Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-18

WALLS OPKEA HoUsK-The Wauach-Da-
Venport combination in ''Othsllo.'
District Government-The Qaestlon of Ex.
tending the Charter.
large meeting Of prominent business men
and taxpayers OF this city was held last even
,BE at Metzerott Hall, for the purpose of COM
pairing views a. to the form OF government
rno~t desirable for the District of Columbia, at
kr Tie expiration Of the present charter, in May
Dtat. There were prssent about one hundred
persons anCpg whom We noticed DR. O. III
Nichols, DIR. Harvey Lindsey, Matthew g.
Emery. Moses Kelly, Joseph NJ. Brown. Geo.
II. Plant, James Towles, CLARK Mills, C.. b.
Church, j. T. Mitchell, of Georgetown. Col.
A q. Allen. Col. Wright Rives, J. H. Elyans,
Vim Wall r. Il. MEG ulrr, John McD.rmott
James MeDermott- VIM. q. Metzerott j. p
k1bourne, d. NJ Kelsey, J. NJ Latta- = III
Nannmann- Owen Thorn, Lewis Clephane, L.
t ~, u,anan, w. ). Knees, J. b; Mohun, A. r.
bcoNer, John W. Thompson, Col W. Ii. Phil
Up, A. *. Shepherd, Samuel Normsnt, and
ot1fr prominent and wealthy citizens of this
District
h Shepherd, and, on his motion, Dr. c. III
Hnehols was called 10 the chair, and said for
The information Of those who did not attend the
Two previous meetings of "A similar character,
that they were held with a view of ebtaining
an expression Of opinion of the leading citizens
OF Ibis District in reference to changing the
form OF government for the District. Those meet
Ings were attended by persons who held prop
eriy, men OF intelligence, and those ha wing most
nj stake IN the community. As the charter of
ihe city OF ashington expired in May next, it
was tnought the opportunity was favorable
one TO obtain any change the citizens might
think desirable. AT the last meeting a COM
n.ittse was appointed to report plan of gov
srnms nj for the District, which could BE- trans
nstfd TO Congress. There was a pleasant in
srehange OF views, but it was thought best not
20 mature plan at that time.
nr. h Nj. Hall was chosen secretary of the
meeting
Col ". III. Phillip, chairman of the commit
lee appointed at the last meeting, said he had
harmed only yesterday that he had been chosen
TO make the report OF the committee He did
not have time 10 write out the report, but would
give the facts and arguments by which the
committee had come TO a unanimous conclu-
son IN regard TO plan of government for the
District Of Columbis: At the last meeting there
were diverse views a. 10 the best form of gov
sTnment- A number favored "A territorial form
OF government for the District, which was To
have Governor, appointed by the President
and legislative Assembly, 10 be chosen by
The people. On the other hand, majority of
rbose present favored the commissioner form
of government, which was TO have commits
sboners appointed by the President and do
away with elections altogether. The COM
mlttee appointed then subsequently, had
meeting, and n subcommittee was APPOINTED
10 draw up q bill embodying the Territorial
sorm OF government. and another committee
appointed to draw up 4 bill embodyiny the
commissioner form of government. The latter
committee reported the morrill, bull: that is the
bill which had been reported in the Spnat. nv
n
Nored This bill: MIR. VIM. b. Todd. as a member
OF the committed, made some amendments. Mr.
a h Shfphard suggested others; and the bill
With the amendments, had beea agreed upon by
me committee Instead of three commission.
srs. a. provided for in the bill il was suggested
that nNe or seven be appointed; but a majority
OF me committee favored hve-two of whom
should D. residents of the District, with a proD.
erty qualification of nj least $1,000 and NOT
kss than five years residence here. two
others TO b. detailed from the engineer corps
IL the army, one of whom should be Conn
missioner Of Public Buildings; and the fifth
member TO be from the country AZ iaree
BY this arrangement II was thought that the
interests of all would he harnonizad The
foilce Board should remain substantially a.
now: the schools 10 De- governed by commits
sscntrs' the debts OF the city 10 be provided
Tor by funded debt bearing six per cent.
