The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-07-17

Every member Will perceive that this Is
most exorbitant sum 10 wrest by taxation, In
addition TO tho large Internal tax of the gen.
eral government, from the property holders
and business men of this city, and If mem.
bers be guided by the considerations which
usually influence legislators In the discharge
Of their duties, they will not hesitate TO mod
ify the cxtravagant rates named In the bill.
That 1t has not been properly examined,
that II was introduced and subsequently, re-
ported from the Committee on Finance with
out proper consideration of the financial
condition or requirements Of the corporation,
is apparent from its provisions. The change
Of our financial basis, resulting from val
uatlon of eighty millions In lieu OF fory-six
| millions, does not appear to have received
much II any consideration from the authors
of this bill.
Take, for instance, the proposed assess
ment for general purposes. II should be re-
membered that the moneys derived from
licenses, fines and some other sources,
amounting annually to about ego, 900, arc
all credited 10 this fund, which Is of course
augmented to said amount over and above
the direct assessment on property. The
property assessment last year on this ac-
count was s2g9, 900, add the licenses, &C.,
and we have $4,000. The property assess
ment now proposed 10 e52O, 900, which, with
the licenses, &c, make $740, 200. The cx-
cess Of taxation under this head Ia, there
fore, 1921 900; and the absence OF any ne
cessity for this large increase will become
the more manifest from an examination Of
the expenditures on this account for the four
years Immediately preceding the last year,
(for which tho official report Is not yet pre-
pared.) In no single year have these ex-
penditures exceeded $3.50, 900, and the aver
age for the four years Is less than 1901 900.
| No substantial reason can be assigned for
now providing s74o, 900 for this fund.
Again, the amount proposed for gas Is
some f25,0O0 In excess Of the sum re.
qulred for the purpose. There was on the
fund, which, added to the proposed assess.
ment, would be 100000. propose to re.
duce this assessment 10 ESQ 900, which, with
the balance on hand, will be about fS2, 900
Next comes the assessment for the Metro
politan police, which Is 900 or $50, 900 In
excess OF the amount required. Their pay
is regulated by an act Of Congress, and, desir.
ing that the law shall be complied with and
the police promptly paid, propose to reduce
which think will be sufficient, as there
were $4,000 to the credit Of this fund on the
31st of May.
The assessment proposed for the public
schools Is too low. | propose to increase II
from 5000, 900 TO 1904 900, so that we may
be enabled to disconnect the schools from
the general fund, out Of which their ex
pcnses have heretofore been In part paid
leading to confusion In the accounts, ant
rendering 1t impossible to pay the teac h
er5 with that promptitude essential to theil
comfort and the credit Of the corporation.
The assessment proposed for school
houses tl20 OOO) Is en2EQensly high. Or
the 3lst Of May thsls 3e{6sNOO0 10 tn,
credit Of that fund, hat there wal
no Indebtedness. The F2fHRlin school house
is nearly completed, and there Is no othel
school-house OF importance In course Of cree
ton. propose to reduce this assessment t
$40, 900.
And, lastly, the bill proposes to asses,
go, 900 to pay one tenth part Of the debt o
$500, 900 created by the late Issue OF bonds
There is already surplus to the credit O
that fund of $4,000 or $4,000. Every on,
knows that CSC, 900 Is the tenth of $500, 900
Why, then, assess 900, 900, which, added ;,
last years assessment now remaining to tn,
credit Of the fund, would be to provide $3.50,
900, when the law requires us to provide onl!
$40, 000i
think that this excess of 100000 hal
better remain In the pockets OF the people
and therefore propose to reduce the presen
assessment to $4,000. 1t should not be for
gotten that these bonds were not Issued until
the LIST Of January last-only six months
ago.
These amendments, II they shall meet tn
approval Of the Board, will reduce the pro
posed taxation $3.50, 900, and still afford th,
administration $4,000 from this source II
excess Of the means provided last year, ant
be equivalent to s2il 900 In excess Of tn,
assessment in the last year Of Mr.. Wallach'i
administration.
The bill, II amended as propose, would
make an assessment for the purpose above