Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-03-17
The Press OF the Country upOn the
District Government.

1t Is worthy OF notice that, without exception.
the correspondents here who represent the lead
ing journals Of the country, and whose training
necessarily makes them impartial and yigilant
observers, have given their testimony to the ne
cessity for some such plan Of government for the
District as the territorial mode now proposed, if
1T is ever to be lifted out Of the present discour
aging quagmire. The following is clipped from
the Washington correspondence Of the New
York Herald:
"a worse governed city than Wash
ington probably does not exist in the United
states. The rate of taxation Is q dollar and
forty five cents on the hundred This, however,
water tax or the tax for paving and improving
streets, and many other speciaities. In return
the citizens get really nothing for their money
cleaned. badly lighted, and certain nights when
the almanacs say the moon should shine, there
are no lamps lighted at all, whether the pro-
gramme OF the almanac Is carried out or not. In
snort, there are no comforts, no convenences
such as are common in other cities with a popu.
lation Of 10000. Perhaps the old adage that
too many cooks spoil the broth" was never bet
ter Illustrated than in the government of the
District There are really five distinct govern
ments, including that Of Congress. There is the
city government, the Board of Police Commits
soners, the Levy Court, the municipal govern
ment Of Georgetown, the Board of Health, all
independent of each other, and very often pull
ing in different directions.
The property owners, tired of this state of
affairs, have started a movement to get Terri
torial government from Congress. 1t is pro-
posed to consolidate all the little powers that
be- into one, have a Territorial council and a
delegate on the floor OF Congress SO far as
Congress is concerned, that body pays about as
much attention to the affairs Of the District as
1t does TO those of the New Dominion 1t has,
to be sure, committee in each House on the
District of Columbia but that committee sell
dom meets, and its reports are usually laid aside
for what is considered more important business
In fact, the District gets no show in Congress at
an si and 1t Is LETT prey for the greedy polti-
"The matter has been brought to the atten-
ton of Congress and meets with a good deal of
favor, especially in the Senate. There is no
argument needed to convince Congressman that
the present government Is inefficient and tha.
any change would be for the better. Any person
who lives here for few months will be satisfied
Of that fact. The stock in trade OF the city gov
eminent officials is the probable political result
feelings Of the majority in Congress by asserting
that the adoption Of the Territorial scheme
would bring the Democracy into power. This
Is really the only object they have or can have
against II. But the fact that several prominent
Republicans-men like General Howard-are in
favor OF the Territorial system is a sufficient
answer to this. The opposition comes entirely
from the % City Hall ring" and is not likely to
have much success in influencing Congress. The
chances for change are good. and the property
holders are moving with more than ordinary
energy to achieve it."