Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-06-29
SmnlI Meeting OF Small Preperfy
Owners


Last night $50 meeting of tax payers was
called to assemble az Union League Il ali for the
purpose OF hearing the report OF the committee
Appointed to ufge the House Of Delegates tn
paxs what 10 known as "tEe Gray bill, which
proposed 70 extend The time OF payment of taxes
for special Improvements over i've years, 9th
interest, for the benefit t?) of property owners
Cor specIlstors.1 The meeting was not called To
order until past O'Clock, when there were less
than 30 persons present, most OF them very small
property bolders indeed, carrying their real
estate on their persons. Among the local poll
tcfans present were W. A. Freeman, A. Jones,
j. p Tustin, e. s. Atkinson, +. Profit, g.
Hstton, NJ. West, ard j. II. Crane.
The president not being present. Alfred Jones
was called 20 take the chair, and before taking
his seat made q few feeble remarks 70 the effect
that he desired il to be distinctly understood
was opposed to the reckless Mariner In which
they were made and the mode of assess
therefor (Sonething like this has been said be-
fore-Rep.) This meeting had nothing what
ever to do With politics, but It was proposed to
urite all the tax payers OF the District 20 that
they may protect themselves.
BROKEN PROMISES.
Mr.. j. L. Thomas, the president of the for
mer meeting, here entered the room, and MIR.
Jones invited him 10 take the chair. which, after
some persuasion, he did, and explained that the
first meeting was held on the 18th instant, and
a CONF ittee was appointed 10 urge on the House
OF Delegates the passage of the bill known as
the Gray bill, the object OF which was to give
tax payers the opportunity to pay for improve
OF the House promised the committee they
would vote for the bill in modified form, Civ
ing three years to pay the special tax, with eight
Per cent. interest, but they failed TO do il. He
said that under the present system the small
property holders would be obliged to sacrifice
their property; in fact, IL wouid be confscated.
Mr. TusTIN SOUNDS Tax NOTE or ALARM.
MIR. Tustin, from the committee TO prepare
an address to the public, subIaitted the report;
which was adopted.
The address says -" We desire, on the behalf
of those whom we represent. TO be distinctly
Understood as in favor OF public improvements
in this District; entirely willing, and even de-
sirous, that our streets and avenues should be
beautifed and improved AZ our cost, but we feel
that we may venture, without presumption, 70
ask that our rights and wishes in a matter of
such vital importance "a meeting the indebted
ness which the payment of taxes imposes upon
US may be respectfully considered. We think
We would prove recreant 20 every duty we owe
ourselves, our families, and, indeed, all classes
of our people, If we did not lift our voices and
sound the notes OF alarm in the hearing of all
in the midst of whom we live"
Mr.. FREEMAN ACKNOWLEDGES A 'CoWARDLY"
DEFEAT.
Mr. W. A. Freeman offered a resolution of
thanks TO the Council and me mbeTs OF the leeis-
lative assembly, especially those who voted for
ard advocated the passage of Council bill No.
1; calling attention to "the gentleinen who op-
posed the passage Of said bill, and through
whose influence IT was 30 cowardly defeated,
and trust that the defeat Of said bill NAV be
regarded as sufi cient cause TO secure their de-
feat, either in convention or at the ballot-box."
W.
ardly" be stricken out.
Mr.. Freeman so that, under the circum-
stances, no language was too strong TO use.
Ex-Counciiman Gaines wished the resolution
amended, as he did not want to thank men for
doing what they were obliged to do. He had
heard that IL was not intended, in the first
place, for the bill TO pass
The chairman said that it was only rumor
and they should not take notice of such reports.
The discussion was continued for some time,
and the resolution was finally adopted.
"CHINEE JUG3LER."
MIR. j. II. Merrill offered a resolution declar-
worthy 10 represent the property holders, and
that they would do anything TO further their
own selfish ends, ard that the voters in the dis
tricts where those persons reside should issue
circulars to the property holders to denounce
them as unworthy 10 represent them in any
respectable position in the District, more
especially (" Peter the Great' and the "Chinee
Juggle.." Merrill went OFF in his old strain
Of subsidized press, &c, and after repeated
points OF order. Zone of them being that he had
was shut of by laying the resolution on HnV the
table, 20 in the Affirmative and in the mega
tive.
.Dittee who waited on the members of the legls-
lature to make their reports verbally.
JONES' JERENIAD.
Mr.. A. Jones was the first to respond, and he
seated that he had called on Messrs Peter
Campbell, o. 8. b. Wall, 5. q. Brown and j.
". Mcknight. Campbell said If the money
Ate stop, and he d. asked whether it was worse
20 Kill a contractor or the p-operty-hslders.
eCanlPbell said he would favor the blipt three
years and 10 per cent, but the GOvernbr would
veto it if passed, because il he did not get the
money the government would be embarrassed.
Mcknight declared that, as nineteen districts
PEELED 20 support IT, Boswell aud MURRAY were
sympathetic, but did not believe that the bill
could pass. de then went to Wall and told him
what Boswell and Murray intended to do and
these me wa a ,rf
thing 10 beat the board OF public works, even to
cut their threats, and he WOULD not Affiliate with
any such people.
Ex-commis!01er Atkinson said the delegation
left the hall Of the House OF Delegates with the
impression that the bill would pass for three
yearf and per cent They had been told that
Il was fight against the hoard OF public works.
Everything 20 the Interest of the people is
eiaTged to be against that board. After some
further explanation, Atkinson then offered a
resolution that tie tax payers Use Iheir efforts
to start an independent paper lot subsidized to
be called the .'Anti-Ring Organ, the object of
which shall be TO show 40 the Outrageous
amounts paid for so-cailed improvements.
alter Atkinson had made g general charge
against the papers Except the PItrioC fer rif-
oriing and falsifying their meetings the resolu-
ton was adopted.
LIE B4anEs SAYS THERE Is CRISIS
ASSISTANT Sergeant-at-Aruis LeBarnes spoke
his little piece, urging that IL Wa their Guty
TO organize, and at the next election elect
delegate to Congress who will not be
tool OF the board OF public works, and that
they should also be prepared 70 protect them
selves. There are twenty grounds on which
they can resist the payment of onerous taxes
4 crisis was impending Ia relation TO these
taxes, and some few Of the moneyed men had
forTe ed accompany at Hallet Kilbourn's ice to
purehasesbe property OF the POOR men at the
tar sale-a ring arrangement. The rebel militia
OF the District was organized for the purpose OF
shooting yen down If you attempt 20 assert your
rights or strike for higher wsgss.
EBRGEANT-AT-Axns oRDwAY
followed IL q TRADE of some length, in which he
charged that in this District, where property
paid $40 per 800, owing 20 the inere ased assess
rnent the tax was really 1913 per 500. He was
III favor OF improvements but no. ia favor of
reckless expenditure OF money.
a. midnight the meeting adjourned
WHAT MADE THEN LAUGH.-In reference
to the article IL yesterdays STAR under the