New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
WASHINGTON RING RULE.
THE SEWERAGE ACT EITHER A VIOLATION OF La
OR A BAREFACED Robbery.

WASHINGTON RING RULE.
THE SEWERAGE ACT ETHER A VIOLATION OF LAW
OR A BAREFACED ROBBERY.
To me gdflor Of The Tribune.
SIR. | SAW in recent TRIBUNE a dispatch
from Washington exposing the character OF some OF the
bills that passed the District Legislature at us recent
session. Il was reported that general sewerage
bill was passed authorizing assessment OF two cents
square foot all property in the CITY, without regard
10 position or whether all the sewerage about lot had
been finished. The amount thus levied is s2OoOOcO"
wish TO ask your Washington correspondent IL tnis
forms part OF the two per cent tax ON the assessed
value of property which the Legislature is allowed 10
levy for all purposes is 1t an extra assessment Tor l
proyements II ia the former then must be Illegal
as after providing for the payment OF interest on the
public debt OF the District and for the necessary cur
rent EXPENSES il will be impossible 10 levy special
sewerage tax without exceeding the two per cent limit
II It is to lie an additional assessment on property
after the bills rendered by the Board OF Public Works
are paid then 1t is an outrageous, barefaced roooery
Not single has been completed In the District OF
Columbia under the direction OF the Board OF Public
Works the cost OF which has not been provided Tor IN
the same manner that Of other work done on the
streets. Some property holders have already paid
assessments for great as they ought TO have
paid for all the improvements that have been MADE
In front of their property and since Congress allows the
Roard of Public Works TO property Only Tor ll'
provements immediately adjoining and by which IL Il 20
authority can be called upon to pay 800 more on
each city lot he after he has already pad the lI
amount that be legally assessed on h lana Tor tne
buding Of a IL looks 10 me like an attempt 10
collect 100000 either TO cover up illegal eApendlt
already made by the Board OF Public Works or To De
pocketed by the members Of the Ring"
Nep- YORK, July 6, 1878. WAsHrSGroNtAN
THE DISTRICT LEGISLATIVE WORTHY ONLY OF CON
TEMPT.
To the EditOr OF The Tribune.
SIR: The Legislature of this District, which
closed its session few days deserves the contempt
OF every decent the community, and can think
OF no words appropriate 60 toward them as those
spoken by Col Mcclure to the Pennsylvania Legislature
on the closing day of the session and published in THE
TRIBUNE at that time. Believing in the necessity OF
improving aud identifying the capital, have been
firm supporter OF our authorities until their own acts
have shown them TO be Ring only exceeded in infamy
by the New-York Tweed combination in that the latter
had larger field OF operations, and consequently more
opportunity for expansion Our Legislature has seemed
to he bur machine for registering the DEGREES OF this
Ring and have the spectacle OF our Board OF
Governor included appearing in the legislative hall and
urging through the most unjust and inquitous tax Dill
In utter and the most want0n disregard
for deeency. Our whole Government from beginning
TO end has shown that the worst statements OF It's
enemies fall short Of the truth and hope shall hear
the patent voice OF THE TRIBUNE on the side OF the
people and that 10 will not To aRttate the subject
Till our Ring shares the fate OF its prototype Tammany
Washingfon, ID. O., July 5, 1873. A REPUBLICAN,.