Evening star., 1870-02-04
GEORGETO--,r
AfiOn Affairs.

Caperton; Mr.. Davis in the chair. coinmu-
nication from X. A. Edmonson. eN-Coiiector
OF Taxes was read asking 10 be relieved from
accountability for taNes assessed against insol-
vent persons amounting 70 So. resolution 20
paw the expenses OF the Poor and Worshonse
for the year ending December 81, lstS, was
passed. Councils resolution TO pay bills OF
fd'ton & Barrett. and Mayfeld & Heis.on was
sNended by inserting $50 tn pay for cleansing
the market house, was passed. The Special
Committee on the resolution abating the taxes
OF VIM. Homiler, and others, owners OF the
Butchers Market, submitted a report adverse
thereto, which was referred TO the lower board.
The communication of eN-Tax Collector Ed
monson waStaken up. and Mr.. Newman opposed
any resolution for his relief, saying that Mr..
Edmonson did not use ordinary diligence IN
collecting taxes. Hr. Cooke inquired if there
were any more inSolvent cases. MIR. Hin replied
that there had already been one insolyent list
allowed, and this was clearing up OF all old
accounts. Mr. Cooke moved il be referred to
| the lower board agreed to.
THE CONSOLIDATION QUESTION.
| Mr.. Newman submitted the following:
Whereas many influential citizens of the District
proposition for territorial form of government and
de.rc that Georgetown shall loose its eNstence as
corporation ;sd be consolidated with Washin : ION
and the county: Therefore.
KeSorsd Lg the Board eC Aldermen ant BoIrd or
C"i,gon CoHRoiG % tie C5Tpo,aitoH o1 Gsorgstora
That in the event Of such change to territorial
| form OF government We are opposed to. and enter
our rrotes; against such consolidation with Wash
tescirCd Jsrfh,r That a copy Of these resolution.
br laid before the Committees on the District Of Co
iumbia ot the Senate aud OF th" House "i Eepresen
ResOredJUrthsr, That in order to test the al
the people o this subject the citizens be- ana they
are hereby requested 10 give expression their
timents by deposting ballot nj the ensuing elec-
tion, those in favor uf consolidation For CaSOitda
n.r;' those against il - Agaiasf Consolidation.
Mr.. Newman said he offered these resolutions
in all truth and sincerity. and he could not see
how the proposed consolidation would benefit
Georgetown. The municipal government had
gone ON for hundred years, and had survived
all iiuctuationso OF the political cauldrOn. George
town is to-day solvent, and ii this plan was
adopted they would assume a portion of the
debt of Washington. Ii would no doubt benefit
Washington at the expense OF Georgetown.
They had paid all their bills for street improve
ments, water mains, gas, &c., &c. and are
nearly out OF debt; the elective franchise had
been extended TO all except the female I,opula-
ton, and he was in favor Of the women voting.
too.
Mr.. Cooke said the project did not propose
territorial form of government, but only n
dcrstand by making this change that il would
necessarily consolidate the municipal govern
ments OF the two cities
Mr.. Newman said he so understood il.
Mr.. Cooke said that Mr.. Nee Cullouyh's PROMO
sition wassimply territorial government with
delegate i'm Congress, who would look to the in
terests of the whole District. and for the forma-
tiCn of a legislative body, who would have sinli-
lar powers with those now held by Congress as
TO making laws for our local government. He
enumerated at length the advantages il would
be 10 the whole District.
MIR. Hill saii his understanding was tn bat they
proposed TO have but one corporation, en-
bIacng the entire District. Georgetown had
hnished paying for the distribution of the water
ana other improvements, and our debt was COM
Paratisely small, and We are in good condition
to remain just as We are and not put ourselves
IN the POSITION OF mere appcndagc 10 Wash.
ingtOD, with the task of paying her debt. which
the authooties Of that city could rot even esti-
mate the amount of. lie should oppose the entir.
movement, and he concluded by offering a su6-
stitutc resolution for that offered by Mr. New
man, but subsequently withdrew Il.
