National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-30
MARGARET MAHoNY
THE DISTRICT COMMISSION.

fOcSlblEtEx Of An OhGANlLAluON.
: Exfostmaster General Dennison, one of the
appointed commissioners for the District, ar
rived here yesterday. During the dag he had
an interyiaE with Secretary Bristow relative Il
the duties % the. ONCE towhieh he has beer
caiIed, sud 4 . understood that he VIII accept
the position. Mr.. Blow VIII arrive here to-day
and it is expected that he also WIN accept. Al
Mr. CatteIl will assume the Temporary duties
OF the office, this will make the commission
complete, and enable them TO immediateIy
commence the labors before them. The prin
cipal necessity of the day IL the institution Of
the commission In time TO prepare for the pay.
ment Of the interest on the District loan, which
that this will not be possible, owing TO the con-
ditions Imposed ~ Congress upon the forma-
ton Of the commission. Under the law theJ
are compelled TO give bond In the sum Of
CSC, 900 for the faithful performance Of their
duties, and It may not be possible for the con
summation of this act before the date upon
which the interest Of the debt should be pro-
vided for and met. But possibly the letter Of
Secretary Bristow viii be ample TO arrange for
this contingency, and be the warrant for the
financial agents of the District to meet the OBJ
legations nearly due, and thus preserve It's
credit, -ss.e.- % - S=S6s.- n
Al my rate Il will be source Of relief 70
find that the new government tis about 10 as
sumo its functions, and thus ailay the excite
ment incidental TO the uncertainty which has
been prevalent. Should the commissioners
qualify before July /, there viii be little time
required to fulfill all necessary business, as the
District officials have prepared all the neees-
sary forms and blanks TO complete the prelim-
mary arrangements for meeting the indebted
ness. Even the warrant with which TO draw
the money Is ready, and needs only the sigma
lures Of the commissioners to receive the money
appropriated by Congress.
The following Is the letter of Secretary Bris-
tow, which is q guarantee to the agents Of the
District that ell disbursements made by them
In the payment of interest on the loan viii be
promptly paid by the United States when the
commission is legally able to enter upon It's
duties:
A. Treasury pEPARrMENT, /
WAsHITGToN. June q, l94;
Geo. RaEsr Esq, President First National Bank,
SIR: am In receipt of your letter of the
25th instant, stating that the coupons due on
the first proximo upon the loans of the District
OF Columbia are payable at the aboye-named
bank, and the commissioners Of the sinking
fund request you to advance money for their
payment, and asking whether, II you make the
advance as requested, You can rely upon being
reimbursed from the appropriation made by
Congress for the District OF Columbia.
In reply have to state that the sum Of one
million three huadned -thousssa was ep-.
propriated 70 be expended by the commission
ers to be appointed for the government Of the
District, 10 be applied by tbem-frst, to the
payment of interest on the funded debt Of said
District due July 1, 1874. The act, as win be
observed from the above, contemplates that
the moneys appropriated shall be disbursed
through the Board Of Commissioners Of the
District. Upon the proper statement and Ger
tifeates of the commissioners the interest viii
be promptly paid by the Treasury.
Very respectfully,
B. IA. RRIsroH. SECRETARY.