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Editorial
February 8, 1883
National Republican (Washington City
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
The editorial paints an optimistic vision of a future Washington, D.C., transformed by infrastructure improvements, eliminating unpaved streets, overhead tracks, and urban nuisances, with luxurious hotels, an opera house, and a national university. It calls for public spirit to overcome petty disputes, starting with selecting a capable commissioner.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
The Good Time Coming
What a city this will be when it is finished. Then there will be no unpaved streets or unadorned reservations, no unsightly telegraph poles, no street-car tracks above the surface of the street, and no uneven pavements between or at the side of those tracks. There will be no unreclaimed flats in the Potomac, and no dam across the river in the shape of a long bridge. There will be no steam cars in our streets, for the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio and the Baltimore and Potomac will be taken up, and all railways will center at some point on the river, to reach which the city will not have to be traversed. The gas will be brilliant and the water will be abundant. The streets will then be lighted on those pitch-dark nights when the moon is blindfolded by dense black clouds. The railway approaches to the city will then be by the way of Rock creek, on either side of which will be lovely villas, with a neat village every two or three miles. The wealthiest fifty men in the nation will invest, say $100,000 each, in a hotel which shall be a wonder of luxury, comfort, and beauty, and in which they shall be preferred guests, extending and accepting the hospitalities of the gay season at the capital. An opera house will rise up excelled by none in the land. A national university shall confer its degrees upon youth who will not find its decoration less honorable than Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Williams. The people of Washington are to enjoy all these things in the coming by and by. But it will be when there is a public spirit which will frown down the petty squabbles of a little Pedlington, and when every man shall trust rather to his own speed than to his power of obstructing competitors. As a beginning of the discipline which must precede the good time coming, it would be well to practice on the question of a commissioner. Let our people vie with each other in trotting out live, worthy, and eligible candidates, and then, if from among them a selection is made, let his hands be strengthened by all. By and by the people here may be recognized as citizens and allowed a voice in their own affairs.
What a city this will be when it is finished. Then there will be no unpaved streets or unadorned reservations, no unsightly telegraph poles, no street-car tracks above the surface of the street, and no uneven pavements between or at the side of those tracks. There will be no unreclaimed flats in the Potomac, and no dam across the river in the shape of a long bridge. There will be no steam cars in our streets, for the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio and the Baltimore and Potomac will be taken up, and all railways will center at some point on the river, to reach which the city will not have to be traversed. The gas will be brilliant and the water will be abundant. The streets will then be lighted on those pitch-dark nights when the moon is blindfolded by dense black clouds. The railway approaches to the city will then be by the way of Rock creek, on either side of which will be lovely villas, with a neat village every two or three miles. The wealthiest fifty men in the nation will invest, say $100,000 each, in a hotel which shall be a wonder of luxury, comfort, and beauty, and in which they shall be preferred guests, extending and accepting the hospitalities of the gay season at the capital. An opera house will rise up excelled by none in the land. A national university shall confer its degrees upon youth who will not find its decoration less honorable than Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Williams. The people of Washington are to enjoy all these things in the coming by and by. But it will be when there is a public spirit which will frown down the petty squabbles of a little Pedlington, and when every man shall trust rather to his own speed than to his power of obstructing competitors. As a beginning of the discipline which must precede the good time coming, it would be well to practice on the question of a commissioner. Let our people vie with each other in trotting out live, worthy, and eligible candidates, and then, if from among them a selection is made, let his hands be strengthened by all. By and by the people here may be recognized as citizens and allowed a voice in their own affairs.
What sub-type of article is it?
Infrastructure
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Washington Dc
Urban Improvements
Infrastructure
Public Spirit
National University
Railway Relocation
Civic Development
What entities or persons were involved?
Washington D.C.
Potomac River
Baltimore And Ohio Railroad
Baltimore And Potomac Railroad
Rock Creek
Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Williams
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Vision For A Improved Future Washington D.C.
Stance / Tone
Optimistic And Exhortative
Key Figures
Washington D.C.
Potomac River
Baltimore And Ohio Railroad
Baltimore And Potomac Railroad
Rock Creek
Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Williams
Key Arguments
Eliminate Unpaved Streets, Unsightly Poles, And Overhead Tracks For A Polished City
Reclaim Potomac Flats And Remove Obstructive Bridges
Relocate Railway Tracks Outside The City To Avoid Street Traversal
Provide Brilliant Gas Lighting And Abundant Water Supply
Develop Villa Lined Approaches Via Rock Creek With Villages
Wealthy Investors To Build Luxurious Hotel For Elite Hospitality
Construct Premier Opera House And National University Rivaling Ivy League
Foster Public Spirit To End Petty Squabbles And Promote Competition
Start Civic Discipline By Selecting And Supporting A Worthy Commissioner
Grant Citizens Voice In Local Affairs