FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1187 
Now, as a pure matter of dollars and cents, I submit whether it is 
not better to keep the banks of this creek free from dwelling houses, 
and dedicate the land to some public purpose. I do not hesitate to say 
that something must be done for the protection of the people living in 
the neighborhood 6f Rock Creek, where buildings have been con- 
structed on its border. Unless something be done, that whole stream 
will become the deposit of the sewerage and refuse of people living 
upon its banks, and that portion of the city will soon have to be 
abandoned, or given over to people who can live in the midst of those 
stenches. 
Besides, Mr. Speaker, there will never be a time when this property 
can be purchased as cheaply as it can be purchased to-day. The people 
who own the land that is expected to be purchased along Rock Creek, 
if any be purchased at all, are the original owners of the property; 
and as a member of the District Committee I can say that not a single 
one of them, nor the representative of one of them, has come to me, or 
so far as I know to any member of the committee, urging this park 
project upon our consideration. Although I have heard the names of 
a number of these owners, I know but a single one; and although he 
bought a piece of property there four or five years ago he says, “‘If 
you want this land for a public park, I will sell it at a price that any 
gentleman in whom I have confidence will put upon it.” I think that 
is a fair proposition. He has not asked Congress to appropriate one 
cent; but he says that, on the contrary, he would prefer to hold the 
land that he might realize the advance in price. 
It is true that a part of the property along this creek has become 
very valuable. I know a gentleman in this city who, according to 
repute—I have no personal knowledge of the fact—purchased, seven 
or eight years ago, a piece of property adjacent to this creek which he 
could now sell for $250,000 or $300,000. If we are ever going to get 
a park, now is the time; it is in my opinion the only time when the 
people’s representatives will be willing to vote the sum necessary to 
secure it. 
In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, if this park is purchased the Dis- 
trict under the usage and the existing law will have to pay one-half of 
the expenses. It is proper that the people owning property along the 
line of this park should pay their just proportion in view of any 
increased value which may arise from the dedication of this land to 
public use. The District is in a better condition to pay its share of 
this money now than it will probably ever be for years to come. 
There is a considerable surplus in the treasury of the District, amount- 
ing to several hundred thousand dollars—between six hundred thou- 
sand and seven hundred thousand. 
Mr. Biount. How about the debt? 
