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CITY WAS PLANNED CAPITAL OF NATION DIDN'T GROW UP JUST A8 TOPBY DID. 1 Wat Selected at Site for City From %ht First, and Haa Been Growing In Beauty and Importance Ever Since. All other cities in America, perhaps all other cities in the world, came up was selected as a site for a city from the very first day, and has been grow ing, as a city, in numbers, in beauty and in Importance from that day to the present hour. Washington is a great city, not sole ly because it is the capital of the United States, nor because here are made the laws of the land, nor is her greatness from her magnificent build ings; she Is great because of the mighty men who have so linked their names with her history that they are a part of her, and their immortal famo embellishes and ennobles this spot where they fought in the arena of na tional conflict, not as mere men, nut like imperishable gods. Let us forget the present, and go back a hundred years or so, and with the city being mapped and built, and meet the men who walked its streets. There was much dispute as to where the capital of the nation should be. The southern states, supported by the great Influence of Washington, Jeffer son and Madison, declared for some spot on the Potomac; tne northern states did not want it bo far south, and ridiculed the idea of selecting a spot still in the rough and making a city of it. They first wanted it on the Susquehanna, then on the falls of the Delaware, and later went so far as to carry the vote in favor of German town, now a suburb of Philadelphia, but delay ensuing, the vote was re considered. Eventually a compromise was ef fected the southern members voting for a bill the northern states wanted badly, and then the northern men voted for a site on the Potomac, giv ing the sole power to the president to select a federal territory “not exceed ing ten miles square on the River Po tomac, at some space between the mouths of the eastern branch and the Conongocheague, for the permanent seat of the government of the United States.” The site of the present city was se lected by Washington In 1791. The place was well known to him from his boyhood, and was only 14 miles from Mount Vernon. All Virginians of that day were sure that the Po tomac would be the route of travel to the interior, and that commerce would pass through Chesapeake bay and the Potomac to and from Europe. Hence, the new city was to be not only great in a political sense, but would be a great commercial center as well. A French military engineer who de cided to stay in this country rather than return with the French troops, was selected to plan the new city, and the Washington of today Is very large ly the creation of his brain. The White House was designed after the palace of the duke of Lein ster, in Dublin, and so named after the early home of Martha Washing ton, on the Pamunky river. In Vir ginia. The cornerstone was laid In 1793. For the capltol 16 designs were sub mitted and rejected, but finally a Dr. William Thornton submitted a design that pleased both Washington and Jef ferson. the latter saying: “It capti vated the eye and Judgement of all.” The cornerstone of this building was laid on September 18, 1793, with Ma sonic ceremonies, and it is said that “after the ceremony the assemblage retired to an extensive booth where they enjoyed a barbecue feast.” The work of making the city went on, but it was not taken possession of by the authorities of the nation until October, 1800, when President John Adams and his cabinet and clerks moved to Washington. General Washington, who had se lected the site, who had pushed tho building in every way in his i>ower, and who was Intensely interested in the project, did not live to see the ful fillment of his desires —Its occupation by the ruling authorities; he having passed away in December, 1799. Low Death Rate. According to the announcement made by tbe bureau of ceneua, the death rate In the United States last year was only IS per annum to oach 1,000 Inhabitants. This was said to bo the lowest death rate In the records of the census bureau. In 1908 the death rate, according to the records of the census bureau, was 15.4 per thousand. It Is stated by the bureau chiefs that the mortality was distributed with more than ordinary unformlty. There were no epidemics other than of a purely local nature. More Indian Schools. The bureau of Indian affairs Is plan ning to Increase the number of schools, and It Ja said will probably allow the Indians to enroll In white schools. It Is said that this will not cause trouble, as there Is no racial feeling displayed by the natives toward the admitting of Indians In their schools. Of course, this