National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-17

Four-Rnd. R-hRlf street Property Holders
They Want to Know What They Are
Paying Fora Committee Appointed TO
Find Out

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They Want to Know What They Are
Paying Fora Committee Appointed to
Find OHt.
A called meeting Of the property-hol1ers Of
FOur-and-a-half street was held last night at
HerefOrth's hall, No. $50 FOur-and-a-half street,
for the purpose Of taking into consideration the
amount charged by the Board Of Public Works
for improvements on this street. After several
unsuccessful attempts TO secure a full attend
ance Of the property-hOders, by going on the
highways and bywAyA and calling all In, the
meeting was organized with about twenty per
sons by calling =. A. Boswell, esq, to the chair
who said u the object of the meeting was to night
the Board Of Public Works he was not with them
lie knew nothing Of the rule Of measurement for
improvements. lie had been Informed that in
tersectiOns OF streets and church property were
TO be taxed according TO the decision OF the at
tOrney for the District.
Mr. Mattingly asked n Mr.. Cook had decided
$40 per foot, would the chairman consider II
rightH He wanted to know where the right
came from to assess the peoples property at 81 20
per foot when II was only worth b per foot.
To this inquiry the chairman replied ''No,"
and said that II he was the Judge Of the court
before whom this question Of assessing churches
would have decided that 1t should he paid out Of
the general fund. -
Mi. Mattingly suggested that committee he
appointed to wait on the honorable board Oi
Public Works and get an itemIZod bill OF the i'm.
proyements. He had obtained the opinions Of
the best lawyers In Washington, WIN say the
uOhIN NhlliluA Nltlllhul unless tue nFUlk
erty-holders had such bill. He Intended Ia
contest this question to the btterest end.
The prOperty-holders on Seventh street are In
court, and intend staying there until thorough
investigation Is made. lie claimed that the citl.
Zens hal not the right to he charged for cross
streets and church property. He had made q
calculation, and had put all the material used
together and had made II t2.65. Where did the
balance charged come FROM
Mr. Boswell said II any material was taken
IroIn the front OF the property the value Will he
retained. He could not see the sense VI sending
committee 10 the hoard when nothing would he
gained.
Dr. Bacon said the citizens were Of the opinion
that by sending committee 1t would save tho
or items.
Me- Boswell thought the citizens had hettel
have another meeting. The Board Of PulhC
Works might Justly refuse to give an itemizet
rsttet after so slim meeting. lie thought the
board would have their hands full 10 give item
lzed bills for all itS improvements. lie repre-
scented q gentleman who owned considerable
property on Fonr-and-a-half street who did not
desire an hemlEed bill, being satisfied that the
amount charged was all right.
DR.. Bacon did not come to light the board, Ht
only wanted 10 know what II being paid for
Mr.. Boswell thought the hest basis TO work on
was TO ask the board TO give the contract price
for the work on FOuT-and-a-half street.
Dr.. Bacon salaif the law requires paw for In
right.
Inc LnOuOh OF Mr. MAttlngly was adopted, ant
the Chair appointed Messrs. Mattingly,W Here
forth aud X. A. Bacon.
Mr.. Mattngly. won't serve. have hGen ID
that shop once, and TO not want to 20 again.
Mr. Boswell Then III appoint L. A. Bacon
WIN. HerfOnh and Charles G. Dickson.
Dr, Bacon moved that instead OF asking Il r on
iteInlzed bill for the whole street they ask fol
only George Mattlnglys.
Voice. He might object. fLAughterl
lie then moved that the name Of X. A. Bacon
be substituted. Agreed to, and the meeting nd
jOumed.