Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-09-02
LOG AL NEW S.
To Improve or Not TO Improve.

ANOTHER MEETING OF THE NVTs.
The and-impTovements men met last evening
at the Board of Trade Booms. W. H Tenney
called the meeting to order. and j. III. Crane
acted as secretary. He produced and read long
series OF resolutions prepared by a committee
appointed at the previous meeting, declaring tina;
the association j. in favor of liberal system OF
public Improvements. TO be prosecuted IN pur-
suance OF a systematic and permanent plan
prOjcoSd by n competent engineer, and adopted
by the legislative Assembly. while the details
Of the work serall be carried out in pursuance of
specific ANIMAL appropriations; that the project
Of improving the city by means of large loans
entailing upon the citizens heavy taxation re-
pay interest, is unwise and oppressive. They
condo mn the scheme OF improvements devised
by the Board of Public Works to carry ont
which the four million loan bill has been passed
by the legislative Assembly, on the ground that
n excludes many much-needed improvements in
the central portions OF the cities of Washington
and Georgetown, while Il provides for the ex-
penditure of large sums OF moneys i'm remote and
spaTsely settled portions OF the District and
upon proposed streets not vet opened. leading TO
or bordering upon lands owned by mem
bers OF said beard, and their special friends
and paTtlsans They declare that they are
IN FAVOR or liberal appropriations for i'm
Irovemer & of streets. alleys sewers and bridges
provided the same be made by each Lecislature
ard IN accordance with the organic act. and in
such amounts as can he expended each year in
an kOnCSt and economical manner. They want
All works for public Improvement to be adver-
used, and duly awarded to the lowest competent
bidders, and derOunce the Board OF Public
works for requiring deposit of 81 600 from the
bidders as n grO.s assumption of power, opera
ting TO exclude poor and meritoriOus men from
obtaining contracts, and to leave an open field
tor the rich and interruptions to secure contracts
at eNoT bitant prices. without competition. They
aiso Cerounce the majority Of the Legislative
ASS mbly Tor compelling all persons voting
against the four million loan bill to head their
tickets % against special improvements" They
further dec ARE that they believe in the right OF
he people To select their own rulers and that
all Offices OF trust and responsibility should be
tha'i1 elective by the people, aud again condemn
ne legislature for not making the principal
GfrceTs OF the District elective.
hr. Thomas jefferson Durant. of louisiana
then came forward and made his usual speech
and essayed 70 defend his much-laughed-at
hnancial problems. He went on 10 indulge in
some buncomb in regard TO capital and labor
and declared that he was not afraid of universal
suffrage, but was afraid of the cunning aud de-
eeptlyc men who claim to be the friends of the
people To- Inc mere sake of spoliation.
The speaker was here interrupted by Jere
Robinson, (who figured at the meeting at
BoGldins church, who stated that the laboring
men would never vote for the four million loan
slay for S1-5a.
Mr.. DuTant was glad to hear that He was in
favor OF improvements, but wanted half mil
hon or million of dollars appropriated and spent
annually for that purpose.
Mr.. j. III. Crane then read statement which
he had prepared in reference To the advertising
bills 10 be paid by the District.
MT 81 y. CcOmbs said he had been looking
INTO the advertising expenses, and as he was a
practical printer thought he could make an es-
Sol $50.
The resolutions reported by the committee
were then adopted.
On motion of II. s. Davis, the time of the meet
ing was changed from the first 10 the second
Friday in each month
MI Durant resigned the chairmanship of the
The Executive Committee, as he was not ac-
quaiRted with the people here well enough. He
announced, however, that he would still serve
rs member OF the committee. The executive
committee was authorized to appoint a chair
man ard the meeting adjourned.
The attendance was small and the proceedings
nat and spiritlt IS, indicating that the movement
gets little sympathy from the public.