Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-08

Home. and on past Roch Greek Church, in
eludipg Mrs. SAuncers' hill the Oourt found
in amost shocfing condition: in this rosd, near
7th street turnpike, another Government M ule
was drowned; d 10 nov fne read as one
need to travel, and the s.Saunders hillv has az
most entirely disappeared.s Mr.. s. spoke also
OF what had been done on the 18th street road,
now as hne one as can be found ia the yicini-
" OF Phfiadeipnta; Also, Of the Broad Branch
road on which two canals pad been cot throsgh
call attention TO the aae road the Court had
made from the Navy YARD Bridee 20 the
Insane Asylum, a work OF which any body
permanent stone culverfs or bridges bad been
constructed which had stcod the severest test
unipJnred. Mr. :. said he begged the people
interested in having good highways 10 contrast
now with thoee in the county four years ago,
and with these now m the adjoining countses.
During eonsiderable portion OF the time be
he d been a member OF this Court we bad been
engaged in a gigantic civil war; Immense
numbers of troops had been from time 70 time
encamped IN and around Wa-hiBgton; thou
SANDS OF army wagons were passing daily over
cur roads, cntiing them mp In the most re ehless
manner by their locked W heels, and putting Us
10 the expense of frequent repairs. While Gov
eminent largely aided the city in repairing the
streets scarcely any AID was given 20 the county
In brief. Mr.. = said. they had found the roads
in most shocking condition; they were now
nearly equal (eome Of them quite eQuall %
those around Philadelphia or Boston, :
And now, as TO taxes. Good reads cannot be
made without money; but a considerable por-
non OF the money expended In 1853 and wss
derived, not from taxes. but from fines levied
on persons selling liquor TO soldiers. This
source OF supply was obtained through the an
nuence OF member Of this Court It was,
however, necessary TO raise money for general
purposes by levying taxes; namely, for roads.
Tor defraying the expenses of the Orphans
against this Court in favor OF tue Coroner.
amounting to eight or nine thousand dollars
one quarter OF which the county was liaele for
hat haGt t.Ar
has been presented by the Coroner Of about
Sl2,uO. for his fees accruing subsequent 70
the commencement OF the suit, in which jude-
ment bad been obtained, ana we have PAID
Also found another debt due 10 the old Collec-
tor q Taxes. for commissions, OF some $500.
which we have also paid. OF course taxes had
10 be levied to meet all this. But the Court
was compelled by acts OF Congress TO levy
other taxes also 70 wit: a school tax, a tax for
the support OF The District police, and a tax
10 meet the direct tax legIeo by ACT
of Congress on the District of Colombia; our
portion. and the portion of Georgetown, of
ihls tax have been paid into the u. -. Treas
nry; while the poruoa belonging TO Washing
ton TO pay, though raised by a tax on the peo-
pie, has not been paid. Thus, IL will be seen.
SAID hr. b, that when came into this court
ihe county was largely IN debt. Ii is now
nearly free from debt, and if the amount due
to the court from the city OF Washington for
monies advanced couId be obtained. IL would
be able TO pay every dollar il now owes. and
nave surplus OF several thousand dollars in
its treasury.
This Mr.. s. said, would. perhaps, be the last
time he should act as a mem Der Of the court
PecunarIly, there was object to be gained
by being member, and much responsibility.
perplexity and labor devolved upon them: nut
he had been ambitious to effect reforms an the
county, and If reappointed, should take pleas
ure In acting with those he had been acting
with for four or five years, co-opera-
ung with them in all good works The
roads were now generally in such ex-
cellent condition, and Were made so per
manent, that II would hereafter cost but
little 10 keep them in repair. In additien TO
this school houses had been erected in every
part OF the county, so that the expenses would
be m uch lessened, both as 10 roads and schools
and the taxes might therefore b. decreased
Our fine roads had invited citizens 70 go into
the county, erect dwelling houses and make
Improvements; these improvements greatly
enhance the taxable value OF property in
the county, so that with a less rate of taxation.
an equal or even a larger amount OF money
may be raised. and he should retire from ths.
court II not re-appointed, with the conscious
ness that he had oone hIs duty faithfully, as a
member OF the court while he had been i'm n
both 10 the city and the county.
With many thanks ts his associates who
had done him the honor 10 make him their pre-
siding officer for three years past, he SAID he
retired from the court.