interest; the Government of the I'm tied States
10 pay Its proportion for the improvement of
sheets, IN lieu of taxes. If the bill could mass
IN that shape-and he understood Mr. Morrill,
was an favor of It-h- would suggest that n
committee he appointed TO perfect the hill and
make II acceptable 10 all. OF the commas
slohrTS- one (aS suggested by DIR. NichoIsl
-nouIu " PRESIDING commissioner, and receive
a larger salary; the others 10 he assoclates The
presiding commissioner to preside over all the
other boards. and thus carry knowledge of
Inc Workings of all the departments with him,
and enable them TO work harmonIousIy II
would BE- his duty to be on hand AZ All Times
and deV Ote his undiy ided attention To eoverning
his city He would be- the responsible head
matter Col. Il. said all the members of tbs
committee bur one Were IN favor of this bill
and he suggested that another committee be- an
pointed 10 the bill In detail and pet from
S'h1lfIntn mere Tonight such amendments a.
deemed advisable. which could ie embodied in
the bill. thus making il perfect i'm ALI its narts
II nus oiL passed he felt confident there would
% a great improvement on our CITY govern.
mrni, and IN 4 few years the CITY Of WASHING.
ton would be what II should, the great rnetror,
obs OF the country. tApplau sci Col Phillips
Z" meant 10 say government of the entire Ms
Hlet. IL was agreed at the last meeting 10
accommodated the consolidation of All the
corporations in the District
Mr.. Samuel Norrnent offered the folIovina.
HsSCLred, As the sense of this meeting con
Srned Tor the purpose of sugg.-stin1 a nI,n for
me trONernmrnt of the District OF Columbia
that renewal oi the present charter IL ipex.
psdient-
The Chair suggested that IL would he pron.r
10 hrstacCept the report of the COMMITTEE
Ar. A IL shepherd said rs the comuittaa
had not been appointed by this meeting he
thought II would h. proper to vote on Mr. Nor.
nrnts resolution. which would be a good basIs
20 D. gln upon.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Nornent was
adopted. wa"
The report submitted by Col. Phillips was
lhru taken up. and
hr. j. i. Mitchell said the committee had M,
made The report for the action of this MEETING
i De chairman of the committee had ranorted
ne OIL with amendments and suggested maj
q tff
ior completion. He thought II shouId ~. com
pseted, and the committee which now had n in
hand were better suited for the work than any
CHER. He moved that the bill BE- referred hal
to The committee with instructions for tbar1 70
complete the same "
DR.. Lindsey thought the committee sbo,Id
haNs power 10 act and have the bill passed III
vas not necessary for them TO call this mee,ino
again.
Mr.. j. 7. Mitchell thought there WAS annie
I'M u'iOrs VA. Charter expired. 1t would be
otiisr 10 hold another meeting and considsr
The bill after II was perfected before snb,ni,,
iEg u 10 Congress. He would like To 500 ~
bal and hear an expression of opinIon unoni -
before ihe same should h. submitted m On
sTeSS. =" NOh-
Dr. Lindsey said The bill was generauy mn
q. rs;oOd a. 70 thr details. and hall a dozen M
sons could peTfsc CO the same better than a r.,
Iaeeflng iA e
Mr. j. II. kilbOurne moved thar the general
lea;uFts OF thr Morrill, bill, a. reported nv tn.
committee he recOmm. nded.
MY q. J.. Walker thou gbt the commissioners
10 De appointed should b. n corporate bodv IN
sse and b" sued, 10 hold rial estate Sc and
hen redrsss could te obtained yithout ami
ing 10 tongrrss. He thought the nr,,,..ry,,
C"h'd by his city, Georgetown and county
was sufficient TO pay all debts He had some
ooLbt whether an army officer wouId no
detailed "a commissioner. but was in favor nf
having such a man in the board a. General
hiChleF These commissioners yould ba~s
'ntIre control of all property and IL vvouIJ ~.
csst 20 nave them body corporate
MI Samuel NoTment offered a. AN smana
ne bt 20 has resolution. the folIoyUfn1- ..An,a