Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-06-30

entire wealth and property of our citizens in the
District Who believes such nonsense Docs
the high character and ability of the gentlemen
who compose that board warrant, to say the
least, such an assertion? What is the bill of pro-
posed improvement, and what means the oppo-
sition? The Improvements are desirable,
and the opposition means, on the part
Of those who make It, that we want no inn
Hall last winter il was said we want
power to raise fifteen millions If necessary.
Tonight the same voices denounce the effort 10
create a loan for one-third that amount; and yet
no man has dared to assert that the improve
ments are not necessary for the best interests of
our city. Then you couldnot get improvements
enough; now but a part of what is needed is met
by few OF the property-hOlders whose preju-
dlces court visions of dishonest dealings by those
In whose hands the law entrusts the disbuse-
ment OF the moneys. Over one million of dollars
has been annually expended for several years by
special laws an4 taxation without any well-de
vised system, ana IL appeared strange that when
competent authority had suggested plans, care
fully prepared and systemafized, any number of
citizens should oppose SO desirable a result. The
disbursement of this fund was already guarded
by existing laws, and the people had already at
tested, by decisive expression, their confidence
In the men with whom their interests were en-
trusted. Other cities had adopted the plan.
Philadelphia made all her Improvements in this
manner. 1t was no experiment; it was the re-
ult of experience and tina provisions for the re-
demption of the bonds were ample % discharge
them at maturity. Let us improve and build up
IL.
win, in twenty years, discharge the debt which
Ii Is necessary now to create.
One of the speakers (Mr. Durant) has invented
new theory to ascertain the actual cost to the
people of the loan proposed, by adding to the
principal the interest compounded in payment
for the use of the money borrowed, and then
asserts that you pay five millions OF dollars for
no purpose; you receive no benefits; you simply
give it i'm honor of the improvement scheme.
What sagacious judgment, and what evidence of
financial skill and ability Upon this theory
M no MIL TOD
Of a fifty cent dinner, and at the same time, with
equal sagacity and foresight, anticipated the
national debt, the interest upon that plate of
pork and beans would be sufficient to-day to
discharge the liabilities of the government, and
restore us to basis of specie payment. [Great
laughter.] But the speaker was pleased to for
added value to the property improved. Four
millions added TO property must certainly earn
some consideration in the discussion OF this sub
ject.
Mr.. Hallet Kilbourn asked the privilege to
say a few words. While some of the resolutions
met with his approval, take them as a whole he
was opposed to them, because their intent was
for improving the National Capitol. He assert
ed that the only proper way, in his judgment, to
carry out the much needed Improvements, was
emit for sufficient TO pay the interest and provide
a sinking fund, for the reason that the expendi-
ture of five millions of dollars in judicous man
nerwould enhance the value ofthe assessable pro-
expenditure properly carried out, would make
the city attractive, and induce fresh capital and
energy to locate in our midst, and we would 90
on Prospering and to prosper, until the nations
capital would become the most magnificent city
in America. If the present bill is deficient in
proper safeguards, let the Legislature, in its
wisdom, provide the proper remedy; but don't,
for heavens sake, attempt to throttle this plan for
our material advancement and prosperity. He
considered the old system of raising a tax each
year to pay for all the necessary improvements
rad in AL
and one that never could succeed. He claimed
that in every growing city in America
the payment for improvements was drawn
future, which is created by the very
expenditure of the means thus raised
II we ever expet to raise Washington out of this
SkSusn of we must show By our
blessed in some respects as no other city is. We
now have three different lines OF railroads build
ing to us, which will open up the inexhaustible
wealth Of country that will pay large tribute to
cur Golfers without one cent of cost to us. Other
cities, generally, create a debt to aid such ad-
yantageous enterprises. We are not a CONNER
eial manufacturing city, and he, for one, never
relied upon either to build up Washington; but
the fact that We are the Capital eff the great
Republic, which Is growing with such gigantic
enterprise in making it attractive, bring people
and wealth TO our midst from all sections Of the
country. If we expect Congress to deal gener-
o1siy in its appropriations towards its chosen
-.
that we, who are to be Immediately benefited,
are willing to do our part, and that we have con-
hdenee ia our professions. BY such q course
on our part there need be no doubt as to the
generous disposition of Congress; but as long as
we get up Indignation meetings against the
necessary Improvement of our portion Of the
streets, &c, we need not expect that Congress
win become imbued with spirit of national
pride in our dilapidated condition. He regretted
to hear some of the speakers attempt to
disparage the credit of the District, and it
usd foo
IL, as one speaker said, the proposed loan was
absolutely void, and the bonds could not be ne
gotiated, then Of course the Board Of Public
Works could do nothing, therefore what was the
use Of getting up indignation meetings to pre-
vent an impossibility? While he had great re-
spect for the names attached to the call for the
meeting, he asserted taat il was not the rich who
built up Washington. 1t was the energetic and
enterprising young men who had their fortunes
yet to make, and prospered as the community
prospered in which they crowded things ahead.
Rich people were content with existing
circumstances; those in other circumstances
demanded progress, and consequent prosperity.
He had every confidence in the capacity and
integrity of the present Board of Public Works,
and ne believed they would, within q few years
time, make such an advance In the improve
m mel OF tne CITY snat every one present, who
fest destiny, would regret they hadn't taken
passage in the car Of progress and checked their
baggage through to Washington, as It WIN be
Grand Republic and the pride OF every citizen
Of the District of Columbia. He predicted that
he general plan Of improvements would be
adopted, and felt sanguine that within in a
short time all would rejoice at the s'new de-
parture "-fiom protests to progress. Zap
plause.l
"Gen." A. Grant followed, opposing the bill,
and, after stating that Georgetown and the
county were represented on the board to the ex-
clusion Of the city, he denounced the idea of the
local republican press charging the movement
as q political one. He reviewed some Of the
estimates of the Board Of Public Works, and
charged that the most of the estimates were for
improvements In the bogs in the northern sec
ton of the city. He also stated that the action
of the board had already driven capitalists from
the city, especially in undertaking to deal with
q riot.
DR.. Wallace was in favor of the measure. The
gentleman Mr.. Philip had got the child, and
had been taken away from him. He believed
that the members of the board were honest, and
would carry out the laws honestly. The i'm
provements proposed are just what the city
wants. The city had been spending one and q
half millions per year under no particular sys-
tenn and now that a comprehensive system had
been adopted, the improvements ought TO 60 on.
He hoped tine Legislature would pass the bill,
notwithstanding the opposition made here.
Mr.. Philip said he had the original draftof the
bill, and no such powers were given to the board
as they now claim. As it was late, he would
n nf< aI,.f;o