MIR. Davis said he differed from AIR. Cook
somewhat with respect 10 the government of
the District. He said the original design was
for Congress to have control of the District
The proposed change would make Our govern
me1it more cumbersome. Both the corporations
had thus far sustained themselves without aid
from Congress. IL Congress had paid their
PRO rata OF taxes on Government property. or
had even made appropriations approximating
10 what the taxes would be. there would be no
dlfhcu,ty. An alliance of Georgetown with
Washington would involve many other expenscS
which they had not thought of. among which
were the improvement OF the Washington chan
mel and the cleaning out OF the Washington
canal.
Mr.. Cock said he had not, so far, settled down
To any fixed opinion. He thought il they were
consolidated in one municipality il would bring
them nearer together. socially and otherwise
which lie thought would he of great advantage
Georgetown al one time was the court end Of
ihc District. but, il being n separate city, il
seemed great way OF from Washington
Mr.. Hill said il had been stated that great ,lif-
hculty had been experienced in gCftirc the
wants OF the District before Congress, but il
was Pot hls experience. When lie had occasion
To 60 Dcfore The committees he hal always been
cOnrteOusly received, and great attention given
t. the business in hand.
MIR. Cooke Was III favor OF submitting the sub
ject 10 vote OF the people at the next election:
and he moved it be referred to 4 committee. t.
report at the next mce'ingor the board some
Plan by which il could be submitted 10 a bop
ular test vote.
MIR. Newman was opposed To this reference
The bill could be amended so as to save this de
lay, and could ne put into the other board to-
night. He was opposed to a territorial govern
nient, as il would not benefit Georgetown "a
Iarthing. lie preferred going back to Mary
land. and thought Georgetown would become a
thlNing manufacturing town by such change.
Washington would absorb Georgetown i'm legi>-
latiOn il annexed.
Mr.. Hill opposed the reference to a commit
mittec. and hoped the resolutions would be
amended as to submit them to the people.
and let them 90 the other board for its action to-
night.
Mr.. Cooke favored this action, and said when
the people expressed a wish for such a change
Oi government he Was ready 10 act lie was in
favor of the measure, but Was willing To yield to
the majority.
The amendment was then made as supgeSteJ
and the resolution unanimously passed.
Resolutions in favor Of =. Wolf for transfer OF
property. and John W. Gross for removal OF
dead ANIMALS: amending the act establishing
the grade of West street, and i'm favor OF the
estate of the late Mayor Addison. were passed
council bill providing for the collection OF the
taxes for the ensuing year was taken up. and
Mr.. Cooke moved an amendment paving the
Collector his percentage on the amount col
iected instead OF assessed; adopted. On motion
OF Mr.. Hill, il was then referred to the Standing
Committee. Adjourned.
COMMON COUNCL.-A communication was
received from the Mayor, enclosing bill OF Mr.
Prather, from Levy Court (S9.J0;) referred
MIR. Clabaugh introduced an ordinance pro-
viding for the renumbering Of the houses in the
town; referred to a special cOmmIttee-Messrs.
Dunlop and Jones-with instructions to report
suitable ordinance. Mr.. Mitchell introduced
an ordinance providing for the levying of gene
raj and special taxes for the year 1870: which
was passed. The bill provides for an as
sessment OF 40 cents ON each Sl00 of taxable
property; cents on Metropositan Railroad
DEBT, 10 cents on gas; - cents for MetrOpolitan
ponce, and % cents for schools. making a total
of Sl35, being a deduction OF cents on the
taxation of 1862 Mr.. Simms presented
bill Of William Whelan, (SIs.IO;) referred.
Also, communication of X. A. Edmons,on lar !.
tax collector, asking certain credits: referred.
Also, resolution in favor Of the estate of the
late Hon. Henry Addison; passed. Mr.. Cla-
baugh reported resolution to pay bills of y
Wolf (S21) and John W. Gross (S .25); passed
MT. Hutchins reported An ordinance alnrnda-
tory Of an ordinance establishing the grade of
West street extended. Common Council resolu-
ton In favor Of Wm HOmiller was returned Ia
the BOard accompanied by an adverse repOrt
from the committee of the Board of Aldermen
and laid over. Board Of Aldermen amendment