National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-10
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.

II appears tnAL the JOINT Opeclal SOmmlt-
tee of Investigation into District Affairs has
learned just enough, during the three long
months Of inquiry through which it has
passed, to become satisfied Of the fact that
the present form of government is too I'M
wieldy and expensive. This has been for
some mon.hs the opinion Of those best quail
flied to judge Of the matter. The commit
tee, however, does not seem to have arrived
at any satisfactory conclusion as TO what to
recommend as permanent substitats Or II.
In consequence. # has unlimited q bill pro-
viding for commission of control and su-
pervision of affsi rs in the interim. Il also
authorizes the First and Second Comptrol;
lers, of the Treasury to sct as board of
suditto adjustthsautstandin ding claims against
the Government and Board. Of Public
Works. By this means tits expected to ar
rive at the actual Indebtedness of the Dis
trict by next December. Provision IS also
made for the payment Of all the adjusted
Indebtedness in ffty-year bonds, bearing
three and sixty-five. hundredths per cent.
interest to be issued by the commissioners
Of the sinking fund, and guaranteed by the
United States. ...... .......
"A joint sub committee Of the two Houses
is provided for to draw up plan for a per-
manent District government to be sub
mitted to Congress at its next session.
The public works and property are to be
under the control Of an army engineer. to
be detailed by the President He is author
lied to complete the works already COM
menced, under the supervision of the com
missioners, SO that the public necessities
and convenience may not suffer by their
neglect but no new works are to be under
taken.
The taxes of Washington are increased to
three dollars on the hundred, those of
Georgetown to two and half, and those of
the county to two dollars.
The bill seems crude and imperfect in
some respects. 1t provides for no salaries
for the commissioners of control The
Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, who
serve now without pay, are required to give
bonds in the sum of 100000 each. 1t is
hardly probable that many men who are
fit for the positions will be found willing to
serve upon such terms. The salaries of all
officers, except teachersint the public schools,
are reduced 20 rsr cent. This provision
will bear very hard upon nearly all who
perform the most arduous service of the
government. No doubt all these and many
other matters which appear to have been
overlooked will be provided for in the con-
side ration of the bill The per diem and
expenses of the Legislative Assembly are
also without mention.
The memorialists and their sympathizersI
will groan at the rate of taxation, and ask
for its modification. The Comptrollers of
the Treasury will doubtless make wry faces
at this addition to their labors and response.
bilities. Auditing the thousand and one
little claims which viii be preferred against
the defunct government will scarcely add
to the dignity and importance of their posi-.
tons, to say nothing of the difficulty they
viii encounter in obtaining the honest nom
resident expert accountants whose services
they are expected to secure.
, But let US hope for the best results. THE
patient research and impartial care exhib-
tied by the committee in getting at the bot
tom of our District affairs, without casting
blame upon any one wrongfully can
not be too highly recommended.
1t is evident from the character Of the bill
that the committee does not feel satisfied of
Inc Intentional wrong doing of, ON present
onciais' while the magnitude of the work
performed and the money expended, CON-
oined with the unfinished state Of the work
ana the numerous claims outstanding con.
vinces Il that it is best to close up existing
contracts and provide for their settlement
before new enterprises are commenced.
The committee has doubtless recon.
mended the course which has seemed 70 II
most likely to secure this end. Is