New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01

special Committee may be appointed.
The effect of such rule as this can he easily seen
by any one familiar with the method OF conducting
business in the House. The meetings of the Stand
ing Committees are never open TO the public so that
the preliminary examination will be conducted IN
secret. Then if the supposed interests of the party
demand that great scandal shall be hushed up the
Committee may spend 80 much time In determining
whether an investigation shall take place OF not
that none will be left for the inquiry ITSELF should
one be ordered. Finally Standing Committees
OF the House have an opportunity to report put
once OF twice during session. if Committee de-
termnes that an investigation is necessary, the
probabilities are that it will never have an oppor-
tunity TO report that fact to the House.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
A STARTLING Observation-Disclosures OF THE
IMPROVEMENTS MADE-THE GENERAL GOVERN
MENT IN DEBT TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OVER MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE LIMrTA-
TONS OF LAW BY THE BoARD-THE PRESIDENT
SAID TO APPRovE ITS ACIIoN-FURTHER APPRo-
PRIATTONs AsKED-Gov. SHEPHERD THE RE-
sPoNsIBLE OFFICER.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-One of the most startling
documents which the President will send to Con-
gress tomorrow, among the documents that accom-
pany his message, will be the annual report OF the
Board of Public Works-a report which, like all
previous official outgivings of that institution, is
remarkable for the limited amount OF actual IN
formation il contains. Without quoting at length
those parts which refer only to the locality OF the
work that has been performed, or are devoted to
arguments in favor of still larger appropriations by
Congress, it is sufficient for the present to make
public the financial operations OF the Board as
exhibited by the very meager figures which IL SUD
mits as to the amount of money received and
expended. The report shows the following facts
appears the report OF the Treasurer that from
July 1871 to 49, 1873, the total receipts have been
$l47s9 $50 49, Tho expenditures for the same period
have been $33sG55 6I leaving balance OF sioj23 H.
The contracts entered into by the Board number9 and
deductng the amount estimated for water services ana
chargeabe directly property aggregate sl35Ol62 a.
this there remains TO be expended, for the com
pletion OF the work under contract, s636.037 a. On
June 40 1871 Board of Public Works made report
to the Legislature, in which IL estimated the entire
cost improving the city, including all the streets ana
avenues constructing roadways sidewalks, sewers &C.,
at 3s559S The Board admitted that this sum might ap-
extTavagant but promised 10 naugurate and com
plete within the limits OF the estimates, the compre-
hensive plan OF improvements proposed. The Board In
this years report, admits having received nearly
SIS 100000 and still Its work is far from complete Con
gress appropriated, during the last session. S25OOOO'
and solemnly enacted as follows:
That the said Board OF Public Works be and they
hereby prohibited from mourning or contracting further
liabilities behalf OF the United States, In the lm-
provemen OF streets avenues, and reservations, De
the amount Of appropriations previously made by
Congress, from entering into contract touching
such improvements behalf OF the United States ex
cept In pursuance of appropriations made By Congress
tAct OF jan g. 1881
The only appropriation which Congress gave the
Board for at the time the bill passed
was the act OF March g. 1873, In the following
words:
To complete improvements of streets and
opposite and around Government prop
ertY, S9l3,4Y &c.
This money has all been spent. and in spite of the
prohibition quoted above, the Board further re-
ports as follows:
District of Columbia, account Of improvements, as
in the statement hereto appended, il as follows
public buildings, &73,l71 rs; for work on avenues,
siO56.574 SO; for main sewerage, t464O6Sl s. Total
$4l70,4N a.
more glazing and defiant disregard OF the limitations
of law by public officers known, If the Board
OF Public Works, in the face Of the prohibition above
quoted, can involve the General Government in abili
ties amounting 10 100000 il increase those abll
to 100000 SOOOOcOo and the extent charac
ter Of the work done is excuse for the expendi-
ture. But it is said by the Ring in
this city that the President approves of the ac-
ton OF the Board OF Public Works, and will
mend an appropriation to reimburse them this
The financial statement of the Board already quoted
shows balance Of cash in the hands OF the treasurer OF
theiBoard of about sl5OOOO but further along Board
makes the following statement:
The recent financial troubles unfortunately prevented
any realization from sale OF the certificates
by act OF the Legislature approved June
&C. 1873 which has been negotiated In the City OF New
York at rates deemed advantageous to the District.
Thus suddenly deprived OF this means OF resource the
Board were, in many instances, compelled TO pay the
contractors with these certificates. which, In
with all securities had been seriously affected In value
consequent has generally been cheerfuly borne
the Board refer with qualification 10 the commendabe
spirit evnced under such adverse circumstances by the
principal contractors. IL ia earnestly hoped that Con-
gress viii make immediate provision for the payment OF
Indebtedness TO the District In order that the
stiles Of faithful contractors may DC promptly relieved.
SO appears that the report that the Board has lately
been unable TO pay lis contractors is true. But the
question naturally arises, "Wny they not paid out
OF the o. 10000 OF cash handi" The report, from
which these extracts made is signed by Mr. Alex r.
Shepherd Governor OF the District and by the other
members Of the Board Mr.. Shepherd has been APP
pointed TO his present position since Congress ad-
iourned, and his name VIII, therefore, be early
sent to the Senate for confirmation. Many leading Re
pnblicans and host OF Administration journals have
already denounced his appointment as one unfit to be
made and there will ne an almost universal demand
among law respecting people here and elsewhere that
his confirmation be postponed until after an honest and
IMPARTIAL special committee member or which Is in
real estate specuatons In wash
Dgton sa have reported upon the serious accusations
the Board OF which he has been tho responsible
executive officer.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.