Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-05-03
IEGlsLATIyE ASSEMBLY.

that VIM. Stickney be declared their choice for
presiding officer. Messrs Gray and Thompson
were apI Ointed to conduct Mr.. Stickney to the
chair, who made a brief and appropriate address
previous TO taking his seat. The Council then
proceeded TO the election OF chief clerk, and, on
motion OF Mr. Hall, Captain W. NJ. New was
unanimously chosen. The election of assistant
clerk was temporarily postponed. Mr.. Smith
offered a resolution declaring Mr.. T.. j. Klopfer
the engrossing clerk Of the Council; adopted.
Mr.. Joseph s. weems was chosen sergeant at
arms, nd Henry W. Lee messenger.
Mr.. Thompson offered resolution that the
rules of the first Council be adopted tor the use
of the present Council; agreed to.
The usual messages passed between the two
houses, and committee was appointed to wait
on the Governor.
Mr.. Thompson moved that when the Council
adjourn IL be to meet this evening at o'clock;
agreed to.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The following communication WAS received
fTCm the Governor and read:
E-ecutsre Odce District Of ColumBia,(
WASHINGTON, May -, 1872. !
To lie Council and House If Delegates If the Dis
! congratulate you upon the organization of
the second re gUlar session Of the Legislative
spicicss circumstances attending it. Scarcely
yrsr has elapsed since the first legislature of the
District was convened. Daring that brief period
much hes been accomplished in the work OF
recOnstTucting the local government in accord
anCe with the requirements of the organic act.
This reconstruction was commenced from the
foundation; and as the edifce OF the new gov
eminent grew in its proportions and complete
ness. many difficulties were encountered, which
have happily been surmOunted. Notwthstand
ing these difficulties and embarrassments, a
comprehensive system OF public improvements
has been inaugurated, and prosecuted with a
vigor unparalleled in the history of the District.
IL is source of peculiar qualification that
most OF the matters referred to in my first mess
age. requiring the immediate attention of the
legislature, received such wise and prompt
ton at your hands that comparatively little
It mains to be done at the present session
beyond such current legislation as the
rapid growth, the Increasing prosperity, and
the annual necessities of the District NAV
dt mand. You are, however, again invited to
the consideration of one or two subjects TO
which attention has heretofore been called, and
upon which the needed legislation has not yet
been perfected.
The first of those is the necessity for law
providing for the assessment of benefits and
damages upon property adjoining or abutting
upon streets ana avenues undergoing improve
m6nt. The obvious justice of such legal pro-
vision as shall eGuitably distribute the burthen
OF benefits ard damages over property affected
ty public improvements, has been generally
recognized elsewhere; and in view of the fact
that the Improvements here will be distributed
throughout the entire District, the argument OF
necessity applies with more than ordinary force
10 this locality.
IL i Tot deemed necessary To repeat, in de-
tail. the suggestion of a former message. in re-
gard to a vision of the system OF treatment OF
these committed 70 the wOTkhouse department
OF lHe a-N lO u lie late legislature showed Its
appreciation OF such necessity by preparing a
revised system, which, however, was not per
ieCted In time to become law. II is hoped that
at the present session the measure inaugurated
at the last session, with such modification as
you shall deem proper, may be consummated
Additional and better accommodations should
be provided for the unfortunate inmates OF this
institution, as also for those of the hospital de
IaTtment connected herewith. A report from
the Commissioners of the Asylum will be sub
mitted 10 you, covering this point in detail.
The superintendent OF public schools OF Wash
ington and Georgetown has placed in my pos
session copies of his annual report for the past
year, which are herewith transmitted.
The report Of the operations OF the Board OF
Public Works during the year 10 also transmit
ted, in compliance with the require ments OF the
81 ih section of the organic act.
The ACCOMPANYING report of the Board of
Fire Commissioners contains suggestions re-
latirg 10 the necessities OF that branch Of the
public service, which are deemed worthy OF
your attention.
The report of the controller in relation to the
finances OF the District viii be presented SO
s6Cn as he is in receipt, from the proper officers
OF the estimates of appropriations and expend-
itures required for the coming year. Sugges-
tons or recommendations relating thereto are
reserved until this report shall be completed.
The necessity for carefully prepared es-
Inmates OF expenditures, based:-First,
uTOn the requirements of the differ
EFT branches OF the public service; and
Secondly, upon the probable amount OF reye-
nue. 20 be realized from taxes, Is demonstrated
bN The ElSfOrY OF the former governments OF the
district, and by the experience of the first years
administration OF the new government. A.
appropriation without sufficient revenue to
meet Il must prove imperative to the extent o.
the de hciency. This deficiency under the O.G
systC III of government was bridged over by the
creation OF various forms of scrip indebtedness
and by periodically obtaining from Congress
authority to fund the floating debt by the issue
Of bonds or certificates The experience of the
past year demonstrates that all the necessary
EXPENDITURES of the government. and therefore
all the appropriations providing for the same,
can easily he kept within the aggregate current
revenues of the District without any increase in
the rate OF taxation. The expenditures of the
past year were, of necessity, larger than
will be required in the future. Many of
the N were incident to the establishment Of the
new form Of government, and were of such a
character, as TO preclude the possibility of their
ever again being demanded. The experience
already gained, moreover, has revealed sources
of expenditure which may be considerably
diminished by a watchful economy. Ii is most
earnestly hoped that appropriations will in no
case be made in excess Of the estimated reve-
Dues.
In connection with this subject, it is respect.
fully recommended that the present law, impOs-
ing taxes upon real and personal property, be
so modified as to make the assessment upon
personal property In the nature OF investments
or securities, retroactive instead of prospective.
For the reasons heretofore given, further sug-
gestions on this and other topics, are deferred
for a future communication. Meanwhile, rely-
ing upon the guidance and blessing of God which
ests Of the District under its new form OF gov
ernmeht, let us press forward with zeal, tenn
PeTed with prudence; and by harmony of action
carry to completion the movement so well
begun, to beautify and adorn the District, and
make its capital the appropriate seat Of the
national government.
ii. ID. COOKE, Governor
The message was referred TO a committee of
three-Messrs. Gray, Thompson and Smith-to
report ats disposition TO the appropriate stand
ing committees when they shall have been an
pointed. Fifty copies were ordered to be PRINT
ed, together with the accompanying documents,
for the use of the Council. Messrs. Thompson
Douglass, and Hall were appointed a committee
on the part of the Council 20 confer with a sim
liar committee on the Part of the House. TO fix
upon an hour tor the daily meetings for the ses-
sion, and suggesting p. m. A Communication
was received from Controller Baker, asking
that there be forwarded to his Office at the
earliest possible moment, an estimate in detail
OF the appropriations required for the Legisla-
tive Council for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1o.3; laid on the table.
TAXES FoR SPECIAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr. Gray introduced a bill entitled Ga An act
smendatory OF the act prescribing the manner
Of assessing and collecting taxes for special i'm
rrovements," which requires the Board of
Public Works, in all cases for special improve
ments, 10 render within sixty DAYS to every
owner Of property upon which such assessment
shall have been made. and IL such owner can
not be found, then to his agent or tenant a bill
stating in detail the amount and kind of work