Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-27
FINANCES OF THE DISTRICT Gov
ERNMENT.
of thu

The Temporary Half RiIlion Loan and TIE Four
4iiison LoaH-TAe Debts # the Old Corpora
tOH-COt. fcGtioR IF the Ldps-Assessmeat for
Special iHprOreMeRts-APproPri Needed,
On Saturday afternoon Governor Cooke sub-
mitted message 10 the Legislative Assembly, in
which he states that under the act OF August
18th, 1871, he twas authorized to anticipate the
revenue OF the District 10 the amount of five
hundred thousand dollars BY temporary loan,
the proceeds OF which were TO be dlsbursed for
improvements ana repairs" sc.
IL Is suggested that this amount should he re-
turned to the District fund proper out of the pro-
ceeds OF the fOarmilliOn loan, in order that pay
ment may be made Of the Temporary loan when
IL shall become due, and that the requisite au-
thority be given to the Auditor and Controller
OF the DtTtrct To reimburse the District treasury
and TO pay the loan. 1t is further earnestly re-
commented that the option be given to stip,I Ate
Tor the payment OF interest semi annually upon
any authorized loan at the rate of six per cent.
Per annum In gold, or seven per cent. per annum
In currency; and that interest payments may be
made at such place in the United States as may
be selected. 1t il believed that the authority
asked for will facilitate more especially the ne
gOtiations OF the four million loan and the loan
Tor the new water main.
He refers 10 a Board of Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund (Messrs Corcoran, Sweeny Kelly
and Davis having been appointed. They have
carefully considered and Investigated the conii-
ton of the Indebtedness Of the old corporations
OF the District, and, in conjunction with the
commission TO audit, &c, have prepared a plan
for the payment, at "a early date As possible of
for making provision for the interest and princi-
pal of the funded and interest bearing debt both
OF the old and new government. The plan re-
ferred to is coneurred in by both commissions,
and has been embodied in the form of bill, as
covering more succinctly than could be done
otherwise the points suggested. The whole sub
jeetis commended to your careful consideration
In this connection 1t is proper TO state that the
law authorizing the appointment of the auditing
commission neglected to make appropriation for
its pay, and that Of the clerical force which it
md M 80 .Inr- - IL
commission have been arduous and intelligently
and satisfactorily conducted, and IL is recon-
meDded that an appropriation be made for the
pay mtssit OF its salaries and other expenses.
lie again recommends the appointment of a
commission to codify The laws of the District IL
Is assumed that the importance OF this subject is
gestions. In such legislation, however, as the
wisdom Gf the Legislative Assembly may die
tate, effective provision should be made to secure
prompt performance of the work.
Doubts have arisen as TO the ratio of assess
ment for certain special improvements con-
tracted tor and ordered by the late corporation
OF Washington subject to the appointment and
qualification of the Board of Public Works IA
would seem just and equitable, under the deci-
sion OF the Supreme Court of the District of
Columbia, that all such improvements, as well
as those ordered by the Board of Public Works.
should be assessed in accordance with the re-
quirements of the 37th section of the organic act
IL this view should meet your concurrence espe-
cial appropriation to cover the Districts pro
PORTION viii have to be made out Of the general
fund.
1t has been found that in some cases indiyid-
nal property has been compelled to bear more
than its just proportion of the burdens of i'm
proyement, and IL is therefore recommended
that the Board Of Pakl;c works be empoWered
TO assess the damage that may be caused to
private property by special improvements; and
also that an act be passed authorizing il to
open alleys, whenever it may be Important to do
so, for the accommodation OF me public or in
dividuals.
Under special act of the Legislative Assem-
bly,, a jury was appointed to assess the benefits
and damages to property consequent upon the
widening of Aqueduct and Bridge streets in
the city OF Georgetown. 1t IL recommended
that an appropriation be made IL accordance
with its verdict as to damages and expenses
He refers to several appropriations having
been found Insult cient; renews the recor,men
dations made in his first communication to the
Legislative Assembly in regard to a Board of
Charities and Corrections, and to the establish
ment of system Of compulsory and eompen-
stated labor in the appSopriate institutions.
An examination OF the condition of the small
pox hospital has disclosed the fact that both as
TO character and extent. the accommodations
are entirely issadequate to the proper care and
treatment of patients. Humanity and prudence
unite in demanding prompt reE,edial legislation
1t IL hoped, in this connection that ali proper
efforts Of the Boski of Health "a guard against
this pestilence, and TO place the District in
thorough sanitary condition, will receive the
support of the necessary legislation.
lie also transmits communication from the
COMMISSIONERS OF the Fire Department and in
vltes attention to their suggestions