Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-26
What the Obstructionists are Doing,


ustment Of demand and supply.
what the ObstructiOnistsa are Doing.
We have heretofore referred to the fact tn at
the obstructionists, in the heat of their crusade
against the Board of Public Works, show them
selves willing TO sacrifice the interests of the
whole community in order that they may make
their selfish point. The whole drift and pur-
pose Of their memorials to Congress against
the Board have been to defeat appropriations,
break down the financial credit OF the Dis
trict, and prevent the continuation of i'm
provements; all to the single end of Grip
ping the District government. Thus, one of
the principal charges made to Congress against
the Board Is absolutely that through q too lib
eral estimate by General Babcock of the gov
ernments portion Of the Indebtedness for i'm
provements, the government has paid more
than its share; therefore, that, not only should
Congress not make further appropriations, but
the people OF the District should be required
70 refund the amount overpaid by government!
1t will undoubtedly be shown that the measure
ments were fair and accurate, and that the
government has paid no more than its lust ap-
portionment; but it is telling illustration of
the animus and temper under which these gem
tlemen are acting that in this investigation they
VIII laooriously seek to prove the contrary
Two other significant illustrations are at hand
Tne one Ii their reputed success in securing an
adverse report from the House Committee on
Public Lands upon the bill to grant a certain
amount Of the public lands in aid OF the pub-
lie school fund Of the District of Columbia
They have been industriously seeking to poison
the minds Of members Of Congress with the idea
that the school funds have been misappro-
priated by the Board, when, as concluslvely
shown by Gen. Chapman when the subject was
mp IN the House, the fact is that the school fund
Is Indebted to the District treasury, having lad
more than its percentage Of the taxes
collected, in order that some relief
might be afforded to the unpaid teachers.
Had the obstructionists walked up TO the COL
lector's Office and paid their taxes, instead of
Withholding the money for speculative pur-
poses, or to spite the District government. the
school fund would be in better condition. Were
the arresrsges OF taxes due for the current year
paid In, IL would place TO the credit of the
School fund the large sum of s234 900. But the
main reason why the school fund is so made
quate for its purposes, is that the school tax,
even II promptly paid, and though 1t is the
heaviest school tax levied, without exception,
by any city in the country Is Insult cient for the
burdens Of a school system which is tasked I,
educate the immense number of children of
non-taxpsyers here,-the children of govern.
ment employees, Congressman, and Of the soon
traband" food brought here BY the war. Under
these circumstances the malignancy that would
seek to defeat an appropriation of the public
lands for school purposes here. such as has been
granted 10 every other portion of the country,
needs only 70 be named to be characterized.
The other recent illustration referred to of
this malignant spirit appears in the shape of a
street, For the AemOrialists," and which has
been sent all through the country With the DUR
pose Of manufacturing public opinion against
the District government, and to induce
BONE pressure upon members of Congress 10
defeat appropriations for the District. This
precious circular says, with this view:-"As
reciprocal information, together with the
direct interest that every citizen has I'm the Ma
tonal Capital, and especially under its present
management, which has already obtained from
the National treasury about s3,75O,OOO, aud claim
from the present Congress an appropriation of
ABOUT 5000 900 more, with ind fnit, niIions -,
The future TO Be expended in sini,ar so-ealled in
we will proceed to briefly de-
scribe the work, which experience doubt-
lees VIII be Of profit to many cities. III
not 70 NJ, and especially if conqyess acts
aeisety IN ne present crisis in our Affairs.
AT great length, with q series of the most Infa-
nous fslsehoods in regard to the character os
the improvements made by the District govern
ment; designed to make the people of the couu-
try believe that the money expended upon
them has been worse than thrown away, and
that consequently Congress should be admon-
ished by their constituents to stop of all appro-
priations for the Distinct. The circular closes
as follows;-" The largest market Of the city
was given away to a company, and one nearly
a. large, rth an ezcelient building, and full of
supplies, was torn down by the Board over the
heads Of dealers at the dead of night IL mad a
City Hall, beautiful, large, fire proof buildtno.
admirably situated, but the Board aban-
doned IL, renting. altering and furnish
ing tour buildings for municipal purposes.
NJ great cost, and this, as we think, without
authority OF law" The fairness and truthful
ness OF this document may be estimated by its
allegations that the ricketty, moss covered old
Northern market shed was can excellent build
ing" and that no improvement has been effect
ed by its removal; and by the corresponding
statement that the District government had
ample accommodation for all its departments
In the City Hall, carefully ignoring the fact
that the United States government and the local
courts occupied nearly the entire building.
IL Is useless 10 expect any sense of shame on
the part Of the note-shsyers amongst the me
morislists who thrive upon the sufferings Of
others; but there are some good citizens and
well meaning men in the list who must blush at
the company IN which they ind themselves.
They owe II to themselves to p romptly repudiate
the false and malicious statements which "Co-
lumous Alexander, LOOT street, /" processes TO
Issue In their name.
Further interesting disclosures are mad. With
reference 70 the autopsy Of the Siamese twins.
We are now told that "the parsnchr,,.,o-