- | plan of administration milar institutions. The eco- | of this home for destitute | lected children and youth of both se: it nomical managem and ne; ‘y small cost, to dispense spread benetits to the helpless prtunate, as well as to the public, who indirectly share the beneicent results of their labors. CHARITIES. We azain recommend the establishment of a Voard of charities, to whose supervision the management of all charitable. reformatory, and penal institutions, supported in whole or in bart by th i expenditures of public money for the relief of | the poor. may be committed. The reasons for this recommendation are last annual report, to which attention is invi- ted. Such boards exist in many of the states | and cities. and have, as we are informed, been attended by favorabie resuits. INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. The Inspector of Buildings reports that per- st adequate resources of the people | & | nizing the nece: District of Columbia, as well as all | ® ven at larze in our ji territory embraced in the police jurisdiction amounting to over seventy-two square miles, embracing the cities of W: on and George- town and all of the county of Washington, | makes the duty to be performed by the very all number of men exceedingly arduous, and citizens. The major’s spies! for an increase of men is Just and well founded, and is strongly recommended to the attention of Congress. The thorough discipline and effectiveness of the entire police department is worthy of all commendation. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire commissioners report upon the con- dition and needs of the department and forward the reports of its subordinate officers for the year. The high character of the fire department for discipline, efficiency, and untiring zeal which has characterized it heretofore is fully maintained. The small amount of loss by fire, and the low rate of insurance upon property in the District, furnishes abundant evidence of the department’s faithfulness in the discharge of duty. An ad- ditional company in the northeastern section of the city, as recommended by the fire commis- sioners, is much needed. and the favorable tion of Congress is respectfully invited. HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The report of the health officer is very thor- ough and complete, giving in minute detail the working of this most important branch of the public service. The statistics and tables afford reliable evidence of the healthfulness of the District, and its freedom from epidemic diseases during the year. The intelligent manner in which this depart- has been managed gives very general sat- isfaction, and a liberal feeling on the part of Congress will make it yet more efficient. The tions of the health officer should receive ful and thoughtful attention. WATER DEPARTM The report of the water registrar shows that the number of persons using the Potomac water, for domesticand miscellaneous purposes on the Oth of June, 1880, was 18,313. Of this number 64 have been connected during the year. The receipts of the department, independent of the tax for laying water main: 113,338.80. The expenditures for all p except for interest and sinking fund, were 5,614.97. The amount due for interest fund for the ensuing year is to arrears due to the sinking ft jount paid during the 4 st and sinking fund was The debt of the water department, t whieh was A er cent.. and cannot be ity (October Ist, 1901. and July For this unfavorable condition of the d the water department, there appears to be no immediate reme Under a late decision of e District court, the fiscal year of the water department begins on the Ist of Januai ( « sioners are of the opinion made by law to conform to the usa: 75.7 miles. Of thisti © 12.6 and 4 inch mains were | United s ineh id by the including the 36 iby the corporation of strict of Columbia. strict, forthe ser- hydrantsand 464 wells. The is constantly analyzed. hen found to be impure the wells are con- ned and the pumps ved. Wile recog. in many parts of ns have not yet fact that for the the city where the water m been extended, and aiso the | poor who cannot afford the luxury of ice, the ble than that which flows frc . the Commission extend the system unnecegsarily, on account of. the danger to the public heaith which is liable to result from the contamination of the water by sewae or by surface drainace. The water registrar earnestly recommends that immediate steps be taken to increase the water supply. In common with the greater aumnber of American suffering from a lac - point where some decided legislation is ary. The difficulty can be reached only increasing the supply or by reculating and ducing the consumption by the use of meters. Tue sentiment in Congress has heretofore apy rently been strongly in favor of mcreasing the supply, and a report bythe District committee of the Senate was made during the last session of ress, recommending the extension of the conduit and the completion of the dam at the Great Falls. ‘The conclusion of the Senate committee (see Report Ni 46th Congress, 2d session), is stated by them in the following lanzuasr “The government of the United Stites under- took this yreat work of bringing ‘to the cities of Washington and Georgetown an unfalling and abundant supply of som and wholesome water.’ tits owa expense, constructed the wor X ‘pal mains unplete the put itin condition for the goverament and | people to reap the fall benefit of this gre: tonal expenditures must be made. B no divided ownership, interest or it that the government should have the soluts ownership and control of ‘etrs and principal mains, work, elieving smpleting the dam, ex. nying: con tall 2 ‘hat the exp tending the conduit mains be paid by ing improvements of the estimated value of $1.51.970, which embraces the sum of $1,857,400 new brick buildings whose character and Value favorably compare with those of like structures erected during any preceding year. ‘The revenue to the District from fees for these permits was $8,237. ‘The inspector includes in his report a state- ment of the damages to property in the city by the storm of June 27, 1881, which amounted in the aggregate to $36.940, and accompanies the same with a map on which the course and ex- | tent of the storm are indicated. He also gives much interesting data in connection with the | ion of new school buildings, and the con- dition and needs of other public structures. COLLECTOR OF TAXES. The collector of taxes reports the collections during the year, and submits a detailed state- ment of his accounts. He again refers to the necessity for additional clerical force in his office to secure a satisfactory discharge of the duties devolving upon it. ASSESSOR. ‘The assessor reports the transactions of his uring the year, including statements of pts from taxes, &c., and the value of taxa- ble real and personal property in the District. In connection with the subject of personal property are rapidly diminishing in consequence of investments being made in exempt securi- ties, and asks attention to recommendations on the subject contained in his previous annual repe He aiso recommends the employment of additional facilities for increasing the revenue from licenses. ATTORNEY. The attorney makes an extended report of business of his office for the year, and trans- mits glist of judyments against the District,for which provision should be made. SALE OF PROPERTY. the fiseal year ending June 30, 1882, the Com- missioners were authorized to sell to the highest, bidder at public auction, certain property be- longing to the United States and District of Col- umbia, situated in the cities of Washn tar eee bem, ad Senlz the to the purchase of a lot in wh, and the erection of an , house t! and the two station houses in authorities of the ¢ Such pipe as may be necessary bate the water to the people, and to ereet suc ns as will supply the neéess!ties of persons to have water brought tnto thelr houses.” The plan approved by the committee will un- doubtedly afford a sufficient supply, and will de- liver the greatest quantity of water at the high- eat practicable level. The Commissioners, how- ever, are of the opinion that this increase ofsup- ply should be accompanied by a corresponding increase in reservoir capacity in order that the water may be delivered in a reasonable condi- tion ofpurity for domestic use. .As full’ infor- mation on all subjects connected with this ques- tion been furnished to Congress heretofore, it is not necessary to enter into any detailed discussion of the question. In this connection, and as illustrating ot methods than those heretofore proposed, oe of the Rock creek valley has been made by Lieut. Hoxie, assistant to the Engineer Commis- sioner, with reference to its availability as a reseryoir and general park. While the scheme proposed is in every way practicable, yet it would prove more expensyie than that hereto- fore recommended, by reason of the large ex- pense of land condemnation and the incidental cost of proper roadways, bridges and collectors, The board is therefore of the opinion that it should not be allowed to interfere with the im- mediate realization of the plans heretofore pro- | posed, and which have received the approval of to appended, of | t# he states that the returns from int:ngible | the committee of the Senate. PARKING COMMISSION. The parking commission report that they have | planted during the year 2,134 trees upon the streets in addition to 586 which have been re- planted to fill vacancies caused by storms, the rigorous weather of the last winter, accidents, and malicious injuries. They have thus increased, the length of the streets which will ultimately be lined with handsome shade trees by about five miles. As the trees become larger more expense is required for Caylee care, but the results already obtained vindicate the methods adopted by the comm! oe and the pone os conulay: the present annual expendi- pure. SURVEYORS