New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-07
EASHLEGTOY.
ABUSES OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
MORE EMBARR EssrSG REvEIArIONa-rHE SCHOOL
TEACHERS UNPALD~-suENCE OF r-kE LOCAL PRESS
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ABUSES OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
MORE ENBARR SssrSG REvE1ArIoNa-rHE SCHOOL
TEACHERs UNPAD-suENCE or r-kE LOCAL PRESS
OK TILE SUBJECT.
lBr rRLEGRAFH 70 TIE rRIRsNEi
WA=dTNGroN, April The street and sewer con-
tractors are not the only creditors n the Govern
ment q the District OF Columbia who are unable 10
get Their pay. Tho 1nnRal appropriation made BY
Congress for the expenses Of the Metropolitan Police
Of t8s District for the current year was
S20s,s90. This, Of course. has been regularly
disbursed. but the same act that made this
appropriation provided that a further sum- amount
ing % S0S94J should he paid 10 defray the expenses
Of the Metropolitan Police force IS the Cities OF
Washington and Georgetswn and the county be-
yond the limits Ct the caes IN the proportion cor
responding 20 the number OF privatcs allotted sever
ally % the precincts, and the authorities of the Dts
tT1ct are required 20 Levy special tax for the pay
ment Of this money. which ID not be used
for any other purposc. Now the fact that the
police Of the District have received no pay from the
District authorities fE more than three months
could only result from one Of two causes either the
failure Of the District authorities 70 levy the tax AZ
required by law, the Illegal use sf the money for
other purposes.
The public school teachers have been worse
treated than the policemen. They are dependent
entirely upon che District Government for their sal
ares no part Of their salary beng provided for By
the General Government and they have received
nothing for several months. The teachers propose
holding meeting next Saturday 70 devise some
method OF getting their pay. A circumstance
worthy OF mention IN connection with District
affairs is the silence Of the local press on the subject
The banks Of the District ara large holders Of the
auditors certificates Of the Board OF Public Works
which there Is no present prospect Of paying The
trsdesraen Of the cIty have taken them fer goods.
Laborers are obliged 20 live credit and even the
teachers and policemen can get no money.
II would be natural 70 suppose that the people Of
the District, and especially the taxpayers would be
anxious % know Just how their government stands
financially. If the Board Of Public Works has been
obliged % cancel S-.UD.OOO worth OF contracts for
paving &c. tne people who have been promised
patent wood and concrete pavements before their
residences the cOung Summer would ike %
but not one of the eight or ten daily, sunday aud
weekly journals printed N the District OF them
Democratic and Liberal. has a word 20 say on the
subject The Chronicle did mildly protest a few
weeks ago that 10 was not right to collect
assessments on property before the improve
meuts for which Assessments made had
been cumpeted. but the local press wOuld
be searched IN vain for any information ID regard 20
the present financial condition Of the District its
prospects Cor the future. Perhaps this can be
counted for BY the nct that during the first year Of
Its existence the District Government paid these pa
pers for advertising about $1,000. II ought 20 be
said IN justice 20 these papers that they longer
defending the Beard and have ceased abusing those
WHO print the truth about II.