National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-08

District less said $4,000, 6l3 "A
But the aggregate sum thus stated includes
something more than the funded debt charged.
Bile exclusively TO the District Of Columbia.
The act Of Congress Of June 20, 1874, cOntem.
plates an appOrtionment between the United
States Government and the District Of CoIumb ia
in respect of the payment of the principal and in
terest Of the 3.65 bonds. Therefore, in computing
with precision, the bonded debt Of the Dis
triet, the aggregate sums above stated-as re-
spects 365 bonds now issued, the outstanding Ger.
tihcates Of the Board Of Audit, and the estimated
unadlusted claims pending before that board
should be reduced to the extent of the amount to
be apportiOned to the United States Government
in the manner indicated in the act Of Congress Of
June %, 1874
With such an adjustment and reyaluation Of
the taxable property of the District SO as to
equalize the assessments, aided by an economical
administration Of whatever form of government
Congress may establish, the propertY-holde OF
the District will be largely relieved OF their pres
ent unequal and onerous taxes. Under such con-
ditionS the debt Of the District will practically
cease being burden to the people Of the Dis
trict. With reasonable sinking fund for the
payment Of the principal the debt will be rapidly
extingulshed.
We append hereto the following reports:
L Report Of the secretary, showing the order;
Of the commissioner adapting the government
Board OF Public Works, the changes in the organ
iEation OF the trustees Of the public schools and
there institutions Of the District, sc.
2. The report Of the attorney for the District
shows that only in single Instance has any
effort been made to enioin the commissioners II
the discharge of their official duties In the cast
referred to an unsuccessful attempt was made t
prevent the Commissioners from superceding {
delinquent contractor in the prosecution of publi
work. 1t is gratifying to the Commissioners thai
in no other instance have their proceedings beer
the occasion Of recourse to the courts. 1t maJ
also be added that during their term of office M
judgments have been obtained against the Dis
trict.
The report of the attorney also refers to tn,
questions Of the title to wharf property in th'
District and Of the rental due from the Washing
ton Market Company, both Of which are subjects
Tor Congressional consideration.
The business of the Attorneys Office during thu
past hye months is also reported by that officer
and II will be observed that the Commissioner
have made no expenditure for legal counsel o.
services beyond the moderate salaries fixed b.
Attorney.
CONTROLLERS REPORT. q.
3. The report Of the Comptroller gives
Getaued statement Of the receipts and Gisburse
merits OF the Government from June 20. 1874, Il
DecshDer l, l5I4, accompanied by a detailed
statement certified by the Commissioners, show
ing all disbursements of the government of thu
i District within said period, and naming respec
accounts on which paid.
The act Of Congress approved June %, 1874
Iequlreo only that IN respect Of the COngressions
| appropriation therein made, no money should b.
drawn from the United States Treasury excep
upon detailed statement of the facts allow
lndleated. But depositing in the United State
Treasury all moneys received from all source
whatsoever, the Commissioners Of the Distric
extended to every disbursement the requirement
which the act Of Congress prescribed as to only
single class Of payments; and indeed, the Com
missioneTs added further precautions in respec
to every payment. Accompanying this repOr
will be found that Of the Deputy Comptroller
from which it appears that when from the aggre
/ gate sum now chargeable under existing laws L
private property by way Of assessment for specis
improvements, there shall have been deducted tn
aggregate sum OF the certificates payable frOu
the proceeds OF such assessments there will the
fourteen thousand ana fifty-four dollars an
thirtyseTen cents, which, when collected, will b