Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-08-26
To IMPROVE OR NOT TO IMPROVE
Another Meeting of the Nots.

An adjourned meeting Of citizens opposed to
the four million loan for Improvements was held
las evening in the Board of Trade Rooms 10
organize a permanent association. The attend
anee was yet smaller than on Friday evening
last, though some new faces were seen. Among
those present were Messrs- Berrett and Harvey
Of the Patriot, General (Albert) Grant, A.
Watson, y. ID. Larner, Thomas jefferson Du-
rant, tOf Louisiana,) Michael Tally, Henry ).
Davis, John III. Crane, and DIR. Clayton. Mr..
Thomas jefferson Durant, of louisiana on
taking the chair, repeated his remarks on pre-
V1ous occasions, and wanted to know what
would be the cost Of the official advertising in
regard 10 the loan aud railroad subscription, and
the coming election, Sc.
At this juncture Mr.. John II. Crane, ex-water
registrar, who suffered Official decapitation at
the hands of Gov. Cooke, volunteered the reply
that the cost would be 5000, more less.
Mr.. Durant, resuming, inquired If the assem-
bled taxpayers had heard what their most re-
spectacle secretary had said, and pausing for
reply, proceeded TO say that the election expen-
ses would entail additional waste both OF time
and money. Congress did not intend that there
should be two general elections in the same year.
aLing second election WON'T gYe Us another ne,
organic act, and would create confusion by Civ
ing US two sets OF officers at the same time.
They wanted 10 do things fairly, and wished
their proceedings reported correctly, and not as
the last meeting had been reported in the Chr0q-
Icls. The applause which followed enabled the
distinguished gentleman from New Orleans TO
retire gracefully. just after taking his seat,
however, he turned savagely upon the reporter
of the Chr0zieEs and inquired, =" Did you write
that report, sir 2' Z" did not, SIR" answered
the Chronicle man, steadily returning the indig-
nant gaze of his interrogation, who subsidized with
the remark, I" 1 am glad to know you did not,
SIR"
Mr.. Crane, ex-water registrar, then read the
report OF the committee on a constitution. The
preamble sets forth that whereas the organic act
OF Congress gives power 10 the Legislative As
sembly 20 propose to the voters of the Corpora
ton projects of indebtedness without limit
which may be confirmed by majority of voters
a al al NH Fa Ftl
Congress has by the act of February n, 1871,
provided various checks upon the power of tax
alton, Of contracting. or appropriation, and ex-
pending the public money of the Corporation;
and whereas the act of the 2lst of February re-
feTred 10, "a il has enlarged the powers of the
people for certain purposes OF municipal govern
ment, has imposed, consequently, upon every
friend OF honest and economical administration,
&c, 4" We, the undersigned, form ourselves into
an association, to be styled the Citizens Associ-
alton of the District of Columbia, whose object
shall be secure by all honorable and legal means
an equal, honest, and economical administration
of the government OF the Corporation of the
District of Columbia" Article reads: ANY
person who Il a legal voter in the District of
Columbia, and who is opposed to the proposed
fouI million loan. which Is advertised 10 be sub
mitted for the approval Of the people on the
fourth WednC sday of November next, and in
favor Of an honest, prudent, and economical
administration of public affairs and expenditure
of public moneys, may become a member of this
association by subscribing to this constitution"
In reference 10 article 2 of the constitution,
L.
him that they would be giving to the opposition
weapon to use against them by Directing to
fhe four million loan, as stated in the secOud
section, as they would represent them as opposed
To improvements. He said the section was sus-
ceptisle Of modification, and they should take
the weapon out of the hands of their opponents.
article 2.
Col. Berret said he was in favor Of i'm
proving the city as much as any man, and de-
sired to promote its interest in every way. He
was in favor OF being taxed for this, and would
favor IL TO the extent OF a million each year;
se ss , 70 6 -four P millions w 70
thought the constitution ought to declare that
they were in favor of Improvements.
Mr.. Given agreed with Col. Berret.