OFFICE. The surveyor calls attention to the i provision for his office, and asks that it be estab- ‘one would seem to be nation of loes not afford the protection demanded by the | this office should be so fixedas to secure and GARFIELDIANA, retain the services of a competent man. seni ne PAVEMENTS. The condition of the street pavements on the | MEMORIAL MEETING OF THE LITER- first of July last was as follows: ARY SOCIETY. Concrete, including coal tar and asphalt, 44.93 4 miles; stone block, 16.18 miles; rough stone and cobble, 17.7 miles; mere 745 nae gravel, INTERESTING PAPERS AND PRO- $2.25 miles; wood, 16.7 miles; unimproved, 9 eapnick. + The pomsneeioners have Souanved the paney: ee eretofore adopted by them, and approved by Congress, of seplacing the wooden pavements | Garfield im Literature and Science. by asphalt or stone, and during the past year SS have renewed 5.4 miles, On the Ist of July, The meeting of the Literary Society, on Sat- urday evening, at Dr. Gallandet’s residence, on | Kendall Green, was quite fully attended by the | menibers and by a considerable number of in- vited guests, among whom were the Chief Jus- tice and Mrs. Waite, ex-Secretary and Mrs. Win- dom, Senator and Mrs. Edmunds, Senator Mor- rill, Mrs. Admiral Dahlgren, the Treasurer of the United States and Mrs. Gilfillan, President Welling, of Columbian University, and Mr. J. Stanley Brown. There was no profusion of flowers in the dec- oration of the house, but in their stead the rooms were heavily draped with hanging moss, peculiar to the south, which, together with ivy and magnolia leaves for a wreath around the ex- | hibited portrait of Gen. Garfleld, was sent from Savannah “as an offering from a southern fam- ily who thoroughly appreciated the virtues of | President Gartield.”. The somber effect of the 1878, there were 34 miles of wooden pavement in the city, allin a more or less decayed and dangerous condition. At the close of the fiscal year this will have been reduced to abont ten miles, containing approximately 250,000 square yards; it will therefore require two years more to effect the renovation of these impassable streets and avenues. The full details of the work performed and to be done will be found in. the report of Lieut. Greene, assistant to the Engineer Commis- sioner. The operations of the year have been impeded and delayed by the combination of parties inter- ested in the importation of crude asphalt. The Commissioners are of the opinion that no city can afford to place itself in the power of any corporation or combination of men, by laying upon its streets pavements of which the mate- rials are not to be bought in the open market. They have therefore taken such steps as are necessary to determine the facts in relation to the importation of asphalts by advertising tor 1.500 tons of crude asphalt. It this cannot be { | purehased freely in open market. it is their | hanging moss wasthouzht to be especially ap- intention to abandon the use of asphaltic paye- | propriate to the occasion. meats. The literary exercises of the evening were of | SIDEWALKS. As some complaint has been made in regard to the condition of the sidewalks of the city it is proper to state that in the absence of specific law, the Commissioners have been at a loss as towhat policy to pursue. Thereare now about 260 miles of sidewalks which, under the municipal ordinance of 1853, would be kept in repair by the owners of adjoining property. The board is advised by the attorney that the ordinance can- not be enforced. The most of the pavement is of brick, and one-tenth in bad condition. To assume the entire expense of the footwalks of | the city would involve an expenditure larger | than can, at present, be borne by the general | s avery interesting character, and were wholly devoted to the memory of. the late president of the society, Gen. Garfield. Dr. Gall vice president, made a short opening in which he gave a sketch of Gen connection with the Society from the th he was announced as a niember at Mrs. gren’s, on the 19th of February, 1873. Gen. fleld’s’ presidency dates from December, 1879. Dr. Gallaudet announced, the € purpose of the meeting in the follwing la ge: “It will be for others to tell of his (Gen. Gar- field's) work asa teacher, to recount his deeds in arms, to describe his career asa legislator, and torecord the events of his brief term as Chief Magistrate of the nation. It is our priy- | i ileze to fill. a paze in lus history which m fund, especially in’ view of the larze areas of Sen ranr esery st rotten wood and rough stones in the heart of the | S80W him to have been a man of letter fe dent of books as well as of men—a promoter of | the fine arts as well as the arts of war and of government.” Garficld Among Books. The principal paper of the evenins was by Mr. Spofford, the Librarian of Congress, in which General Garfield's methods of reading, study, composition and delivery were analyzed and de- city, which are yet to be removed. | There arenow on file in the Commissioners’ | office 726 petitions for the, improvement of various streets and avenues, covering nearly all of the cities of Washington and Georgetown. It is found on examination that the cost of the improvements so petitioned tor, excladinz the unsettled portions east of Lincoln park, south of N street south, and betweea the White lot be ae aso. | Scribed in a most diser eloquent and the Observatory grounds, will be $2,582,- | Seribed seams 562.65. It is apparent at once that therevenues | manner. After a brief py Spotford of the District are not sufficient to complete the Re en Rp A . : work for many years. All these improvements | ,,.