will not hold good where Indian and negro blood Is mixed, as Is the case with a great many. Since July 1 about IB additional schools have been estab lished throughout the country. THE OLD VAN NESS MANSION Blte of Thla Once Historic Btruoturo Now Occupied by Home of Bu reau of American Republics. The Bureau of American Republics is an Institution supported by, 21 re publics of the Americas for the pro motion of commerce and trade and for the cultlvavtlon of peace and friendship. It occupies a white marble building south of the Corcoran gal lery on the grounds of the old Van Ness place. For this buildlhg An drew Carnegie contributed $750,000. For a long time the Vau Ness man sion was one of the historic buildings of the city. It was built by Latrobe. one of the architects of the capital, for Gen. John P. Van Ness, who mar ried Marcia Burns, daughter of Davie Burns, one of the original landhold ers of the city. ' Crusty Davie Burns” liv<*d in a rude cottage near the river, and cultivated a largo plantation ex tending over the spot where the White House now stands. The demand for his land made him wealthy, and his only child, Marcia, was known as the beautiful heiress of Washington. For some time Burns was opposed to the projected transfer of land to tho gov ernment, and the president and com missioners had several conferences with him. On one of these occasions the choleric Scotchman answered one of Washington’s arguments by this outburst: “I ruppose. Mr. Wash ington, you think people are going to take every grist f.».m you as pure grain; but what would you have been if you hadn’t married the rich Widow Custia?” General Van Ness, a well-born New Yorker, was one of many suitors for the hand of Mafcla Burns. He became a resident of* Washington, living at first with his bride in the old cottage which she would never permit to be taken down. He became mayor of the city, his portrait was painted hy Gil bert Stuart, the mansion erected on the Burns’ estate was one of the finest in the country and the resort of the distinguished people of Washington. In Oak Hill cemetery Van Ness had erected a tomb in lmitatio i of the temple of Ve6ta. On each anniversary of his death the legend has it that his favorite troop of six white horses make a ghostly midnight gallop around the old mansion. Whether the Bureau of American Republics will In herit the ghostly horses with the site of the ancient mansion remains to be seen. Just as Topsy did they Just “grow ed; ” but Was hington DEATH IN THE “JACK-POT" Number of Soiled Bills Being Re turned to Washington for Redemp tion Is Increasing. Increasing numbers of soiled bills are being returned to Washington for redemption. Mr. A. Cressey Morrison of Chicago, still carries on with en thusiasm a campaign against “filthy lucre;” filthy in the literal sense of the word; when represented by the bills commonly used in the present day transaction of business. The results of a thorough analysis of 24 of the worst bills turned in are startling, writes Joe Chappie, in the National Magazine. There were germs of grippe, tuberculosis, diphtheria and other contagious diseases. Mr. Mor rison claims that the examinations made for typhoid and cholera germs in drinking water should be applied to bills. When Mr. Hilditch of Yale ex amined 24 bills, he discovered an av age of 142.000 bacteria various dangerous maladies, which is a mat ter of grave concern when it Is con sidered that this money had passed through the hands of thousands of men. women and children all over the country. It has been proved scien tifically that papeT money is a means of transmission of disease. Germs of tuberculosis and other contagious dis orders may live for several days in bills. From a sanitary standpoint, the federal government ought to remedy this disgraceful condition. In fact, the bills become so contaminated that no self-respecting person would accept such an accumulation of filth in any other form than money, in a public or private transaction. New Infantry Accouterments. New equipment for the Infantry branch of the United States army Is being manufactured at the Rock Is lnnd arsenal, says a Washington cor respondent. In the new accouter ments comfort and light weight havo horn made the main consideration. The old ones weighed about 45 pounds. The new one only weighs 58. While this Is only a difference of seven pounds, you would find that a vast dif ference If you had to lug the stuff on your back the way the Infantry does. There Is an Improved knapsack, which Is lighter and fits snugly In the hollow of the soldier's back. The old blanket roll Is abollshod. The new blanket roll will be a compact bundle, and will be carried In such a manner as to protect the wearer's