Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-06
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Of the Joint Congress.
saOnal Committee To day.

the memorialists against the officers of the Dis
uict government was resumed to-day. Senator
Thurman presided, and all the members of the
Special Committee were present, except Messrs.
boutwell, and Jewett.
The memorialists were reinforced in Numbers
this merning tby the appearance of Marcellus
West and the Wright brothers.
Mr.. Allison offered a resolution, which was
adopted, authorizing any chairman pro tenn to
administer oaths TO witnesses during the inyesti-
cation.
CONTROLLER BAKER RECALLED.
Mr.. Baker, District controller at half past
eleven O'Clock was recalled and examined. He
made reference to a law of June 20, 1872, au-
thOriZing the issue OF bonds, the same being an
act IN relation TO the liabilities of the CITY of
Washington. / stated Yesterday that the bonds
hypotbecated in New York were S6se 900; find
upon reference they amounted to $50 900; they
were to secure debt of S435 900, not S45O, 600
as stated yesterday; these notes were given to
anticipate taxes. The notes that have been
renewed were exhibited by withess to the COM
mlttee, and examined by Senator rhurmanl 1t
appears that the first note was issued March g.
1872, and the second September II, 1872. The
agreement between the District and the First
National Bank OF New York was thenGead. 1t
bears date November 10th, 1873.
q. As understand the, SlI 900 of coupons
payable in gold are agreed upon? A. Yes sir
The papers were admitted as evidence
Mr.. Merrick asked the committee to make
note OF the act of Congress of Mays, 1872, regu-
latiDg the disposition of the sinking fund bonds,
and repudiating a portion of the act of the
H., =.
Mr.. Baker, resuming We lost six months
taxes in the beginning of the government from
January to July, when the present District
authorities came IN possession, because no
Question by Mr.. Thurman Did L under
stand you yesterday that more money had been
applied for school purposes than was collected
A. Yes, sir; the oSerdraft is $4,000 in the
three years; the school fund owes this amount
TO other funds. 1t was allowed to draw on other
funds under the law authorizing the Governor
q. The overdraft was occasioned by the paw
ment OF old debts? A. Yes, sir, and the com
pletion of school houses.
q. How much was the actual debt due for
schoOi-h0uses when the present government
went into power? A. 1t Is Impossible to def
nitely state that.
sion was created and its functions. A. The
legislature created il under an act of the first
legislative assembly, approved June 16, 1871.
q. Who constituted that com mission? A.
From memory, would state VIM. Dickson a
Mr.. Faehtz, and A. 5. Pratt; they were some
three or four months completing their work;
their report is in print.
q. Under what law was the floating debt
funded !? A. Partially under the Law / have
referred TO this morning, OF June 20, 1872, sec
Ond legislative assembly.
Mr.. StaDton.-And under the act approved
Jan. 10, 1872. MIR. Stanton then quoted the
acts authorizing the appointment OF the sinking
fund commissioners.
Mr. Baker resuming The commissioners
under that act were the Governor ex Ofiicio, w
W. COrcoran, II. NJ. Sweeny and - ID wis
They have been continued in Office up to this
time, except the Governor.
EXAMINATION OF COLLECTOR CLEPHANR
Lewis ClephaDe, Collector OF Taxes was next
called and sworn, and was examined by Mr..
Thurman.
Q. Tell US precisely how much revenue was
collected for school purposes during the year
ISL. A. have Only been collector since 1873
| can refer to the books, however.
q. Give us the amount levied and collected2
A. There was levied in Washington 1914, 527. 9S,
in Georgetown s15, .0S, in the county S26,O OO
making total Tor that year OF Sil5, 6l9.O6; the
tod June LIST, 1871; the amount collected for
school purposes that year from November LIST,
TO July LIST, 1872, was: For Washington s317,-
co 206, for Georgetown S12 5000, for the county
so ,56S.47, making a total OF $780,, 1892; from
July, 1872, to January, 1873, there was collected
for Washington Sf29, 7i9 So, for Georgetown
b, s66Ol. in the county SIS ,70l.7O; from Janu-
airy i, 1913, to July, 1873, for Washington S43,-
l4i7I, for Georgetown (for salaries) 50, 3iS.2S,
tor school buildings s2,9S9 81, for the county
~7,I02TI, making a total OF So, 1851; from
July, 1873, to January, 1874, Washington $685.
Gals salaries, y Georgetown general expenses)
S3S, 1l5 As, buildings 81 $685. county So 653 &c.
from January to March, 1874, Washington
lsslsries) Sc 51s.32, general expenses s4,236 90,
Georgetown S6SoN, county al ,437 80; total
s13.211 IL. The total amount levied for school
1872 s3I7 1862 SO; the aggregate amount Of delin-
4uencles cannot state without making a CAL
culation; we don't keep it separate; the valua-
ton of property in 1871 was So, 217 1877, taken
under the present government; the aggregate
levy was 81 221 ,013 u; the collections for that
year L have not with me; have the amount
unpaid; there is due Of the levy of 1s11-'72 S62.
3SS Al for all purposes; for 1s72-73 S229 AZ 50:
there has been collected for the present wear
SOL, 9i0.13, leaving 81, 12G 81 81 unpaid
U what explanation do you give of that de-
lnguency? A: There is a large portion of
taxable-school property, Baltimore aud Ohio
railroad property, &C., which is on our books
Ny predecessors have exempted this class of
property. have notified the parties they must
pay. Stems were taken to force the railroad to
pay, but they got an Injunction out; they
claimed exemption under their charters; even
on new square of ground they have purchased
with taxes due thereon, they refuse to make
payment.
Q. Can you give an idea of the aggregate
amount of exempted property? A. We have
made a statement Of such property, which
amounts to about one-half million dollars;
buildings are included in assessors valuation:
land ard buildings enter into the assessment
separate. Property is valued, 1 think, at what
might be considered a forced cash sale. Tn re
are eleven assessment districts; the assessors
are appointed by the Governor; they hold Off &c
one year, and are subject to removal by t-s
Governor, for cause; they are not confirmed by
the Council; there Isl board of appeal; they
have jurisdiction of nothing but what is APP
pealed TO them In individual cases; the Cover
nor appoints that board.
By MIR. wilsen.-Q. Since the LIST of March,
1873. there has been collected S65, lis for the
teachers fund. By act approved Aug. %,
1871, there is provision making it the duty of
the collector to collect taxes and deposit the
same with the treasurer, posting the same to
the credit of respective funds. Has that act
ever been repealed? Has the money that has
been collected since July, 1873, been kept in
accordance with the provisions OF this act
A. We make eup a distribution once q week;
The school fund is entered separate and kept
distinct. II all the assessments for school pur-
poses were paid up the sum " ould amount in
the aggregate, including the county and
Georgetown, TO S2Oi, $685., and that amount
would be available.
q. Give US statement as to the origin of the
oyerdraft on the teachers fund. A. cannot;
i know nothing of the funds paid out-only
those that come in. The District funds are kept
at the National Metropolitan Bank; they were
formerly kept, think, at the First National
Bank.
Q. Were they kept there ut the time of our
financial difficulties?
Mr.. Harrington.-There was law designating
that bank a. q depository for such funds.
CONTROLLER BAKER RECALLED.
Mr.. Baker recalled, and examined by Mr.. Al.
lison:-The money collected for school purposes
in full has been paid over to the treasurer of
the schools, on my warrant, certified by the
auditor, who audits the teachers payroll.
By Mr.. Wilson:-Q. Has that fund been paid
over as such, or has 1t been mingled with other
funds? A. acquisitions are made on me per Sc,
and pay out the money for teachers salaries.