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

IN,
sued, are. .'S-Sl'.1-9 ~
Leaving balance to the credit Oft
District in the Treasury Of the
United States Oi..................... 16oSJ9 i
I Amount collected on account Of taxes,
as reported from collectors Othcc... l6JO5o9 "
Ofwhich-was from licenses. ......... S5,4Cs IS
/ From fines imposed by the courts on
account Of violations OF liquor IL
I Censes. judgments, &c, as reported
. by United States marshal and Dis
! From water fund ..................... 23,44l 81
Received from James A. Magruder,
/ late treasurer Board o! Pubic
/ WOrks................. 2.22j s.
/ From the same, seven certificates, aC-
count Of building fund.............. 10000 10
Miss account ...........,...., 900 90
lie Works. .e .. -, ~ IS
Received from George L. Baker, late
Comptroller District Of Columbia,
amounting .............., I57.OOo %
Deposited With the Treasurer Of the
United States for safe keeping,
bonds Of the District amounting to, $4,000 20
In accordance with section J. act OF Congress
approved January 20, 1874, this office has issued
TO date - 5n coo OF 5Oyear 365 bonds all Of which
have been COunteTsigncd and registered by the
Comptroller. and turned over to the Commissioners
OF the Sinking Fund.
The appropriations by Congress
OF which there has been expended for
payment OF officers and employees of
the District Of Columbia ........... ~. 652 g.
Ofieers and employees Board Public
WORKS. ................ ISZrZlS 10
Water Department. 32,7S7 IS
On account temporary loans. 4S4, 235 o.
On account interest. 81, 1872 -
On account wOrkingmen Of contractors 5O,6lS 80
ment.......... .........,..,-... 94,2gI Ii
Amount from taxes and revenue in ad-
lustment of account. ................. lUg.U2j 50
Leaving balance to the credit Of APP
propriatiOns .................. 24,3S2 %
nj he m
have refunded to the United States for its ad-
vanceS on account OF interest, $217, 1922.
Nine thousand five hundred and seventy-sX
warrants were issued by this office from July %,
1874, to December l, 1874. Each one was signed
by the Comptroller, and cOuntersgned by the
Auditor. one Of the Commissioners, and the
Treasurer, and paid at the Treasury OF the Uni
ted States.
Collector John F. Cook has, at considerable in
convenience, cashed many Of these warrants,
solely from a spirit Of accommodation TO the
holders. The act of Congress, approved March
., 1873, provides "fOr the purchase by the United
States Of the interest of the District of Columbia
in the present City Hall building in Washing
ton, and apprOprutes $4,000 therefor, the same
to be applied by said District only for the cree
tiOn Of suitable building for the District
officers, and the Governor and Board of Public
Works are authorized, II they deem it advisable
for that purpose, to make arrangements to secure
sufficient land fronting on Pennsylvania and
Louisiana avenues. between Seventh and Ninth
streets.
In accordance Herewith the sale of the City
(S750O0) was drawn from the United States
Treasury, a dangerous excavation was made on
Pennsylvania and Louisiana avenues, between
Seventh and Ninth streets, (Which remains to
this day. and and on the 2lst ult. Mr. James A.
Magruder, late treasurer of the Board Of Public
Works, turned over to this office, on Occount
Of the above appropriation, the sum of 81
l0sOl, together with 5000 Of sewer certificates.
The superintendent Of assessments estimates
the real property in the District at S9TST5, al.
In many cases the individuals appointed to this
duty (Of assessing) have been men without prop
and often reckless as to the valuation put
upon lands and improvements. 1t not I'M
frequently happens that assessments are
greatly in excess Of prices at whi2h prop
erty is sold. This fact, taken in connection with
the high rate of taxation, must rctard most seri-
Ously the growth and prosperity Of Washington,
whileit bears so heavily upon the community as to
amount in some cases to absolute COntscatiOn.
Our District governments have for many years
been unnecessarily complicated, and Wastefully
eXtraYagant. 1t is to be hoped that Congress
will, at its approaching session, establish over
estly administered.
It gives the Comptroller great pleasure as a
native WashingtOnian, to state that during his
official intercourse with you, gentlemen Commits
siOners, he has not failed TO appreciate the deep
interest manifested by you in all the affairs of this
District which have been entrusted to you, and he
feels that his tellOwcitiZeEs have reason 10 con-
graduate themselves that the responsibilities as
sumed by you have been discharged with such
marked ability. The changes made, with your
approval, since the 9th ult., in the personnel of
this office have contributed greatly to its eff
cheney, and it is pleasant to acknowledge the zeal
and fidelity with which the gentlemen connected
with It have labOred to produce the results which
are now respectfully submitted.
FITZHUGH CoYLE, Comptroller.