spine from the rays of the sun and at the nme time allow greater f-eedom of move ment. Tbe haversack now carrlod on a strap suspended from the shoulders will be replaced by a smaller one. It will contain changes of underclothing, meat can, knife, fork and spoon and cup. An Improved canteen Is also provided. It will be flat and curved on one side, so that It will fit snugly. An Innovation la provided In the cart ridge belt. In the new belt most of the ammunition Is carried In front, so as to act as a counterpoise to the weight of the blanket roll and knap sack on the back. Tud new belt mgy be worn loosely, so as not to cAust any pressure on the abdomen. About 80,000 pieces of this equipment will be made, and within a year the sa tire army will be supplied. ■ i'- ‘I v . HOW MOUNT VERNON WAS SAVED Washington's Tomb at Mount Vernon. If there is one action above all oth ers for which American women can feel proud, it is the preservation of the home of Washington. How Mt. Vernon was saved as a monument to patriotism is an interesting story, for It was through the formation of the oldest patriotic association of women now in existence In the United States that this historic spot was preserved to posterity. Upon the death of George Washing ton, in 1799, a life interest in the es tate passed to his wife. From her It fell to various Washington relatives unill, in 1855, John Augustine Wash ington, Jr., found himself in posses sion of an historic place which he was unable to keep in a proper state of preservation by selling it to the United States government, and failing in this, offered it to the commonwealth of Vir ginia. It was at this crisis that Ann Pamela Cunningham of South Carolina determined that the tomb of Washing ton must be preserved as a permanent blirine of patriotism. IN THE EARLY DAYS WHEN THE CAPITAL WAB RE MOVED FROM PHILADELPHIA. Capltol Was Only Partly Completed, and Legislators Endured Great Discomforts—Once Considered Returning. When the nation's capital was moved from Philadelphia to Washing- ton the 32 sen- L ators and 105 1 repres enta ] tives constl- ! tuting the con- gress found only the senate wing of the much-heralded Capitol. The cen tral portion of the original building and the house wing had not risen above their foundations. The first senate session called together In the old Capitol met In the chamber de signed for It, and which occupied about the same space as that now al lotted to the Supreme court of the United States, save that the floor was one story lower, or on the precent -basement level. The representatives crowded themselves Into the old sen- . ate wing, and were given a long room in the west side on the main floor, which space 1b now subdivided Into office rooms for the Supreme court. That tribunal held Its first sessions In one of the old senate committee rooms Thus were three bodies all crowded Into the little senate wing In the year 1800. House members began to grumble from the very start, and so loud were their complaints that It was decided to build on the site of the first house wing a temporary brick structure In the shape of an elliptical bandbox, and to let tbe walls of the permanent wing rise around It. This brick make- 1 shift was made ready for the session of 1801-02. When members arrived and examined It their displeasure reached the boiling point. Decause of tbe lack of ventilation In this make shift they termed It the "oven," and no such It will ever remain In his tory. , The "oven" was connected with the senate wing by a covered way span ning the foundations of tip) future, ro- I tunda and central structure. The house returned to Its first temporary quarters In the Benate wing In ISOS. and remained crowded there for two years before Its own wing was com pleted. Its first permanent chnmber ' was on the site of the present "sani tary hall," where tourists marvel at i the phenomena of the "whispering gallery." During these early sessions the sen ate sot always with closed doors and admitted no spectators to Its gal leries. Sessions of the house were, however, open. Continental dress was In vogue among members, whose wigs were dally curled and powdered. Hats were worn on the floor of the house even until 1828, and women were excluded from Its galleries for some years. Urns filled with Scotch snuff were placed In each house, and there were employes charged with the task of keeping them filled. "Pen makers’* were employed In both cham bers to mend and sharpen the goose quills then In vogue for writing—and which, by the way, are still used In the Supreme court chamber. There were also official "sealers," who adorned all documents with red wax. On their stationery accounts these nasty, members drew