The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-11
The District ofCOIumbia.

The District OF Columbia.
From the Tribune.
II Congress intends to approach radical
solution Of the problem of reconstruction, 1t VIII
doubtless begin at the centre OF Things, and
ordain, as soon as possible, equal rights Tor tue
colored people OF the District OF Columbia The
objection of the President was the only reason
for deferrlng last session, measure OF such
instant and familiar necessity to Congress ITSELF
but as the Presidents veto can no longer en-
danger any well-advised measure, the speedy
decree of suffrage must be looked upon as
matter of course, The progress and develop
ment Of this question up to the present session
of Congress, we will here state briefly. The tirs5
bill in behalf of the colored people Of the Dis
trict introduced in the XXXIXth Congress was
by Judge william D. Kelley, and is as follows:-
UBe it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States OF America
in Congress assembled, That from ~ laws and
parts OF laws prescribing the qualifications of
electors for any office iD the District OF Columbia,
the word white be and the same is hereby
stricken out, and that from and after the passage
OF this act no person shall be disqualified IRON
voting at any election held in the SAID District
on account of color.
"Section 2. And be it further enacted, That
all acts of Congress and all laws OF the State Of
Maryland in force in said District, and all ordI-
nances of the cities of Washington and George
town inconsistent with the provisions ofthis act,
are hereby repealed and annulled.n
This COR pre- ehensve and compact measure was
presented on the 9Th of December, 1865, and
passed the House January 49, 1866, by two
thirds vote 1t was there read the first time,
and sent in due form to the District of Columbia
Committee, of which Senator Morrill, is Chair
man. 1t was reported February 2l without
amendment, read a second time, and now stands
among the first bills on the calendar.
On the 25th of January last, Senator Morrill,
rnnOrfnd q hill N lpuia alatiVa nO
delegated to the cities of Washington and
Georgetown and the Levy Court in the District
OF Columbia This bill provides for the repeal
of the city charters, and, in brief, the govern
ment of the District by means of direct Con-
gresslonal Commission. The officers proposed
are three Commissioners, Private Secretary of
the President for the District (flling in some
sort the Secretaryship of State), Solicitor,
Assessor, Collector, Treasurer, Controller Engi-
neer or Surveyor, Superintendent of Police, of
Weights and Measures, OF Streets and High
ways, of Water Department and Fire Engineer.
Boards of Health and Education are also pro-
vided. These officers to be appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate in the
usual mode. The powers granted to them are
IN effect those commonly delegated TO municipal
and county authorities. This bill (Senate, 97)
was recommitted, amended, and reported to the
Senate May 9, 1866. 1t now stands upon the
calendar tor action, and will be disposed of at
an early day.
There are many persons who desire the pas
sage OF this measure. The character OF the
municipal authorities of Washington Is almost
as bad at that of New York. 1t is affirmed by
public men conversant with civic legislation that
the Jobs are as great and the ring as perfect,
proportionately to opportunity, as in this city.
Many doubt also, whether manhood suffrage
will in the District effect a cure. The idea is
entertained that even with the colored vote the
old pro-Southern and corrupt influences will
prevail for longer period than is desirable,
Again, there is O reasonable argument that no
municipality can properly make this "clty of
magnificent distances" what it should be. To
pave, light, and establish proper and efficient
system OF sewerage, ETC., would, it is believed,
beggar the property holders, especially when it
is remembered that the general Government
owns very large percentage of the real estate
that on which the public buildings are situated,
and other ground not yet publicly occupied.
There is at least S5O, ,OOO, 600 worth of National
property in the District, all of which is, of
course, untaxable for civic or county purposes.
1t will be urged as a principal reason for the
passage of Senator Morrilrs bill, that only by
means of direct Congressional commission can
the Federal District and capital be made worthy
of the nation; while, at the same time, citizens
residing in Washington will not be rated at
more than an equitable proportion of the taxa
tion to be incurred for what is held to be q
national duty.
Congress has passed several laws providing for
colored schools pro rata division of the Dis
trict taxes; but every provision appears 10 have
been ingeniously and industriously evaded by
the municipal authorities. The subject, there
fore, must be again reviewed by Congress- and
oOuC pOslIiNC u6ISTmlutu WHICH can
not be practically annulled by disloyal qulbble.
Senator Wilson introduced bill in the Senate
last session, granting million of acres of the
public lands for the endowment of the District
schools, providing for the issue of scrip, pro-
ceeds of which to be invested in United States
stocks, the capital to remain undminlshed, aud
the interest TO be applied 60 the maintenance of
schools, without distinction of color or race.
This bill was amended and reported back to the
Senate, where it remains to be fully considered
On the leading question, we have the radical
measure proposed by Judge Kelley, and the
Hon. w, A. Darlings bill for the election of a
delegate to Congress from the District by all
male persons twenty-one years of age citizens
of the United States, and resident for one year
in the District. The essence Of these bills has
found wide favor in Congress, and we trust that
before Congress enters into any wholesale legis-
lation over he subject of reconstruction, it will
administer instant and specific justice nearer
home. delegate from the District of Colum-
bla may be an individual ornament as costly as
useless, but this depends materially on what
Congress proposes to do with the present muni-
clpal governments of the District.
The South and the Situation.
From the Times.
If the Southern journals reflect correctly thu