The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-19

lugly see congress laSteu upon tnlS people
perpetual bondage as the result of their
unsxampled efforts to redeem the nations
Capital from disgrace.
A CONVINCING STATEMENT.
Mr.. Chapman gives q st ltement Of the &C.
count between the national and local gov
ernments at this time in the matter of the
improvement of streets and avenues, in
GLIDING sewers, which shows totals as fol.
lows:
Expended by District of
Columbia. SIC, 1875 40 20
Expended by government. 1900, $3.50 70
--
sl5,774.s24 90
q -.
To reimburse District of
Columbia excess of ex-
penditures one-half of
difference. ..:.."........"$7 1887 Az, 90
10 make the account square, Congress
should appropriate this sum.
Mr.. Chapman next gives the different
amounts paid by the government for the
support Of the police, the water depart
ment, gas, &c., which statement shows that
the United States have paid in lighting pub.
while the city of Washington and board
of public works have paid SAILS, 0S7. 20.
He shows that while the government for.
merly lighted many Of the streets and ave-
nues, both in Georgetown and Washing.
ton, and all of the public parks, that they
no longer light any of these, but that the
District is now paying $3.50, 900 annually
for lighting the public squares and grounds,
avenues and streets, while the government
is paying about $4,000 annually for light
ing around the Capitol and Presidents
house.
Congress has appropriated but $4,000
for the health department while the Dis
trict government ha appropriated $8S, 600.
The United States pays nothing towards
the support of the fire department, which,
since 1865, has cost the District $605, 900.
A PLAIN ACT OF JUSTICE.
He next presents in strong terms the
argument in favor Of Congressional aid to
our public schools; that from an expendi.
ture in 1851 of s26, 900 the schools have
grown to an expenditure varying from
$500, 900 to S400, 900 annually that from
900 pupils in 1860, the capacity has in
creased to 10000; that no people Of color
were in school in 1861, but now over
1000; that there are now over II, 900
children Of school age unable to get into
the public schools that only about q
per cent Of parents are taxpayers;
that nearly 81 per cent are children Of
parents in government employment that
nearly SO per cent are children of colored
people, and he explains why these classes
should be provided for, and how it is i'm
possible for the District government alone
to do it he showed that nearly 200, 000,-
900 acres Of land have been given to states
and territories for school purposes, besides
many million of dollars that since 1860
the total expense to the District govern
ment has been 80, 18S, 900. while the gene
raj government has donated Gen. Jackson's
stable lot valued at 81, 1000. - ss,..
Mr.. Chapman next shows that the local
government has expended on account of
improvements, police department, fire
department, public schools, &c., since
1900, $26 1896, 141. 80, and the general gov
eminent but $l0,S4l ,926.70. The grand
total of government expenditure, including
expenses for public parks, &C., he gives at
$l2, 1863, 363.79, leaving necessary to reim-
burse the DISTINGUISHING one-half the
difference-s6, 2,S8S.53.
THE DEMAND A VERY REASONABLE
ONE.
Mr.. Chapman next proceeded to say "If
we were trying this case on bill in equity,
there would be large item of interest
properly chargeable to the United States
on account OF the advance made by the
District government. There would also
be another large item in the proceeds OF
sale of lots, and interest upon the amount.
These, if considered, would more than
double the balance which have shown to
be due. What is needed above all things
here is consistent, well defined policy on
the part of Congress in the support of this
District government. | think the local
government has the right to ask that o
proper balance sheet should be struck be,
tween the United States and the District o.
Columbia"
THE PRESIDENT A FRIEND OF THE DIS
TRICT. @
There is one brave man who has daret
to lift up his voice out of the midst o
clamor, and remind Congress of its duty
He did it under sense Of high official re
sponsibility. He did it, too, not upon tn,
recommendation of some head of depart
ment, aud upon secondhand evidence, bu
from actual observation of the progress Q
improvements here. l will venture to So,
that no man in the District of Columbia
not even the Governor himself-has BEEF
the daily witness of so much of the work
in its detail as this man. Like hi
great prototype, Washington, VIII
watched the unfolding Of the plan of tn
city with the same keen interest that
botanist would the unfolding of rar
flower, or an artist the development Of
great picture, President Grant has watche
the rescue of the Capital from national dil
grace, and unsolicited, his strong sense
4 justice plainly reminds you Of duty to
long neglected. m ~
NE 4 =