Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-02


cent.
II we add the amount paid by the city of
Georgetown and the county OF Washington for
the improvement OF streets and roadways during
these seventy years 1t will aggregate about two
millions more.
In view of these facts, it is earnestly hoped
that an appropriation will be made at an early
day to reimburse the District for the amount
expended in the improvement of Government
property. Citizens OF the District have paid
the assessments levied upon their property for
the purpose OF carrying on the work, and justice
seems TO require that the proportion due by til:
Government should be provided at once, in
order that the contractors and other employees
OF the Board may be paid, as i'll the nature OF
the case considerable proportion OF the assess
ment certificates, which constitute the revenue
OF the Board, cannot be issued until the compile
ton OF the resi- ectiye Improvements.
RELATIONS OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
In this connection 1t may be proper to submit
general statemedt as to the relations OF the
United States Government towards the District
OF Columbia, touching the improvement o.
st -eets, roads, and avenues. The total value OF
public aud private property In the District OF
Columbia is about $3.50 Uo0, 900. The District will
expend in loans and assessments upon private
property, since the Inauguration of the present
d district GSveIImsnt more than six mii.ns Of
tenths OF all the property within the
limits of the District, and q proportion
ale appropriation By the Government to reim-
burse the District tor the money expended upon
the twenty-One avenues, which, being named
after States Of the Union, form national feat
uTo VI inc CApltAl, Woulu furnish q sufficient
amount to enable those having the matter in
charge to render this metropolis the handsomest
city in the world. The amount expended by
the Board upon the avenues is 81, 237 81 Sc
The amount before expended on
them by the District Is about $4,000, 90
An estimate IN detail of the amount needed
| to complete the improvement OF these avenues
| is appended to this report.
The citizens Of this District having voluntarily
taxed themselves for these improvements to an
amount equal 10 seven per cent. upon the gross
valuation OF their property, 1t is submitted that
| in fairness and equity, the General Government
should furnish proportionate amount for the
further prosecution OF the work. In this con-
nectioD, the Board submit the able report made
| by Senator Southland, Of New Jersey, in 1885,
winch presents q comprehensive statement of
fhe relations OF the General Government to the
District, 30 far as this question is concerned.
They also present documents showing the
amounts heretofore expended by the Govern
ment for this purpose, and giving other infor.
nation believed TO be important to full con-
sheraton OF this question. From these and the
general history Of the District, 1t will appear
i. That, including streets, avenues, reeervaS
tons, and lots, the Government acquired q title
in fee simple TO about four-tifths or the entire
srea Of the city Of Warrington, without an cost
whatever to the people Of the United States
2. That the original purpose, in laying out the