-Amons the men whom I have kuown whose | haye, however, been estimated and scheduled ui seeps Garfield was one of the most extensive readers. Not that he absolutely traveled through more books than some others, but ie used a multi- tude of authors by way of hints, suggestions, or authorities. It was the habit of his mind, ap- parently very early formed, to generalise, to seek for great leading principles, and to push | his investigations of a subject uatil he had cov- ered all the ground that time permitted, before putting his own ideas into form. To this end | he read rapidiy, sei ith quick intuition the portions of a book which had anything to his purpose, and_ throw i 1d for the information of Congress. STEAM RAILWAYS. In obedience to the resolution of Congress, the Commissioners haye caused the subject of the steam railway lines within thecity to be thor- oughly examined, and detailed plans and esti- mates to be prepared of the cost of removing the railways from the surface of the streets: having in view a final settlement of the whole subject, which will at once provide for the 8 of local and through tra: e forever all cause of cowplaint arisi from the occupation and obstruction gr of the public highways. The details re aie of the plan proposed “will be found in the report of Lieut. Hoxie, assistant to the Engineer Commissioner, The whole matter will be the subject of a special report to Con- gress. often of oppo: and suavit yanner mace him a general never cha i] stance in laying out the materials foi work he had to do. He made no mystery of what he ealed nothing of his purposes oi freely npon his friends for sure ad his fiunily, s taries, and librs to look up author if he found tne time, he looked them wp him {| self. When he had’ examined the fle! | oughly as he was able, he organized h inhis own mind, and, if the speech wa: in Congres | of its Jeadins outlines. le: well as the diction, tothe THE RIVER FRONT. In previous reports the Commissioners have repeatedly asked the attention of Congress to the condition of the river front of the city. In the annual report of 1879, their views as to the proper method of conducting the reclama- tion of the marshes were given at lene would appear that the . Lhe details of the proposed work have carefully studied, the conclusions ved at can be nted without delay when called for by Congress. TELEGRAPH LINES. In the last annual report the Commissioners called attention to the obstructions cau the streets by the large number of unsightly telegraph poles; they also submitted data show- ing the large extent of underground wires now | the clear in European cities and the perfect feasibility | be: system; and they ask that the rights and | path duties of the telegraph companies in this re- | the spect should be defiaed by law. No legal action been taken in the matter. but the Commissioners have taken the responsibility of refusing to grant permits to new companies to erect poles in the more important streets of the city, and have granted these companies the op- tion of laying their wires underground. Under this, the Mutual Union Telegraph Company has laid its wires in pipes underground on New York avenue, from 12th to 15th street, aud on Ist street and New Jersey avenue from I street to the Capitol, the total length of the two under- ground lines being about one mile. ‘The oppo- sition to further extension of telezrapii lines on poles which has lately developed in various cigies has caused the production of a number of pMteated systems for carrying wires under- ground. The Commissioners do not feel obliged to enter Into the question of the merits of these various patents as against the system long in use in Europe; but they have no doubt of the perfect feasibility of carrying the wires under- ground, They therefore renew their recom- mendation that a law be passed compelling the removal of all telegraph poles in tie city within @ reasonable time. ion. He sometimes: finest utterances truck out in the white heat of debate. ad a ine love of discussion, and the ellect was such as to give him «in extemporancous discourse. heard him speak, reeall thevivid ance, the seli f his matter, he occasional rare adyant: You, who h: force of his utte his subject with the bearing of a mas- ter. His audiences, though composed, as 1e- ards most of his