Evening star., 1870-01-13
ID In EnSlorsed by Congressional Com.
mttteeS.
Public Meeting 90 be Held 90 Con.
sideF lt.

Pursuant to a cali inviting the business men
Of this city to meet with a view Of conference
on the interests Of the District before Congress,
a number OF the leading citizens and promi-
nent business men assembled at Kilbourn n
Latta's rooms last evening. Among those pre-
sent were Messrs. s. p. Brown, A. b. Mullett,
H. A. Williams, Zephaniah II. Jones, Geo. II.
Plant, w. III. Clagett, A. X. Shepherd, X. NJ.
Hall, DR.. Lindsly, DIR. G. +. Stansbury, &. \.
Noyes, Edward Temple, Thomas B. Bryan, NJ.
G. Emery, w. l.. Mattingly, s. III. Kaufman,
Hallett kilbourn, A. NJ. Clapp, Alexander Ray,
and Hon. Gov. Williams, Of Indiana, of the
District Committee Of the House of Repre-
sentatiyes
The meeting was called to order by Hallet Kill
bourn, ESQ, on whose motion :. p. Brown,
was chosen chairman, and Crosby 5. Soyes,
secretary.
Mr.. Brown, on taking the chair, stated the
object OF the meeting TO be the preparation OF
some general plan by which the interests OF the
District of Columbia could be advanced before
Congress The District Committees of Congress
had intimated that an expression of the views
of the citizens of the District was desirable.
Among the things before the Committee for
consideration, and which were also worthy Of
the consideration of the meeting, was the sub
ject of a reorganization OF the city government.
Some Of the members Of these committees IA
and Council appointed by the President and
lower boardelectedb by the people. Mr.. h. stated
that both Committees on the District of Colum-
bia in Congress were in favor Of making inn
PrOvements i'm our streets, and that they will at
an early day report i'm favor OF paving Pennsyl-
vania avenue. This meeting was called by, and
intended TO be OF, such classes of residents who
had no axes to grind, and whose influence would
he exerted for the good of the city. The other
subjects which might be considered were the
appropriations for the public schools, the i'm
ing of a new market house, and the improve
ment Of the river and harbor.
DIR. Lindsly stated that he had had CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Hamlin, chairman OF the Sem
ate Committee on the District, who had ex-
pressed the opinion that the members of the
Council under territorial government should
ever, favored a Governor and Advisory Board,
to be appointed by the President and confI med
by the Senate, and a lower board, to be elected
by the people, as compromise between the
proposed plan to govern the District by Com
missioners and our present form of government
than which anything would be better. He
would therefore, to bring the matter before the
meeting, move that a acommittee be appointed TO
consider the matter and report to future meet
ing.
change of views of tax payers before a commit
tee was appointed and thought for that purpose
II would be better to arrange for public meet
ing OF citizens.
Mr.. A. X. Shepherd thought that the matter
required great deal of time and research. In
consolidating three branches of government
IT would be necessary to act thoughtfully to
prevent any complaint of injustice. For in
stance Georgetown would not want to be saddled
with the debt of Washington; and the county,
which is now free from debt, would not want TO
take the debt Of either Washington or George
town.
In regard to the mode of reorganizing the
government of the District, he weuld say that
he was on the committee two years ago ap-
pointed for the consideration of the same oues-
ton, and he had said then that IL the plan of
government by commissioners was presented, il
would be defeated because ii did not provide for
representation 10y the people. The result had
proved the truth of his words. He believed now
that IL would not be practicable to get Congress
District that did not in some shape provide for
popular representation. The only plan feasible,
in his opinion, was modified form of terrific
rial government, I'm which the Governor and
perhaps the upper branch should be appointed
by the President, and the other branch made
elective. This would give representation both
change cannot be effected in the conduct of
affairs here, he did not know where we should
drift to, unless to utter ruin.
Dr. Lindsly suggested that, az the session OF
Congress was 30 far advanced, IL was requisite
to have prompt action. He would move the ap-
pOintment Of a committee of nine to perfect
arrangements for public meeting.
Gov. Williams, OF Indiana, was invited to ad-
dress the meeting. He stated that he was not
fully aware OF the objects OF the meeting, and
would say, however, that he felt a warm inter
est i'm the welfare Of the people Of the District,
and he believed that the members Of the Con-
gressional District Committees were In favor of
the people here having such form of govern
ment as they want.
The motion of DIR. Lindsly for tn. appoint
ment Of committee was agreed to, and the
Chair designated the following gentlemen upon
it-From Washington-Dr. II. Lindsly, Messrs.
VIM. b. Todd, Hallet kilb0urn, Matthew q.
Emery, and VIM. II. Philip; Georgetown--
Messrs. w. III. Tenney, James A. Magruder, and
Esau Pickerell; County-Dr. c. HI. Nichols.
Mr.. Emery said he favored any change that
would benefit the city of Washington-and al
most any change would-but as he had i'm the
opinion adverse to the plan Of a Commissioner
ship form Of government, he would ask to be
excused from serving on this committee.
OF Mr.. Emery, and on motion Of Mr.. Kilbourn,
MI. 5. r. Brown was appointed as chairman Of
Mr.. Kilbourn gave an account OF an inter-
view held by himself and other citizens with
Senator Hamlin, when the latter expressed him
self very decidedly in favor of a territorial
form form Of government for the District, with a
tislature ele ted by the people. The question
was raised " lether the upper house Of the Le-
gislature she uld not be appointed as well as the
Governor. lIr. Hamlin said that was a matter
that had not presented itself, but he would take
IL into consideration.
Mr.. shepherd said that members Of Congress
avow without hesitation that they have no time
to attend to District matters, or to familiarize
themselves with the interests of the District.
and would very gladly delegate the power Of
dealing with them to some competent District
government.
Mr.. Kilbourn stated that Senator Morton was
IN favor Of allowing the District a deleeate in
Congress, who, being familiar with District i'm
terests, would be able to present them intell-
The Chair said that the matter Of our public
school interests was one Of the points for consid
Grafton. He thought Congress would be dis
posed to grant public lands for the District Of
Columbia, having given nothing Of the kind Tor
schools here a. had been done for schools else-
where.
Mr.. Shepherd thought they had better take
one thing at q time, and confine their attention
now 10 the subject Of the change Of the mode OF
The Chair stated that early action va d.
sirable i'm blocking out measures to present for
the consideration Of the District Commiffees
The Senate Committee would meet on Fr,asv
next, and had expressed a wish to exchange
views with our citizens as to the leeislafion
needed for the District.
ME-. Hall said II was understood that the Pres
ident would send . message TO ConRreee in rs-
gard TO legislation for the District OF Cojumhts
He thought Il important that the committee an
pointed tonight should wait upon the Pres5-
dent, and cal1 his attention % the sne-
cial grievances and dif1culties under which ne
labor. He would make . motion 10 that efIeef:
carried.
Mr.. Han suggested that the committee urre
upon Congres the passage Of . bill repeating
tne present usury laws. 0emben saw they are
ready fo Al a. a., -. -~s ~