Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-08

October 36th, 1893. Jeremiah Hepburn. do
July 5th, 1sC2: Patrick Crowley, Washington,
November 18th, 1901; John n: Ford, wash-
GEORGETOWN, ID. c.. August 18th, 1912. John
johnson, Virginia, December 10th, l79S-April
lsl1.
Adjourned to first Thursday in January.
BOARD OF TRADE-TAe Consolidation Ques-
hon.-On Wednesday evening, n general meet
ing OF the members OF the Board OF Trade took
place at their rooms. a number Of new men,
bers were elected.
The secretary read for the information of the
members the resolution under which the meet
ing was called, introduced in the directors
meeting by Mr. Shepherd, inviting the atten-
tion Of the board 10 the propriety of petitioning
Congress To consolidate the corporate authori-
ties Of washington, Georgetown and the county
under one municipality.
Mr.. Shepherd said that he fathered the res
olutlon, and proceeded TO argue that the busi-
ness interests of the District would be benefited
If the consolidation of the cities Of Washington,
GEORGETOWN, and If possible Alexandria. were
united in one municipality. These interests,
which had heretofore ciashed, would work
harmoniously together. Whether the Govern
ment should be territorial or be vested in ap-
pointed commissioners, or a ruler TO be elected
by the people, are questions which might cause
a diversity of opinion, but the advantages of
consolidation were fully recognized by busl-
ness men and tax payers. Contiguous NUM-
cipalIties We're benefited by consolidation, as is
shown in the cases of New York, Brooklyn,
Philadelphia and other places. In the District
we have the corporations OF Washington and
Georgetown, the Levy Conrt, the Police Com
missioners, and the Commissioner Of Public
Bulldlngs-hNe distinct governments.
There was no harmony between the different
municipalities, and 10 have all united under
one head is desirable. Many of the leading
citizehs of the District favored the project
Some had asserted that il was political move.
be coniended that there were no politics here
and we had no political rights. This matter
be pd by he 10
but by tax payers and business men il would
be looked upon in a business point, and nine
tenths of them Were in favor OF the movement,
and he confidently believed nine-t of the
people Of the District would vote for il.
Mr.. :. Norment said that there was undoubt-
edly great unanimity among the people OF
Washington on the question, but he would like
TO hear from Georgetown.
MIR. Esau PIckrell, of GEORGETOWN, replied
that large proportion of the property holders
there were in favor of the movement, while
there was some little opposition. The interests
of ofWashington and Georgetown were identical,
and this fact was becoming more evident every
day. he could see nothing but good to result
The Chair (Mr. Riggs remarked that the
difficulty seemed TO be to get the matter in
proper shape, and be suggested that it would
be proper 10 get the views Of the people fret,
before the Board took action.
Mr.. Samuel Bacon urged that the Board Of
Trade was not the proper place from which
the movement should emanate, bat from the
people.
Mr.. Shepherd here offered a resolution re-
questing the committee OF the Board before
Congress TO urge upon that body the propreiy
OF eontolidatlng the municipalities Of Wash
Ington and Georgetown.
Mr. :. Bacon moved TO lay the resolution on
the table; but withdrew it. al the request of
Mr.. Mitchell, of Georgetown.
Mr.. Mitchell said he was favorable TO the
project, and that al the last meeting of the
Georgetown Councils he had introduced a reso-
lution looking to the consolidation OF the two
far In linda al.a-u
OF the Boards were in favor of the movement.
The resolution provided for the appointment
of committee of five TO take the subject under
consideration. Large numbers Were fayora-
BILE 10 this move, and the business interests of
the tow would be enhanced thereby. While he
thought that the Board of Trade was not the
place from which the movement should pro-
ceed, yet he was OF the opinion that the endorse
ment OF the Board would be of assistance to
the Corporate authorities. He would rather
GeorgetoWn be removed beyond the Allegha
ny than she should come hat in hand and ask ID
be taken in, but was willing that il should be
mutual. Many Georgetown people owned
property IN Washington. Georgetown offered
valuable considerations in her water power
her port Of entry, sc. IL was true that there
were diverse Interests. but on all material
points Washington and Georgetown agreed,
and If the interests of the Two cities were united
it would be worthy of the two names, and the
greatest name in nbistOry-GeOrge W Washington-
for We do not intend you shall have it (the
name) all yourselves.
Mr. Utermehie was at a loss to know what
kind of a government was proposed. If we
are TO inaugurate movement, let's agree as 10
what we want. He was satisfied with the pre-
sent system, and could not believe that there
was such clashing Of interests as had been re-
lerred 10. he supposed that the Board was
formed for commercial purposes, and he conld
not see how the proposed consolidation would
benefit commerce. He thought il a political
movement, and did not think that the Board
was the proper place 10 inaugurate it.
Mr.. Shepherd said he expected the cry OF
politics would be raised, for so il is when any
movement is inaugurated calculated TO benefit
the District He urged that the mo vement was
pure business one, and the people should
come mp like tax payers. He had never known
the time when there was not some clashing be-
tween some OF the authorities Of this District.
The city pays abont S606,OOO in licenses and
taxes, and If the municipalities were placed
under one good man, and Congress pay the
Governments proportion, the affairs of the
cities could be conducted creditably, and we
would get rid of a mass of corruption. AS for
political rights, We haven't any, and are not as
good as darkies. All we can do is TO look 70
our business interests. If the Board could do
anything it could express an opinion, and the
proposition ought to be entertained as a bust
ness prOposition-the Board representing mil
lions.
Mr.. Elvans said that while he believed in
the propriety Of the movement, he at the same
time doubted tie expediency OF the Board of
Trade taking the initiative, and he therefore
proposed to refer the subject 10 q committee of
tiye 10 act in conjunction with similar commit
would prevent the clashing of interests. He
believed Mr.. Brown had introduced a bill in
the Aldermen on the subject which embodied
the sentiments of the people.
Mr. j. II. SemInes asked IL this was not a
meeting Of the Beard of Trade, and moved TO
lay the resolution on the table, but withdrew it,
Mr.. Mitchell was clearly of the opinion that
this wss not the place for the proposition, and
he would simply ask an endorsement.
The chuir (Mr. Riggs)-You cannot endorse
a note, Mr.. Mitchell, before il is made.
Mr.. Mitchell replied that the note is made,
and il only needed a date.
Mr. Semmes thought the subject should be
discussed as private citizens.
Mr.. Shepherd said he would agreed to amend
the res olution SO that it would simply endorse
the movement.
The Chair said IT was rather outside the
Board Of Trades object, but he believed all
would sign petition for the purpose.
Mr.. =. Bacon moved to lay the whole
subject on the table, which was agreed to-Is
in the affirmative, i'm the negative.
Mr.. Mitchell offered q resolution declaring
that the board, in rejecting the resolution. did
so because they deemed the subject foreign to
the purposes OF organization, and not because
they entertained an unfavorable opinion there
to; adopted. .af
A paper was presented, signed by Mr.. Paul