public utterances, of the most in Amer- (a body of lawy rators and politicians), were often held spellbound to the close. No man who has spoken in that forum during the last quarter of a cel ded_ better | in holding that pro: cilling and often | i ous organ, known as “the ear of the | Pilar der ee a ea ory of Garfield’s mind was a contin- Ss growth, from ude beginnings watil meone of the best equipped met His early culture wa: ha tixed education, he had many obstacles to overcome. But he mastered them all, a student of books true and highest uses. Lincoln, so was it true of him: books that came within iis with the divine hun from dictionaries d lopedias, he would make notes of all the words and allusions which he did not comprehend in the beoks he read, and look them up as soon as opportunity could be found. His early experience us a teacher helped Ifim, as it has helped many others. both to acquire and to arrange clearly his knowledge fog immediate use. He wrote copou: periods of his life. His early style, be acquired that refined taste which comes from life. when he began wi a SURVEYS. The surveys of the District with reference to the extension of streets and avenues, have been continued during the year. The triangulation has been completed and the topography carried oyer an area of it square niles. area remaining adjaccut to the city, and for which | familiarity with the classic mo espee- inaps are now urgently needed, embraces about | ially from the Greek, was somewhat crude and thirty-five square miles. deciamatory. In fact, he never quite got over acertain exuberance and effusion which came from his large, free, gushing — nature and ardent temperament. He strove to check The object of the survey is to obtain accurate maps of a scale sufficiently large to make proper plans for the extension of streets and avenues in the rapidly growing, portions of the county, | this tendency, and In sober composition just north of the city. ‘The streets hitherto laid | he succeeded weil in doing sv. He was con- out in that section do not conform to each other orto the general plan of the city, and an altera- tion in their lines will be demanded as soon as they are thickly built upon. It is very important that this error should be avoided in streets to be laid out hereafter. scious of the defects which spoil most of our public speaking’ for any permanent effect or place in literature. But he was conscious. tuo, of the possession of great faculties for impres- sing men, and he passionately loved the power and the opportunities of the public orator. Given a theme of patriotic interest, and a great sympathetic audience, and he delighted in the exercise of his gift of speech, as a strong man to run a race, There he would let out the whole volume of that sonorous voice, whose tones swayed and stirred the audience like the sound of a trumpet, while the sledge-hammer blows of his powerful left arm (almost his only gesture) enforced his utterances. The upturned sea of faces before him gazed with intent look, almost as absorbed as he, while the fervid orator, with head thrown far back,—a head like that of the Olympian Jove--drove home the strong points of his argument. Then would come, ever and anon, a volley of applause, and when he closed, the ringing shouts and cheers broke forth, for the m titude idolized Garfield. a * It will readily be gathered by those who know the exacting nature of public station at Wash- ington, that Garfleld had little time for discur- sive reading. Yet he was never without a SEWERS. The New York avenue intercepting sewer has been completed, and performs its work satis- faetorily. The records of the year sustain the accuracy of the calculations upon which the sewer was designed. Work on the Boundary intercepting sewer has progressed more slowly than was desired on account of difficulties encountered in the lower section from subterranean springs and caving banks. That difficulty has now been overcome, and the work is now advancing satisfactorily. It is proposed to begin the work for the relief of the northwestern section of the city by con- structing an additional sewer at the head of Slash Run district, and an estimate for this pur- pose i been npeecntea ery respectfully, J. Dent, Tuos. P. Morgan, Ww. a wees quanti of books on Bann Bion! pede he jor of Engineers : tervals. When travelin, n- Commissioners District of Columbia, | rw at odd In the. vae erally took @ book with him, and In the vaca- nee of Conuress he read and studied much. While the majority of the works for which he drew upon the Library were books of fact and of reference, he had a wide range end a catho- lic taste in the realm of literature that lay out- side of these. He read, first and last, a great deal of history, and was nearly as familiar with the history of England as with that of our own country. Biographies he did not specially af ‘Taking Charge of a Female. From the Detroit Free Press. Just before the nen train for Buffalo pulled out of the Central ‘Gepot the other day a man entered the depot in’dompany with an old de- crepit woman who being sent to St. The Ont. Leaving ee tie moment he boarded the train, passed slowly,aloug until he came to it read only a few, and those of the great right man, and then SO ee Ee oaea Ver oars onrvatinen attra a cared but little,and atts bir Jost their charm. gute early for him. But for the researches and verles on the sites of ancient citi» —Troy, ject A nee and Mycenae — = a ol ions taking | keen ay a ‘sics proper, he read charge ob 8 laae 5 mine?’ Tittle oF nothing, but the masters of thinking, “Oh, none in the Teast.” who: logic and the science of mind to. ane it aes \er?” , | Social and political problems, he held in no, esteem it as a if For Carlyle he once had a “Thank you T shall be a thousand. fines | Sam but in la he. obliged. is and you. ‘Twit bring erin ¥ofle returned for the old : ‘asked: | re you thro Yoat going , ugh? “Are you alone?” “Yes. ; ‘Would you have, an: | anpual collection of pamphlets. | at once {| three-quarter length study of Gen. Garfield in When away | one Abraham Garfield enroiled two centuries ago among the vast population of London. He de- lighted in tracing out etymologies and in ran- ning words home to their roots in Greek, Latin, German, or Anglo-Saxon. His early- imbibed taste for the classics appeared to lose no zest with the advance of age or @f cares. He was never too busy to quote Horace, or to come to the library after a half-remembered passage in Virgil. In the midst of one of the busiest sessions of Congress, he struck off one day “in the rough,” as he termed it, a metrical transia- tion of the fine ode of Horace, *‘To the Ship which Carried Virgil to Athens.” His favorite poet, next to Shaks and Horace, was Ten- nyson; and next,I t Elizabeth Browning. Of the best novels, he never tired, and his prime favorites he read over and over again. I well remember his questioning the dictum of some critic, that George Eliot's Romola was the most perfect work of fiction ever written. When asked his own preference, he unhesitatingly gave the palm to Thackeray, but could not quite make up his mind which of his works was the finest asa master-piece of fiction. He in- tensely enjoyed the exquisite fun of Dickens,— unlike the late Charies Sumner, who seidom Tead a novel, and had almost no sense of humor. Garfield has been sometimes compared with mner asa man of letters, but between the two men there were far more striking contrasts than points ofresemblance. * * * * * * Garfield’s library motto was “inter folia fruc- tus”—fruit among the ieaves; and a rare gatherer of the sweet fruits of literature was he. His in- terest in lib: Iibrary at the Capitol the recipient of his large After he was President he continued his visits to the library, always accompanied by his wife, whose int ual gifts were a noble complement to his own. His entrance into the library, no matter on how | serious an errand, was always like a gleam of sunshin Of the ons were hes and occasional addre: Many of these bear the marks of the most ¢ ful preparation. He w&sever most solicit to verify every fact and qu peaking ex tenipore, he w had carefuily 1 of nis articles but little known is the elaborate paper upon the census.ancient and modern,contributed by him to the first volume of Johnson's Univer lopwdia in i872. This is a would do credit to the most caretul * * * * and, after whie' scholar. I think you will concur with me in the fud ment that there have beea few characters, in- deed, who have united in themselves he strength and t maa nature. A isan of marked individuality robust intellect as well as of robust physi irame, he yet had rare refinements of taste, and nileness of temper. The only fautis he J came from his too great softness of There were many who envied him his splendid animal spirits, his sunny temperament his frank, hearty and’ cheerful” way hort. what seemed to be genuine delight in liv! If sometimes in later ears, When worn down aud severe labor, he was he’ quickly delighted in the fresh, unhackneyed ways of children, and in the perennial charm of youth. midst of that fearfully try presidential campaign of 1880, when the venom of a thousand ¢ poured from a thou- sand pens upon him, and the long campaign of slander bore witness to the unutterable bru- lity of our politics, he kept the serenity of his healthy nature, improved but not spoiled by the reiinements of culture? You will tind it in Would you look for a scholar of lofty instinctive habits of nvestigation, wcress for ever- i nied. Do ou seek for a patriot fuil of enthusiasin for the public, growing continually in political wis d developing from a po n into a statesman? Look at Gartield. in foreign lands who would s tutions and the men they bre the typical American? Behold him in * * * * * Are there those is gone. We shall no more se face, the tones of that cheery vo shali hear no more forever. lips utter for us those wise and thoughtful zs to which we were wont