National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-15
WASHINGTON PAST AND PRES
ENT.
Mr.. HAWKINS TAYLOR ON THE COM
MISSIONERS AND THE "TAX-PAY-


Frs"
To the Editor OF the National Republican:
SIR 1t seems to me that if ever any people
needed rest and peace, 1t is the people Of this
city. Yet there seems to be no peace for us
the eyer-present ''tax-paying" grumblers seem
never to be satisfied. When l came here in
1861, many Of the wealthy taxpayers seemed
not well pleased, and were leaving and taking
all of their available means beyond the reach
of the tax collector. OtheT rich taxpayers
appeared equally displeasd with the manage
ment of the Government, but only gave the
enemy their sympathy. At that time there
was not street railroad nor a smooth foot Of
paved street in the city, and about the only
improvement that saw Of the streets was so
or more Irishmen digging up cobblestones and
putting them back again on Pennsylvania ave
nue., between the Navy Yard and Georgetown.
They called it improving the street, but it
seemed TO me that 1t was making the street
rougher, If possible, than before. The p0pu-
lation of the city at that time was little more
if any, than one third of what it is now, and
the value of the property about one sixth Of
what it is now. Since that time street railroads
have been built for the accommodation of the
people, Pennsylvania avenue has been paved
being the most ungainly and least desirable as
a place to live in, has been transformed into
the most beautiful, most healthy and most de-
sirable of any city in the Union as q place Of
residence. Yet, at every step taken for this
improvement 'the taxpayers" have been ready
with remonstrance. There has not q single
improvement been made, since have lived
here, that they have not protested against.
The improvements may be said to have COM
menced with Sayles ]. Bowen, when mayor.
He extended few sidewalks, and made q few
street crossings, but the taxpayers" turned
him out and put IN Emery, a most worthy nan,
but not much OIL public improvements. The
miserable condition of the streets finally so
disguised Congress that It determined TO place
the government of the city in the hands of q
set Of men who would so improve it as to make
It worthy of being the capital of this great ma
ton. To this end they established a Board of
Public Works to make the needed improve
ments, and President Grant, who has always
been the earnest friend Of the District, ap-
pointed on that board two old and two new
citizens, most excellent appointments, in ac-
cordance with the wish Of Congress. That
board, or rather A. r. Shepherd, the vice pres
ident of the board, has made the city what 1t
is-the pride of every lover of his country, and
worthy of being the national capital. Con-
gress and the Board of Public Works seeing
that the great work of renovating the city was
so far finished that no steps backward could
be taken, and that no special haste was needed
for the future, Congress, at the late session,
simplifed the system of government for the
District By placing the whole management in
the hands of three Commissioners. In the Sc
lection of these Commissioners the President
has given us three men, well worthy OF the pO-
sition, all men well and faYorably known
throughout the country, and all of them en-
tirely familiar with the needs and wants Of the
people Of the District; men Of enterprise, who
will be sure TO see that the District gets at the
hands Of Congress what is fair and right.
These Commissioners were unanimously con-
flrmed by the Senate, and, so far as i ever
heard, not citizen Of the District objected to
either Of them when appointed. Why cannot
these restless "tax-payers' let them alonel
Why the need Of any "ta1-payers'" organiza-
toni
The only result of taxpayers " organize
ton, or any other organization, to influence
the action Of the Commissioners will result in
injury TO tine best interest of the people of the
District. II Cur people would all unite in the
encouragement Of outsiders to come here and
buy our property and settle among us, and
enjoy with US the pleasure Of living in SO beau