resets, gloves, perfumery, bears' grease a&4 "as ln Accordlngly she organized the ML Vernon Ladies’ association and ap pointed vice regents in the various states to aid in the work. Contribu tions to a fund to buy the property were solicited, and Eoon every section of the country became interested. Thousands of school children gave pen nies. Edward Everett presented the Immense proceeds of his lectures on Washington, societies donated funds, and Mt. Vernon was saved to the na tion. In 1860 over 200 acres of the es tate, Including the wharf, tomb and mansion, were purchased by the asso ciation for $200,000. As the society was former for the sole purpose of ac quiring ML Vernon, the estate can never pass from its possession, and is owned by It, though Virginia retains a supervision over it. Since Miss Cun ningham’s death the office of regent has passed through various hands until today It is held by Mrs. Justine Van Rensselaer Townsend or New York, who is ably aided by vice-regents from j 25 states. nocent beverage called swichell,” sup posed to be a temperance concoction, but among whose ingredients were good French brandy and Jamaica rum. This was always charged In the "stationery” account as “sirup.** In each committee room there was a buffet where alcoholic stimulants were served to political callers. The house moved into its first per manent quarters in 1807, but not until 23 years more had passed was the original capitol finished. The founda tions of the rotunda were still spanned by a covered way when the British burned the building in 1814. After that act of vandalism congress removed to Blodgett’s hotel, at Sev enth and E streets, and later to a house at Maryland avenue and First street northeast, on Capitol hill. Meanwhile the rebuilding of the capi tol was In progress. It was not com pleted until 1830, although congress returned to its chambers at a much earlier date. When finally completed the old capltol comprised the present main entrance on the east and present freestone front between the marble wings. It was capped by a low dome, rising to 145 feet, constructed of brick, stone and wood sheathed with copper. The building had cost $2,433.- 814 when completed. Thus did our early legislators en dure all sorts of discomrorts for near ly a third of a century. Their discon tent reached its crisis in 180 S, when a resolution for the return of the seat of government to Philadelphia came within a very few votes of passing. It would have been safely carried had not southern members been fearful of the annoyance of anti-slavery agi tators, so rife In the Quaker city even In those early antebellum days. The old capitol building was out grown within fifty years after the re moval of the seat o*f government to Washington, and history has repeated itself within the last half century. It would appear that a capltol building will hold our big legislative mill but 50 years, In spite of provisions for future contingencies. Thomas U. Wal ter was selected to extend the orlgiual building because of his success with the Girard college edifice in Phlladel phila. Walter designed thhe two wings, as well as the present dome, commenced In 1856, and which coat $1,250,000. Tho porticos of the wtngs, the grand stairways and the western terrace were completed by Edward Clark, who succeeded Mr. Walter in 1865, and who had been his assistant since 1851. When Mr. Clark died in 1902 he completed a continuous offi cial service of 51 years. He was suc ceeded by Mr. Elliott Woods, his as slstanL Want a Xylotomist. Are you a xylotomlst? If you are, there Is a job open for you If you can pass the civil service, and that Job will pay you 81.100 a year. A xyloto mlst Is not a new kind of a bug, nor Is It a musical Instrument. It Is a posi tion In tbe forestry service, and his business Is to cut trees Into small sec tions, and study their structure under the microscope In the forest service laboratory. After long study he writes n report, which later Is printed at con siderable expense by the government for public distribution, but up to now the public has taken very little Inter est In xylotomy, and there has not been a request for such a report since the forestry service was established. The forestry service Is anxiously hoping that If there Is anywhere in the United States such a man as a xylotomlst he will come forward aad enter the government employ. TROLLEY TO MOUNT VERNON No Longer Necessary to BaII Down the Potomac to Reach the Home of Washington. In these days of trolley cars and Interurban connections it is no longer necessary to sail down the Potomac to reach Mount Vernon, although that is always a pleasant trip. The Wash ington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon