Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-05


mented Thomas j. Rusk in the U. S. Senate.
lie was a lawyer. statesman and orator, of the
highest order of talent, and his demise will de-
prive the nation, as well as the State of Texas,
of invaluable services.
THE WATER QUESTION
WASHINGTON, June |, ISIS.
Editor of the Star:
As the writer Of the communication over the
signature of "Public Good, :" which appeared in
your paper OF Wednesday last, in reply to one
written by me relative to increasing the funded
debt of this city, having very unjustly impugned
the motives which induced me to give my views
upon that important question, requires reply.
The writer commences by asserting s'that the
object had in view was to induce the voters at
the next election not to sanction the proposition
to invest the authorities with power to increase
the Funded debt" To this charge / plead gull
ty-that being the sole object Of my communica-
ton for the reasons set forth, but not for those
ascribed to me by the writer. In this connection
. Public GOOd' says "that Congress expressed
its object to be to afford to the cities of Wash
ington and Georgetown an unfailing and abundant
supply of good and wholesome water Upon
this point there can be no difference of opinion,
for it is to be presumed that Congress, through
their lberality i'm making such large appropTia-
tions for this work, by which to amasS fortunes
from the citizens In levying tax for every glass
that the control of this work should be vested in
the corporate authorities, comforting power they
are 80 eager 10 obtain, to exact tax for the use
Of the water, in order to derive all annual reve-
nue. according to published statement) of sixty
five thousand dollars. The intention Of Congress
was that the wafer was To he free, the only Px-
p-nse to the citizens being the cost Of and the
laying of the pipes, and keeping them in repair
" Public Good' informs that the .stax OIL
property is now up TO the maximum allowed by
the charter, and therefore cannot be increased -
owl rant N1.in III 80 Al
made by the Councils in this matter Let au-
thorlty be given to increase the :. funded debt,
then an opportunity Is orded the authorities to
appeal to Congress upon the plea that the citi-
zens have AUTHORIZED the distribution Of water
through the city, for such additional powers az
Will enable them to increase the rate of taxation,
10 meet the interest upon this loan, over and
above the present rate probably hBndyeG per
cent. The writer continues. that s!tbe mere act
OF authorizing the city authorities to create
debt does not at once create interest paving
deb" Certainly 1t does not but what security
has the citizen that the stock will not be at once
issued. The action Of the Councils In creating
oebt, IN violation OF the charter, of sixty thou
SAND dollars in the Alexandria and Washington
Branch Railroad, is no guarantee that the issue
OF this stock will not be immediately made
Otherwise why this nxiety to get the authority
at thls election, why not wait until the water is
Introduced into the city, and authority to use il
mas Deen obtained, which will allow sufficient
time 10 ma ke the necessary arrangements for it's
distribution for city purposes. "Public Good -
In concluding his article, charges me with being
actuated by personal motives ia suggesting other
modes for the distribution of the water than that
proposed by the authorities, which would do
away with the necessity of creating this addi-
uonel debt Upon that suggestion he SAYS,
= there are kind individuals who would he will
ing 10 ask Congress to charter a wv alter Com
pany,' to spread the life giving element through
ONT me expansive bounds of this great city,
For Public Goods information ] will state
that have never had any interest in or connec-
ton whatever with any Water Company, and
shall oppose any proposition to place the control
oil the water into the hands Of any monopoly. /
contend that the use OF the water to the citizens
ought to be free. and that its distribution should
De under regulations similar to those that govern
The authorities in the laying Of pavements and
gas-Pipes-the cost to be assessed upon the prop
erty that receives the benefits, and not upon the
property Of all for the benefit Of the few
VOTER.
APPOINTMENTS BY THE PREsIDESr-Bv anu
ruth the adviee ami consent Of the .Senate.-
Calvin l.. Sayre, of Ala, second lieutenant in
the Marine Corps, to fill a vacancy occasioned
by the resignation Of second lieut. William
Butterfeld.
James d. Murray, of MINI, Purser in the
Navy to NIL vacancy Occasioned by the death
of Samuel P. Todd
George w. Clarke, of Ark, Purser in the
Navy, II place Of Ezekiel w Cullen, whose
has been Withdrawn at his own re-
qaest.
William Ii. Wilcox. of Conn, Professor of
mathematics IN the Navy, to fill vacancy &C.
caSioned by the resignation of VIM. FIVE.
samuel '. Hunter, Of Ky, Purser in the
Navy, 70 MI vacancyioccasioned by the death
oil William Sinclair.
0LooP SARATOGA This vessel is now at the
n orfoik Navy Yard, fitting out with all posi-
Die despatch for the Home Squadron. The
Following otteers have been ordered to report
themselves for service on her On the 10th inst
Commander, Thos. Turner; Lieutenants. ]
NJ Wainwright, Pierce Crosby. Vim. M. GAM
Oie' John +. Hamilton, Jesse Taylor, Jr.; Sur
scon' chas' Ii. Wheelwright; Assistant do,
VIM johnson, Jr.; Purser, C. ]. Emery: Act.
Hg Boatswain, VIM. Daskin; Gunner, Vim
UaPe; Carpenter T. c. Ferrall; Sailmaker
Vim. n. Maull.
COURT MARTIAL.-A Naval General Court
Martial OF thirteen members, of which Com
nodore George w. SiOrer is President has
been ordered to convene at Washington on the
4th instant, for the trial of Captain Z. u.
Boutwell,, L. S. Navy. y. NJ. Carlisle has
'een appointed Judge -Ad, !ocate, and the ac-
used has engaged the sery ices of r. X Scott
IS bis counsel The oths r officers composing
re Court ars-CaptaiAs 13reese, Sands, Glynn,
hekess, Mercer, Lountles, Marston, Wilkes,
''ehdy and Purviance, and Commanders Robb
.ad Tilton
NJ meeting Of vir'yinians was held at the
'e"oPo'itan Hotel New York, on Thursday
'ehihs'' ana ii caamitt &c OF fifteen appointed TO
ldke arrangements to attend the nrooosed remo-