National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-11

ana payments Of the same, thus recognizing
their validity. The act comprehends every
species Of contract made by the Board OF Public
WORKS, excepting always such as might prove
to befTaudulent. While the Commission might
| concur with the taxpayers that these contracts
are IL excess OF what they should be, yet 10 Is
not subject coming before them in their on
clal capacity. These remarks are intended to
cover all the ground, and are final so far
as the present Commissioners are, concerned.
Had Congress taken the view that you do,
namely That all the contracts are illegal, they
would not have said II was impracticable to
impose taxation to provide for the payment,
nor have provided for the payment of eight
millions Of dollars In excess Of the Limitation
Of ten millions. You seem to ignore entirely
the act Of Congress In your paper before US.
The Commissioners recognize that they have
the power to finish up these contracts, and II
necessary TO make new ones. They say that
Congress covers oil defects, If any, In the con-
tracts, and provides way to finish them. The
Commissioners have come to the conclusion that
they will prosecute some Of them, because they
think It for the common good Of the people.
You have referred to the fact that the contracts
involve the District In debt In excess of that
limited by law. The act of July 10, 1872, and
August 10, providing for the payment of the in
terest and principal OF the District Indebtedness,
was cited as IN force up 10 the Goth Of June, at
which time It was virtually repealed by the act
authorizing the board Of audit to pass upon
the entire debt, reaching to some S1S 900 600.
Therefore they held that the whole subject
has been considered and acted upon by Con-
gress, and the defects healed by the last act.
The Commissioners felt It their duty to the
people that they should know the feelings
which prompt them in arriving at the decision
which they had made, and while they have no
advice 10 give, this was the deliberate and
unanimous decision of the government, and T.
Is irreVoeRble. A few days since the Commls-
sionsrs were called upon by Mr.. A. Cluss,
whom they believe was prompted by the very
best of motives, to warn them against con-
tract on B street, now being executed by Mr..
j. o. Evans. He represented that 1t was very
much in excess of the price which is being paid
for similar work in New York. The engineer
had been directed to examine 1t, and had re-
ported that the price paid is 81 cents, and that
the parking, which the contract includes, really
brings his work down to 40 cents per foot for
the tagging.
Mr.. Dennison, in conclusion, asked if the
committee had anything further to say or any
further inquiries to make.
Mr.. Wilson said they had not; they simply
came for q thorough understanding of the mat
ter, and would have preferred If the answer
had been given In writing.
Mr.. Dennison said he would accommodate
them, If possible.
The papers were then referred to General
Birney, assistant attorney for the Commission,
who will make a full report at an early day.
The following official orders were issued:
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
[Of1cial.1
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THEl e.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, \
WASHINGTON, August 10, 1874.
Ordered, LIST. That the Board Of Trustees for
Public Schools be requested 70 make an Item
lied report to the Commissioners Of the Dis
trict, as speedily as practicable, Of the amount
estimated as being necessary for school pur-
poses for the ensuing school year, and on what
account and for what purpose, including the
number of teachers, their rates Of eompenSa-
ton, where employed, and the character Of
their services, and including also books, fuel
and all other expenses.
%. That the board Of trustees be requested
not TO employ any teachers Of vocal or instru-
mental music or drawing for the ensuing
school-year, until AFTER the estimate above In
dicated shall have been submitted and confer
ence shall have been held between the trustees
and the Commissioners as to the number Of this
class Of teachers really required.
The Commissioners hope TO reduce the ex-
pense Of this department nearly S10o, 900 under
the new system. The unwieldy character Of
the old boards was apparent TO ell, and the
practical independence Of each sub-board let
The Commission are determined 10 reduce ex-
penses TO the lowest practicable limit, and to
that end will take the trouble TO give all osti-
mates and accounts their personal supervision.
FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
[ohcial.l
Ordered, That tho Board OF Fire Commits
sIoners be requested to mako an itemized re-
port to the Commissioners Of the District forth
with Of the amount estimated as being neces-
sary for the purposes Of the FIRE department
until the close Of the fiscal year ending June
80, 1873, and what account, and for what pur-
pose, including the number Of officials and
employees, their rates Of compensation and
where employed.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
[01icial.l
Ordered, That paragraph 2, of the order oil
July 10, 1874, be so amended as to read as fol-
lows:
Ordered, That no advertising or job printing
shall be done by any department, or any officer
or employee under this Commission, excepting
on the written direction Of the Commissioners;
and no account Of that character shall be aud
tied or paid without such sntecedent authority.