trolley cars carry passengers along the river’s wooded shores, pass through quaint old Alexandria and on to an entrance of the estate leading to the rear of the mansion house. The train crosses a bridge which has re placed the famous old long bridge over which the Union army marched In the ’6os, a privilege denied the con federate troops. As soon as the Virginia side is reached the conductor hangs up cards, one In the front of the car with the significant word “White,” and one In the back which Indicates that back seats are for colored passengers. This means that In obedience to the laws of Virginia you must, If a white pas senger, move from the back seat you may have legally taken in Washing ton and leave It for the occupancy of the n*gro passengers, who are forbid den to sit In front. At Arlington Junction, where passengers change cars for Arlington National cemetery, there is a small frame station with two rooms. Over the door of one Is print ed, “For White Passengers.” Over the other is the notice, “For Colored Passengers.” Mount Vernon, with its century-old trees, Its formal English gardens, its hedges of box«wod, Its deer park, its sun dial, Its old-fashioned barn. Its outbuildings for the servants—the kitchen, the butler’s house, the laun dry, the spinning house —Its kitchen fireplace, big enough to hold several men in standing posture, its rolling acres of velvety lawn—is so reminis cent of the estate of an English gen tleman that it makes the democracy of the man who held it the more re markable. It Is not strange that after he had done his work he was content to remain here and look after his broad acres. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ association, which through its state regents holds and cares for the property, has forever removed from the nation the fear that the first pres ident’s house would fall into neglect and decay. HOW CROP REPORTS ARE MADE Some Details of the Comprehensive Byttem Employed by the Depart ment of Agriculture. While traveling through Georgia I came across one of the township cor respondents, appointed by the agricul tural department of Washington, who send in monthly reports regarding the crop conditions in their counties, says a writer in National Magazine. The details of the comprehneslve system employed by the department in gath ering crop information from all over the country are interesting. There are 30,000 township correspondents scat tered all over the Union, whose duty It is to go carefully over the territory and submit each mouth concrete In formation as to the condition of all kinds of crops. In addition to this branch 3,000 "county correspondents” send in separate reports from those of the township men. A state agent makes a further report direct from his agents, nnd an organization In di rect communication with the depart ment comprising 17 traveling “field agents.” go about the country and make separate reports for groups of states. Special cotton correspondents are also employed to furnish accurate information concerning the cotton yield. Five different reports are sent to Washington each month, by five different sets of correspondents. This safeguards the government crop re ports for accuracy in local crop re ports, and keeps the great crop ac count and cost estimates for the mil lions of American farmers. These records are sent to the agricultural de oartmenL Mr. Olmstead of the bureau of statistics, and Mr. Murray, his as sistant and a board go over all the five reports from five distinct groups of correspondents, and from all the figures a crop report estimate is dis tributed to 70,000 post offices through out the county every month. Young Woman's Long Ride. Miss Marlon Oliver, daughter of Gen. Robert Shaw Oliver, assistant secretary of war. recently completed a ride that would wear out four fifths of the men who undertook It. She rode 153 miles over the ragged Indian trails of Arizona and Now Mex ico with her father, who was on a tour of Inspection of southwestern posts and garrisons. Anyone who has ever seen that country knows how broken It Is and how difficult a feat Miss Oliver performed. The trip was made In less than four weeks. Mrs. Herbert Wadsworth accompa nied General Oliver and bis daughter. Mrs. Wadsworth had herself Just com pleted a ride of 212 miles In 20 con secutive hours, which Is a record so far as any woman equestrian has been recorded. Liable to Arrest and Fine. The practise of writing on newspa pers and packages —Imparting some information to relatives and friends on papers and parcels mailed them — has become so common with thought less and Ignorant people that the $lO penalty of the past has been made 8100 by the postal department, and hereafter offenders