New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-19
RING RULE AT WASHIN LTON.

AN EXTRAVAGANT BOAltDOA IUOblC NORhS.
now THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT Is coSDUcTEp-AN
INTERVIEW WITH W. W. CoKcohAN TIE MIL
LIoyARr AND PHILANTHRoPIsT, COScERNISG
THE IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ENORMOUS tx
PENDIrURE5-m1s OPINION or THE WASHINGTON
PRESS.
IFPoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRfBUSHl
WAsHINGToN. April 81 called upon w.
". Corcoran esq. the banker ana phliah'nroplSy
who is largely interested In real estate ana reporou
to be the wealthes man In this city He has maze o
cral gifts OF landed property TO found ana sustain INC
Corcoran Art Gallery the Louise Home for Aged Ladies
who have, through misfortune, been reduced 10 "ahI
and other charitable institutions.
Mr.. Corcoran has just recovered from severe Illness
is now improving and able TO ride out almost every day
Although advanced in years. Mr. Corcoran seems men
tally vigorous ever, and keeny alive everything
apperaIning to the welfare OF the community in when
he has long resided Having heard and read great
deal In reference to the manner tho soealed improve
mens at the national capital conducted by what
known as the Board Of Publc Works asked Mr. Cor
coran bis views upon these improvements. Mr. CorcO-
ran replied that no had been quite H. and unable to
take any particular in tho discussion OF local que
tions although he had large pecunaIy interest in and
felt deep socudc for the future Of the national cap
aI where he had long resided having watched the
growth OF the city almost from its infancy. lie said
have been n taxpayer many years but cannot ar TINS
moment recall the number OF local governments under
which We have lived. since have been citizen OF
Washington.
Reporter-During the earlier local administrations IN
the District were the elected and appointed to
Office vour abest and best citizens who considered 1t
more duty TO accept these municipal stations for the
general good than the pecunary dement's attached
to these placesl
Mr. Corcoran-I think so at least that was the aim OF
all good citizens Our earlier local governments were
very economically managed.
Reportcr-Up to tho time OF the late war, was not the
rate OF taxation in the District OF Columbia, according
TO your observation less than in most OF the States
Mr. Corcoran-It was no more. think It was consid-
eraby less than in OF the States.
Roporter-Was not Mayor Emery elected 10 succeed
Mr. Bowen as Mayor upon a distinct platform Of econ
omy and reform, and upon charges against Mt BoWehs
administration that it had been extravaganza
Mr. Corcoran-Reform and economical government
served as the great rayng cry at the time Mayor Emery
was elected bat his administration was displaced too
soon by the Territorial Government 10 have much OF
trial.
Reporter-Was not one Of the principal arguments
used by those in favor Of territorial government that
the blending OF the three governments Of the Cities Of
Washington Georgetown, and the Levy Court or county,
would largely reduce the number Of officers and expenses
in administering local government in the District!
Mr. Corcoran-Yes, | think it was and under that
suppostion and promise the Territorial Government was
undoubtedly created by Congress- and the control -FOUR
local matters practically taken out Of the hands OF the
citizens Of the District.
Rcporter-I see it stated in Of the newspapers,
thar instead Of reducing the number Of officers and ex-
nenses under this new government, the number OF
officers has been more than doubled the salaries have
been largely increased, ana the general running eA'
pcuses OF the new District government are five or SIX
times as much the under the three last adj
mini5tratoAs OF Washington Georgetown ana the Levy
Court u your opinion that these newspaper state
ffq1 1y- y OthprWls- :
Mr. Porcorar-Newspaper statements are sometimes
eggerated bet so far as have been able to judge the
EXPENSES have been largely increased under this new
Governments and think large number Of new officers
have been created.
Peporter-I notice in The Erening Stor which under
stand ia owned partly by Shepherd the Wee Presi-
dent OF the Board Of Public Works and should be good
authority that Mr. Slater, the Collector of Taxes, re-
morris that no has received between Sept l. 1872, and
uarch o. 1873 IA little less than seven monhs) $073-
100 &c. Yet learn tbat the Police Fund, the School
Fund and the Poor Fund, have all given ont or have
been used by the Board OF Works for other purposes
Can YOU tell ae we've this large sum Of money has
gomez
Mr. Corcorar-I cannot tell It is very strange, with
all this revenue collected from the people. that the
notice force are not paid and that the school teachers
are even in n worse condition II these appropriations
have been used other purposes bad state OF al
f1rs and shows that something must be radically wrong
I'm the financial management
Rcporter-The District Government as now consti-
tuted il practically under the control Of the Board
OF Public Works, composed Of Gov. Cooke, Messrs
shepherd Magrudcr, Brown, and Glass. Is it mott
Mr. Corcoran-Yes. l so understand it. The Board Of
Public Works seem ~ run the whole thing.
R,portcr-Have these men generally consulted with
t citizens residing on the different streets and avenues
in the city in regard to the improvements contemplated
or have they rushed headong and torn up the Streets
emitting down and filling up wherever they chose, with
out regard the opinions or rights OF those TO DO al
fected thereby
Mr.. Corcoran-They may have consulted with some.
They have cut down in front OF some peoples property
IN an extent which renders it almost impossible 10
secure an entrance their homes and have proceeded
generally without regard to the wishes OF those whose
property was ahocted.
Ronorter-In passing over tho city within day or
two for the purpose examining into the charges that
have been made against the Board OF Public Works,
notice that the pavement on Nnthst ana all
fine ctreets west OF the War Department. and IN fart all
the streets laid with concrete under the auspices OF the
BOARD OF Public Works, are sinking away Large OPEN
iucs or holes have appeared in many places In Short
all OF the concrete payemens except that lana IN 'front.'
of the Arlington Hotel, in wretched condition.
In your drives about the city, have you noticed the
places which have named and II so, can you tell me
the reason why the Board has not tut down as good
IA YOU caused to be laid in front OF the Airing
ton Hotel
Mr. Corcoran-I have noticed some Of the places to
which Won refer The work in front OF the Arlington
was well done the roadbed properly prepared and
t,c concrete laid in a worbmanlke manner. The work
on the streets to which you refer ia badly DONE and In
less than three years they will be in worse condition
than If this inferior work had never been performed
Tine pavcment in front of the Arlington seems TO wear
well and to stand all kinds Of weather. as this KIND OF
pavement generally will when OF good quality ana
nronerly laid IA the work in front of the Arlington
was nut down by property owners before the Board OF