Mr.. III. 5. Davis said the four million loan was
only one item. They have appropriated sums of
money which, with old debts, will amount to ten
Col. Berret then offered the following "a a
substitute for article 2:-"Any citizen who is a
legal voter, and who is in favor of a prudent and
economical administration of public affairs,
may become a member by subscribing To this
constitution"
Mr. COombs wanted to put in instead of "i 900
coo, eve are opposed to extravagant expendi-
lures and the incurring of an Onerous public
debt"
AFTER some further discussion Mr.. Tenney. of
Georgetown, delivered himself of a vehement
speech, in the course of which he said the in
junctionists had been styled the seventeen men,
as If there were no more than that number
agreed with them. He did so. and made IL eigh-
teen. He was Republican, and might now be
charged with joining the Democracy He was
opposed to giving the control Of four millions to
any fOnr men, He believed Henry ID. Cooke was
good. honest man, and he had nothing to say
againgt a. Il. MuIlett, but he was Opposed 10
giving four millions to a. j. Magruder, Aleck
Shepherd, and ). p. Brown. He wanted the
constitution to say that the idea OF the Legisla-
lures putting ON style, having pages. &c, was
Ridiculous. He had been informed that Sis SO
had been spent on MorrisOn's building. he did
not know whether the statement was true or not
he took The STAR and Republican regularly,
but lately he had found out il was necessary to
buy the Patriot if YOU wanted to find out the
truth (Audible smiles by Messrs. Harvey and
Berret.) He was opposed 20 the Legislature DEL
egating their power To the Board of Public
Works. They had given that Board the power
70 change the grade Of streets, sc. 'sWhy my
was going TO say my God y but am a church
member" exclaimed Mr.. Tenney, "was the like
ever heard of before?'' He thought not The
Republican papers were crying out against the
corruption in New York, but did not say a word
against the corruption here. He repeated that
he would not consent to give four millions TO the
members OF the Board of Public Works.
"General"( Albert Grant said '.there were some
resolutions comm, and when they was read he
would have suthin' TO say about them men," IRE
feITing 70 the Board Of Public Works.
Ex-Water Registrar Crane intimated that he
had had world OF experience in getting DIP asso-
Citations Of all kinds One OF his meetings was
broken up at Union League Hall by VIM. A
Cooks men because OF the wording OF the call.
General" (Albert) Grant--''Yes, but II my
memory serves me Emery got 3, 800 majority not
outstanding"
Mr.. harvey, OF the Patriot, suggested that IL
might be vel 10 know where we are going. and
requested that the resolutions referred 10 be read
The secretary then read series of resolutions
denunciatOry Of the Legislature, the Board Of
Works. sc.
Mr.. LaTner opposed the substitute offered by
Colonel BeTTett.
MIR. II. 5. Davis and Colonel Berrett offered
sme further remarks, after which the question
was taken on the substitute offered by Colonel
Berrett 20 the second article Of the constitution
which was rejected. The question then required
on adoption Of second article, when
Mr.. Coombs moved to strike out the words
sTelatlng 10 the four million lOan." and insert
the words "oppOse 70 extrayagant expenditures
and TO mourning an oneToas public deb, !" which
was also rejected.
The constitution as reported asthen adopted.
The question was then taken on the adoption
of the names proposed as permanent officers,
and they were elected, as follows:-GeOrge w.
Riggs, president; William III. Tenney, A. G.
Riddle and EnOch Totten, vice presidents; j.
n Crane, secretary; y. ID. Larner, correspond
ing secretary; DIR. b. Blake, treasurer; and
the following executive eommittee:-T. j. Du-
rant, chairman; Walter ). Cox, j. j. Coombs,
D. A. Gushing, w H. Philip, A. A. Wilson, NJ
Tally, G Alexander, II. 5. Davis, g. III. Plant,
CIV. Cochran, A. i. kl0Pfer, Dr. ID. W. Breed,
a. Van Riswiek, 4. T.. White, Jesse b. wilson
George MattinglV. u. r. White ,IaSsa u WI