Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-05-15

DetWeen ID
December 10, 1864, inclusive, the total quota OF
men required of the District was - q.5. The
number actually furnished by the District for
these calls was IL ,534-an excess over the quota
called for Of 2 561. Besides these, Communication
was PAID by 33S men for exemption from draIi
making total excess Of 2 S99 over the amount
OF troops called for from the District In rails
ing anu organizing these troops, in the pay mt
OF bonnties and other eNpen ses connected with
such organization, the cities of Washington and
Georgetown disbursed considerable amounts
Tor which they have, as yet, receiv ed no REIN
bursement from the General Government
Twenty-six States have flied their claims for
like disbursements, and have been awarded and
paid, IN the aggregate the sum of S3s,i17 81 49,
The amount due to the District of Columbia on
this account is believed TO be at least $50 600
perhaps more. 1t is recommended IN at
measures De taken for The adjustment and settle
ment ofthese accounts against the Government
OF the United States.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Your attention is respectfully called to the re-
port of the Board OF Public Works. herewith
submitted, in which the needs of the cities of
Washington and OrgetOwD, and the county OF
Washington, are succinctly stated Heretofore,
local improvements of streets, and the Sc werage
and drainage OF the two cities have not been
MADE upon comprehensive and uniform plan:
and the want of such plan has involved frequent
changes, unnecessary expense and annoyance
to prOIerty-hOlders, and added largely to the
burdens OF taxation. The Board Is now care
fully considering comprehensive system of
sewerage and grades-the former being adapted
as nearly as practicable, to the natural water
sheds, and the latter being established with
reference to connecting and intersecting streets,
Washington and Georgetown. In this way it is
beloved the most efficient drainage and the
most satisfactory and economical grades will be
secured: In the proposed improvements of
streets the plan OF the Board has also ref
erence TO the fact that the avenues of the
city , 1adiat s, from n, two grand centers-the
1t is hoped that the bolrd will have the Coon
eration OF the general government in a system
o.. improvements which is designed to include
al the avenues of which the government retains
the toltro'. and the streets intersecting the 10
The board has not overlooked the importance,
also, OF making future improvements in TIE
more populOrs parts OF the city; or, in other
WORDS, wOrk king from the center outward Those
streets, also, which connect with the main road.
or approaches from the county, it is believed
should receive early attention, as well as the
county roads, which form the main avenues of
approach to the two cities Of Washington and
Geofgetown. It is designed to give increased
iacihties LOT REORGANIZATION between the
two, cities by the improvement of NJ and
streets in Washington, and Bridge and West
STREETS in Georgetown; and by the early com
fe1S Sn. OF tne ana west street bridge For
ence is made to the ACCOMPANYING report of tho
Board OF Public Works.
In view Of the improvements in progress, and
OF other improvements necessary 10 be made, il
If recommended that the burthens of immediate
taxation be lesse3ed by the distribution of the
psynep.s therefor over series OF years. This
levying OF q tax sufficient to provide for a paw
ment OF the annual interest thereon and the
creation OF a sinking fund, which shall extln-
guish the principal Of the debt within such
period as may be determined upon by the Leeis-
lature. Tins the gradual enhancement in ths
yape OF property will keep pace WITH and even
HOfe than repay, the tax nually accrung.
Under the law creating the Terrtoria al Gov.
eminent the property owners pay one-t third IT,
cost OF street Improvements. The necessity for
the tax known as the Ward Fund Tax for re-
p6irs and Improvements is, therefore, done
away with 10 very great extent. The partial
abolition or this tax and the adoption of com
preheIsive system Of loans for these improve
ments, as already suggested, will render prac-
tcable very considerable reduction in the
general taxes As before stated, an authentic
record OF the various improvements now being
/ r. secuted, with the cost thereof has not ycf
Ieen obtained. The Legislature should proyids
Wfhou ut delay for the completion of such a
1esord IN order that II may act with full knowl-
edg In the premises. adapting its action to the
necessities OF the a e. The Board OF Public
No-ks PROPOSES to keep afuli and complete
'"ood AL Improvements contracted for, OF
The progress, OF the total amount of the cost
Of such Improvements, and OF all paymen.s
thereon as the work progresses. In this way
only can there be an exact showing of the in
debtedness and current liabilities Of the Dis-
rtct for improvements.
The Suggestions OF the Board OF Public wsrk.
should be considered in the light OF the fact that
we are about assuming the responsibility OF a
govern ment for the District peculiar in tris
regard, If in no other; that we find here q mu-
a
olulat On OF III $50 people. With all the needs
OF such community In the political center of
the Republic, we have municipality that has
veloped FULLY with its growth, the conveniences
essential to health and enjoyment; without the
necessary pavemenis. sewers S, public OFF ces, and
joyment Of municipal life. With economy and
good Judgment, 1t becomes q first duty to set
about providing for these improvements.
The building known the City Hall was
erected
United States and the city OF Washington. The
business OF the District courts has grown to such
are required. Gradually that part OF the build.
ing occupied by the city government proper has
YIELDED to this ecessity until the space allotted
to the latter is reduced to a very small minimum,
utterly inadequate for its absolute needs. Sew.
er 81 OF the officers OF the municipal government
o. Washington have called attention to the fact
cramped, inconvenient, and insufficient. The
Register Of Wills and other officers ask for fire
proof vaults and additional Office room. The
records Of land titles in the Office OF the Recorder
OF DEEDS are In an insecure condition, liable,
at any time, to destruction by fire. 1t is there
fore recommended that measures be taken for
me anstet ana sale to the government Of the
known "a the City Hall. The increased bust
ness OF the courts requires the occupancy OF the
gested that site for a new building, SUFFICIENT
for every accommodation OF the Territorial
government, can be secured upon some one of
Washington; and that the proceeds of the sale
Of the ciiys share in the City Hall building will
60 far towards defraying the expense OF the
proposed new structure.
RAILROAD CONNECTIONS.
The Importance TO the District of additional
railroad communications with the Northern
Southern, and Western sections of the coun-
Try is fully realized by its citizens. 1t is a
sradfyiDg fact that there is now a prospect
Tor the early completion of two new railway
lines through the District, each connecting
with Independent lfnes OF railway extending
South and North. There 10 also a prospect
Of the completion, during the coming fall, of
the Metropolitan railroad, connecting with
the Be Gilmore and Ohio railroad ut the Point
or kocle, tnus giving to Washington q line
OF railroad communication with the valleys
OF the Ohio and Mississippi and the great
lakes, considerably sherter than any other
existing line. Other lines Of road are pro-
jected, having their terminal and connectinp
points In the District, among them the extension
OF the Orange and Alexandra railroad to
LyPchburg, Virginia, where it connects with
me interior system Of Southern railways; aud
the Alexandria and fredericksburg railroad,
connecting ct Fredericksburg with the Rich
m0nd and fredericksburg road, thus securing
q connection with the coast system of Southern
railways. All Of these roads are being rapidly
pushed TO wards completion by strong and compe-
tent parties, and when completed they win make
the District Of Columbia one Of the most i'm
portant railway centers upon the Atlsnftc sea.
boArd. 1t Will furnish the two CONNECTING link