te last met together a_ tragedy the pages of antiynity record has once the head of this Society and the 1 the Nation. ‘To many here present the s¢ ic calamity is overshadowed by a private 1ef too profound and sacred to be expressed in words. in the fine elegiae verse of Shakes- e lichtning A thund nt moan: ave, hy grave. a’ ‘et consuminaUl And renown-ed be Fear no more the heat of the s Into that unknown home of the immortals our eyes cannot follow him. But there is left to us the example of his achievement, the benign emory of his person atid character, the conso- | lation that he lias well done his work in the world, and that the world is the better that he has lived in it. Gentle, high-souled, gifted Garfield, receive our tender, our cheerful Fare- well! Portraits of Garfield. At the conclasion of Mr. Spotford’s address: the vice president called attention tothe life size oils, which had been especially prepared tor this mecting within the past week by Mr. E. F. An- s, one of the artist members of the society Also to a head of the late President in cray: by Mr. E. H. Miller, likewise a member of the sock nuch ad- ries was great, and he made the | oys | per. Would you see an example of astronz and } udy our free insti- | No tote will his | taken with modest confession of the little yet accomplished. Ail the great scientific institutions connected with our government, which shed luster on our national name while assuring the growth of industrial resources to our citizens, were fostered. into strength, and nearly all originated during General Garfield's congressional career, and with his active participation and direction as chairman of the committee of appropriations of the House of Representatives and in all other capacities. Whatever may be the final outcome ofourcis-Atlantic experiment in government.and. of our wondrous racial triumph will be the rapid sw continent to man’s beneficial use through the practical application of scientific laws now in of enunciation. That these would have Been indefinit iy delayed without governmental recognition, General Garfield fully appreciated. In his support of the institutions (enumerated), and as chairman of thecensus of 1870, he showed a full understanding of scientific methods, and a determination that they should be applied in the thorouh and accurate collection of all social, political, and physical facts attainable. He saw that the classification of these facts wonld bring forth the laws constituting science, and there- fore establish true principles of nathonal legisla- ut he did not grant his approval to every scheme for subsidizing even attractive and ine teresting lines of 1p . From his record it was shown that, with judicious discrimination, he limited the ernment to — Ist. Al inquiry necessary to the in- of the functions of government t popular iuterests affecting classes or all classes of the community, scope for state authority | whole too extensive in the or the management of citizens even acting in ert. The ¢ inquiries, which in conse. quence of their great magnitude and cost, can- not successfully be made by private individuals. Col. Mallery said that tt had been his privilege | in conneetion with duty to be present at several ions of the commit General Gardeld’s chairmanship, his methods of work. That he jails con- en more lustit ations well known; vie was the manner in b his insatiable thirst for all usefal ize he would ere: pine all well in- ‘ormed persons ayy him until they i up whatever o know, Fre- such persons after the knowl would pur ough many veluines and documents. What was thus obtained was by dictation or copial placed in permanent form, always afterwards accessible. so that his grand motto inter folia fructus was observed to the letter. Col. Mallery’s paper was followed by Dr. Weli- | ing, of the Columbian University, the first prea- | ident of the society, but not now a member, BY me interesting facts as to Gen, r classical study. The exercises of the ‘ning were closed with & short poem of rare merit, by Mre. Frances izson Burnett, read by the fair authoress vif, im ateuching and ‘effective manner, as follows: By the Sea—September 19, 1581. Watehiaan! What of the night? he is dark, my friend: And we, in heavy grief, await the end. A light is burning In a Silent room, But we,— ave wo Light in all the gloom. Watchman! Whatof the night? Friend, strong men wateh the light With the strange : And wowen, ateach i | That the great dare: |W: iMAn! How goes the night? “: friend, for bh | Yet his ‘Heart quails not, though the light burme dim. y ashe fought the field of Life He bears hiuseif in this the foal strive.” | Watchman! What of the night? ‘ are Ie a | Ww fa Oy the chosen of U rp-we Kes 20 plaint, While on the threshold deta awe his keen sword from tts glittering th, Watchman! How goes the night? “In tears, my friend, Of his kigh trata am Of his warm love Hd Huoyant hope ail fires free trom all blight or scat, et the laurel Wrenth we guve, 4 standing neer bis grave.” Watchman! What of the night? “Friend, when it Is past, We womler whut our grief can Dring at 1nst To lay upon his broad, true, tender breast, What ay Whose sweetness Will oul-last the est re And tui we He woke new et from all the Bloom apart, ith and love tn every hear.” inant What of the night? 