Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-08
The District.

In6 DlSlELcL.
Forwarded herewith is the plan and re-
port Of the Commissioners appointed under
an act Of Congress approved June 20, 1874,
to wind up the affairs Of the District Gov
eminent. 1t will be seen from the report
that the total debt Of the District Of Co
lumbia, less assets on hand and available.
is: Bonded debt issued prior to July /,
1874, S., $50, $40. 43; 365 bonds, act of Con-
gress June 20, 1874, $2,OSS,16S. 10; Ger
tifeates of the Board Of Audit, s., 40, 1886.
Total, $15, IA, 667.61, less special improve
ments. Assessments eh1geable to private
property in excess of any demand against
such assessment, 81 ,614,054.37, less Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal bonds -$75, 900 and
Washington and Alexandria bonds S59,-
600; in the hands Of the Commissioners Of
the Sinking Fund, $l,74S, 054.37, leaving
the actual debt less said fund, Sl3,994,-
613.24.
In addition TO this, there are claims PEE
ferred against the Board Of the District
amounting inthe aggregate, reported by the
Board of Audit, s., 147, 7S7.4S, Of which the
greater part will probably be rejected. This
sum can with no more propriety be included
in the debt Of the District government than
the thousands Of claims against the General
Government be included as a portion of
the national debt. But the aggregate sum
thus stated includes something more than
the funded debt, chargeable exclusively to
the District Of Columbia. Theact Of Con-
gress at its last session contemplates an
between the United States
Government and the District Of Columbia,
In respect TO the payment of the principal
and interest Of the 36-5S bonds. Therefore.
in comprising with precision the bonded |
debt Of the District, the aggregate sums |
above stated, as respects the 365 bonds now |
issued, the outstanding certificates Of the |
Board of Audit, and the unadjusted claims
pending before that Board, should be re-
duced to the extent of the amount to be
to the United States in the
manner indicated in act of Congress Of
June 20, 1874.
especially invite your attention to the
recommendation Of the Commissioners of
the Sinking Fund relative to the ambiguity
Of the act of June 20, 1874, concerning the
interest on the District bonds, and the con-
sOlidation of indebtedness to the District.
feel much indebted 10 the gentlemen who
consented to leave their private affairs and
come from distance to attend to the bust
ness of this District, and for the able and
MLAOn u LIS Dccu
am sure their services will
De equally appreciated by the entire coun-
~. II will be seen from the accompany
ne report Of the Board Of Health that the
anitary condition of the District is very
satisfactory.
The City Of Magni6eent Distances.
In my opinion the District of Columbia '
hOuld be regarded as the ground Of the
ational capital, in which the entire people
re interested. l do not allude to this to
rye general appropriations to the District,
ut to draw the attention Of Congress in
aiming law for the government Of the
district to the magnificent scale on which !
le city was planned by the founders Of
Ne Government, the manner in which for
purposes the reservations,
reefs and avenues were laid out, and the n
roportion Of the property actually pos :
.ssed by the General Government.
link the proportion Of the expenses Of the
1vernment and improvements to be borne =
? the General Government, the cities Of
Tashington and Georgetown and the coun-
y should be carefully and equitably de-
ned. :
The Mississippi. 2
In accordance with section 8 Of the I