Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-13

ment and as temporary residents, and who 90
not contribute cent to their support Avail
themselves OF The means OF education aforsed
by the corporation for their children; many OF
this class would gladly contribute something
toWards the fostering OF this institution. and
those who would not should be compelled.
The only way TO reach them is for Consreee 10
empower this corporation TO levy Q epeSisl
capitation tax on all male residents over twen-
,y.one years, for the purposes Of public esu-
cation The grant Of such power would, i am
Certain, bc not abused hy the corporation, and
would not be Objectionable.
In TINS oonnexlon, would point out, with
WV OF having II rcmCdied, the injustice done,
couoiirss hurriedly and without being advised,
ny the action OF Congress in altering the law
cation Of ColoIed children.
Under former provisions flaw, tact of Nav
20, 1862, section \, the propriety OF which "a
admitted by all. this corporation set apart from
the taxes on real and personal property owned
by colored persons in this city, for the purpese
OF educating colored children, the same propor-
tionate part was set apart from the taxes
paid by white persons for the purpose OF edu-
eating white children. Congress, however.
at lis last session (act Of June IS, 1864, section
lS) repealed this equitable provision, and dI-
rected that the cor porate authorities of the
cities of fGeorgetowntsnd Washington thereafter
''set apart from the whole fund received by
then from all sources applicable under exist
ing provisions Of law TO purposes OF public
education, such pr0portIonate part thereof
for the education of colored children the
number OF COlOred children in the respective
CltleS, between the ages OF six and seventeen
years, bears 10 the whole number of children
thereof Under my Constru ction Of this sec
tiUn of this last act of Congress the trustees Of
colored schools OF this city are entitled 70 re-
ceIYe fronthls corporation for the purpose OF
educating Colored children amount more
than twice as much a the whole aggregate OF
taxes paid by all the colored persons of this
cliy; while under the construction put upon IL
by the trustees of colored schools, which they
clam, they would be entitled to receive an
amount more than four times greater than the
whele aggregate OF taxes paid by colored per-
sons. Whilst the corporate authorities OF Wash
ington have been ever ready and willing 10 do
all that can, with propriety and Justice, be re-
quIred OF them iomeliorate and amend the con-
dition of the colored population of this city.
and provide for their Intellectual culture and
Improvement, il is reluctant TO 90 this a; so in
ordinate cost 10 the white tax payer.
Whilst Congress has been liberal, and grant
ed large sums and tracts of the public lands 10
several Of the States and Territories, for the
given 10 this city, from which il obtained so
much, a dollar, and has given away, without
consideration, valuable franchises-the inhe-
rent Tight and property Of this city-which
would have yielded sufficient TO support and
maintain all its public schools.
In this conneXion i would ask, that when
ever, hereafter, any grant by way, of a fran
chise is made of any privilege in this city, it be
conditioned on obtaining the consent of the city
authorities thereto.
In this way, would not only the city be pro-
tected, but a revenue legitmately derived
which would materially assist in fostering our
public schools"
We regret not having room to-day 70 notice
the important statements and recommendations
of Mayor Wallach in regard 10 the Market
House, Sewerage, Fire Department. &c, &c