104 that It were gone, mid see Once more the Th ness deeper grows—tue Li There sweeps o'er land and sea a cry of wor i the pain has passed aw: oe Journalism and Journalists. The rumor that Cyrus W. Field has boughta controiling interest in the New York Keening Express, the old organ of John Kelly and Tam man its future isto be identified im r bh has ‘a proposition in reference d ited States Senate of the U nittee. it, the secretary of the society, affecting note from Mrs. Gar- her great interest in_ this cele- s library com Mr. T. F.D: then read a mo: field, expressi nofher husband's fiftieth birthday, and sending affectionate greetings to the members of the society Judge Drake, who preceded Gen. Garfield In the presi of the society, spoke in terms of heat praise of Mrs. Garfield, as a wife who deserved to be spoken of as the equal of her noble husband. | 801 ng Mail, seems | to be author: s . It is’ not yet | settled, however, just what shape the enterprise y to result im ing paper. Ez a member of the New York Associated Press which gives ita value it could not otherwise possess, and this fact doubtiess led to its pure chase. ‘The price paid is understood to be $175,000. “Rediield always told the truth,” is the truth fal remark of Editor Halstead about the late correspondent of the Commercial in this cor He wight have added that it was always that both the cisely and graphically, too. Eagle and the Union-Argus, of tuis city, have Dr. Hoffman, librarian of the Supreme Court, who was vice presidevt of the society during the first year of Gen. Gartield’s presi tollowed with several incidents showing Garfield's great interest avd proficiency in classical studies. Garfield in Science. Col. Garrick Maliery, of the Bureau of Ei nology, then gave a history of Gen. Garfield's labors in Congress in the interest of govern- imental aid to scientific operations, of whieh the following is an abstract: The laws of science are deriyed only from the correct classification of ascertamed facts. For the discovery of those laws the world is indebted to three classes of men. Some can observe the facts, and even classify them for their own use, without the power of formulation to the public; others can express in distinct and attractive style either ‘heir own ideas or those of more originative minds; but the progress of both classes would be slow and uncertain without the aid of athird, which provides the means requisite for ob- servation and publication. History tells us how | much has been gained through the substantial contributions of the mere dilletanti and the avaracious, in their support of trae workers: but more deserving of gratitude than the aid derived from vanity and greed is that produced by purely benevolent toil from active personal exertion, wholly impersonal in considerations of reward, In this res selence recognizes its enduring obligation to James A. Garfield. In his short life of busy action there was little time for the full fruitage of original scientifle research, yet from his character of mind and methods’ of work it 1s not to be It is understood in Brookly changed, or will change owners iy Mr. f the former, will zo to Europe soon, so it is said, on account of his wife's health, which event will be followed by a complete change in man: ment, both business and edi- torial. As for the ion-Argus, the republican organ, it has been bought by ex-Sheriff Daggett, of hali-breed renown, who will no doubt make it a wide-awake and aggressive paper. Rumor has it that St. Clair McKelway, formerly a cor- respondent here, and lately connected with the Albany Argus, is to be its new managing editor. Boston is to have a new afternoon penny paper, entitled the World, on and after Decem- ber 5th. Mr. R. C. McCartney, who is to con- duct it, promises that it shall be aggressive and thoroughly independent. A young lady, Miss Alice Igenfritz, delivered the annuai address before one of the Lowa press associations the other day. The old story that a new democratic paper is to be started in Cincinnati in opposition to the | Enguirer is revived. The new venture will need - neces bank account if it means — jeantime the Enguirer is arranging to buil largest and completest newspaper offices in the United States, on the principle, probably, tiat threatened men live . Are port has also been put in circulation the Gazette and the Commercial of the same city, are to be consolidated shortly, and their names united by a hyphen . There te, how: ever, doubtiess even less foundation for re port than for the other. One hundred and fifty shares of the Philadel- necessary only time was wanting for the development and formal expression o! In fields even wider than