will have to stand arrest and trial. STAMPED HIS SCALP EXABPERATED YOUNG WOMAN OBEY 3 IRATE EMPLOYER. Grim, Glum and Exacting Washington Ogre Before Whom All Appli cants for Positions Quailed Finally Meets His Match. He was one of the grim and glum men in Washington whom it is said that no appli cant for a posl [ tlon has ever [approached. It ’was not that he was so stern In appearance, but he had a voice which fairly bristled with irony a*;d sarcasm, before which even the stoutest heart might quail. His favorite remark, when speaking to some new employe, who had been en gaged by some other member of the firm, was: “Our first requirement is absolute correctness In figures,” the last three words always in italics. One day two young ladies ventured Into the privacy of his office; they wore an imperious and somewhat saucy smile. Bedecked with beautiful complexions, empire gowns and pic ture hats, they were beyond the pale of criticism. “What we first Insist upon is cor rectness in figures,” said the G. G, man, not looking up. Civil and unabashed they shook their sunny curls, and smoothing their hipless skirts, remarked, in perfect unison: “We are told that our fig ures are absolutely correct. We were once in a Florodora sexteL" They got the Job. However, there Is a sequel: One of the attractive young women worked in the office of the ogre; she was ex pected to keep his desk in order. She had strict orders never “to touch any thing,’’ while on the other hand she must on no account allow dust or waste papers to accumulate on the desk. “And for heaven’s sake, when I get stamps for a special purpose, don't go and send them all out on letters.** Twenty-five stamps had lain on the desk for three days; the young woman knew they belonged In a certain drawer, but thought It wiser to ad here to the order, “touch nothing.** This particular morning the ogre ar> rived In an especially exasperated frame of mind —the breakfast coffee had not been quite right. “Here,” he roared. The young woman briskly came forward. “How many times have I told you never to leave stamps lying around? TakO' these and put them' where I can’t see them.** With surprising speed she whipped the stamps from his hand, drew them across her tongue and with a deft movement plastered them upon the shiny bald pate of the irate gentle man. With a low bow and a polite “good-morning” the lovely young lady in the hipless gown left that office for ever and forever.—Joe Mitchell Chap pie, in National Magazine. TREASURY OFFICIAL TALKS Tells of Old Evils of Work In the Department and Then Spesks of Some Recent Reforms. A treasury official got reminiscent the other day. and began to talk about some of the old evils of work In the treasury department and then began to speak of reforms. Among other re forms, he said, was one which the new school of anti-microbe doctors have Instituted, which he believed to be a very excellent one. “This Is In teach ing people that money Is filthy lucre. Indeed," he added, “when It Is made of paper. Within the last few years the amount of paper money returned for cancellation has doubled. Now the treasury redeems and destroys about two million dollars In bills dally. "Most of the notes are of the small er denominations, the one and the two dollar variety. "People have learned that death lurks In the dirty currency. They like the Idea of clean, new crlnky bills In their pockets. The banks have learned that their customers like this, and they are usually ready to re deem the old bills, because only the express charges stand between them and getting all the clean money they want. "Formerly a note would stay out for three or four years. Now 1 think the average Is not over fourteen ; months. So, roughly speaking, the en i tire circulation Is renewed about onco In every two years and a half. “The government finds It costa a little more, but It encourages tbe re newal for all that. The old bills am put Into an electric machine that punches and then slices them at a rate of sometimes one million notea a day. "And here Is an unusual little bit of Information, also. Do you have any Idea how many new one-dollar bills It will take to equal In weight a $Bl3 gold piece? Probably not. Hardly one out of a hundred you meet and ask will be able to give you a good guess. Well. It takes 28 new ones. After they have been used and soiled and crumpled It takes only 25. Ton can see how much dirt those notan must have absorbed to have gained a whole note In weight." The Ancients of a Future Day. . People are always talking of tho study of the ancients; yet what does this mean but apply yourself to thn actual world and seek to express It, since this Is what tbe ancients did when they were alive.—From Ooetha,