The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-01-28

Town MEETISo.-A mass meeting Of the eitl
zens OF the town, in pursuance OF the resolution
held at New Market hall, last night. The hal
was well Allied, the number present being abou
400, among whom was many OF our Oldest resi-
dents.
The object Of the assembly was to discuss tn,
proposed changes In the District charter. Tn
in full force. Previous TO the meeting converting
knots Of persons were engaged in different part
OF the hsfl discussing the question OF "consolida
tion" or mo consolidation" without arriving
apparently, at any conclusion, although u,
major part Of the audience appeared fsvorabll
disposed to union Of the two cities,
was appointed president, who, on taking the
chair, read the call Of the meeting; after which
he said there were three propositions; nsst, "a,
retention Of the old charter; second, the Morrill
bill; third, the Harlan bill.
The vice presidents were Capt James Goddard
Wm H. Tenney, James A. Donnelly, and henI,
tary.
On motion, u committee to draft resolutions
B. MeGiIl nd J. Dent, were appointed said com
mittee, who retired, and upon returning submit
ted the followingi
Whereas measures are now pending in the Con.
gress Of the United States having In view the
abolition Of the several municipalities OF the
District of Columbia, and the consolidation Of
the same into one government, either by Federal
commissioners to Sc appointed by the President
and senate, or BY mayor and legislative coun.
s to be elected BY the people, and whcTes: In IL
industrial interests Of the people OF Georgetown
being wholly distinct from and antagonistic to
protection and development The perpetuation Of
our present separate and independent municipal
authority; therefore be II
Georgetown in mass meet Ing assembled, without
distinction Of class or party do hereby earnestly
but respectfully demonstrate against the adop.
ment Of this District which would deprive US Of
the enjoyment Of our amount Of franchise as a
separate and independent corporation; and we
humhly pray that inasmuch as we have never
presumed to interfere with our neighbors In the
management Of their own interests we may still
DC to sNss, ana 20
corded to our ancestors In the past century, sub:
ject only to such laws a. Congress has enacted
SoyerS y n tn as distinc, municipslity. ' '1
Rssoired, That, thankful for past benefits, and
fully recognizing the supreme and exclusive
crai Constitution, in and over this District, the
chairman OF this meeting be requested to appoint
select committee OF three citizens to give ex-
mortal to Congress or otherwise; and that said
committee be authorized to act separately or In
conjunction with committee appointed by me
corporation, MS they may think most conducive
to the accomplishment OF the objects herein
proposed.
The reading of the above WAS received with APP
Capt. James H. Goddard read from the Courier
q memorial presented to Congress one year ago
memorial was signed by Messss. Henry d. Cooke,
Henry Addison, Esau Pickrcll, G. NJ. Matthews
John N. Stake moved that the report OF the
committee be accepted. Carried.
Mr.. U. NJ. Matthews said that before the vote
be taken upon the adoption OF the resolutions he
Resolved, That committee OF three citizens be
appointed by the Chair to ask Of Congress a sus-
pension Of action upon all pending bill, rtnt ,Sg
make known their wishes in the premises,
GEORGETOWN p be-, and they are hereby, requested
70 order special election to ascertain the sense
II the people upon the question OF change In
Rotary Of this meeting Is hereby directed to Ger.
tify these resolutions to the Mayor, to be by him
communicated to the Board Of Aldermen and
Hoard of Common Council for their action.
Mr. A. Hyde was called on, but said he was
not prepared to get at the depth Of so important
subject from the time Of the call to the present
Ing adjourn, 1t be to Monday night next, when he
would endesyor to explain how he stood.
time to lose, and he hoped the subject would be
"' Captain GODDARD said 1t was his impression
there would be an adjourned meeting, but to ad
journ for aweek would render void all that might
be done tonight, AS Congress might think We
were trihing with them, and pass bill OF some
sort He hoped MT Hyde would consent to al.
journ to Wednesday night.
Mr.. Hyde withdrew his motion, and the qucs-
tIcn being put, that when the meeting ADJOURN
DR.. g. ii. Cragin being called on, SAID the mat,
ter OF the charter was a subject which he had
resolutions, as he thought the people Of George
town would be benefited by union with wash
lngton. He could see no reason why george.
snoa than As sny ward o or the
Navy Yard. He thought the separate licenses
which merchants had to pay were SO many re.
Nv DAT In nnp liz m n
would answer both Washington and Georgetown.
Looking at 1t In that light, he asked II 1t would
not be an advantage to have annexation: any
the result OF Washington being the head OF the
nation, while Georgetown was not. George.
400, 600 The debt Of Washington was about
Georgetown would be llghtened In comparison
said si IL Georgetown was a ward Of Washington
1t would have influence with the National Legis-
lAturc, which Is now denied IT; iiwewere part
erected on the Heights, as it would bring resi-
dents from Washington In our midst. lie knew
there was home feeling but aoa w wSC
the charter of Washington was about to expire,
let all see the advantages that Will accrue to the
WIN. ii. Tenncy was introduced, who said that
he had lived in the town for over half century,
and he was old enough not to favor change
IAppiause.l In regard TO the license question,
he said IL a person In Washington desired to do
business In two or three markets in that city, he
would have TO procure three separate licenses.
He asked what the rate Of taxes was In wash
ington.
said sl.25,l
Resuming, Mr.. Tenney said that the taxes
here were sl,lI, which was higher than usual
lie thought the defeat OF the Morrill, bill fore
gone conclusion.
The people would not submit to be governed
by commissioners. He had seen enough Of
that In the Police Board, who refused to extend
licences when asked for. lie did not think any
OF the public buildings would be removed TO
Georgetown, any more than the navy yard would
be removed here. The only public building was
the post office, which was secured by former
mayor. He did not think the Government would
do any more in the way OF public buildings In
Gcorgetown than II has done In the firs ward
Mr., Hyde said the speaker was mistaken In
his geography, as the Presidents house, Trea-
sury, War Department, and other colossal pubic
buildings were in the First ward.
Mr.. Tenney said he did notknow the boundary
Of the First wardi but nature had made this u
town, and the people were a commercia al one.
Congress made Washington, but God made
Georgetown. lie spoke at some length In re.
gard to the post oihce and custom. house, and
said by consolidation these advantages and con-
yeniences would be taken away. Wash ington
has to pay water rent, while this town Is free
from thattax. Mr.. I. referred to the disposition
OF Washington In endeavoring to cripple the
town In Its commerce by an endeavor 10 build a
sea-wal across the channel In order to divert the
,urrant an tho Warrington side, In hllubtOu to