National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-15
NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
REPLY OF THE COMMISSION TO TIE
TAX-PAEERS.

WHY THEY CONTINUED EXISTING CON-
| TRACTs-CoNGREss AUTHORIZED THEM,
AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO CON-
GREss ALoNE-FULL TEXT OF THE COM
PLANT AND ANsWER-oTHER BUsI-
NESS.
Columbia building was comparatively dull yes
terday. In the morning the members OF the new
Board Of School Trustees called, report Of
which is published elsewhere.
The comptroller was engaged in paying OF the
special supsrintendents Of the late Board Of
| Works. f. 80 . a.. ..r
| Collector Cook hes recently been presented
with Q number Of tax-lien certificates, accomps-
MED with the request that the law be enforced.
These certificates dated July 1, 1873, and bear
ten per cent interest," with the proViso that ct the
expiration Of one year, II not taken up, the prop
erty shall be duly advertised and sold ct public
auction. The collector is now engaged In making
list for publication Of the property in arrears.
Among the notable events Of yesterday was the
payment by MessrS. Dickson & Patterson Of the
sum Of Ss,O63 Of taxes for special improvements
due by Hon Joshua Hill, Senator from GeorgiG.
The Senator evidently thinks that the capital
willremain where It is, and that his property In
Vestments are good.
The following is the letter Of the taxpayers
and the reply Of the Commissioners on the sub
ject Of contracts:
To tie Honorable the commisstOners Of the District
| The undersigned, by the authority Of the Tax
payers Association Of the District Of Columbia,
| respectfully present for your consideration the
following resolutions, adopted ct regular meet
Whereas It was clearly established by the testi-
mony presented before the late committee OF inves
| tigation amongst other things, that large num-
| Der of unlawful contracts were awarded by the
late Board OF Public Works, involving large sums
Of money! and that excessive prices were agreed
such contracts and whereas II is reported that the
| Board of Commissioners have recognized many Of
| continue the prosecution of the improvements
embraced therein and let at such excessive
prices
whose duty 1t shall be to take immediate steps,
either by representing the true condition Of these
matters to said Commissioners or oy bringing the
necessary suit or suits In the courts OF the District
to arrest and prevent further action BY said CON-
missioners in this direction.
Resolved That It is the sense Of this association
that until the Indebtedness Of this District be as
certRined, as required by the recent act Of Con-
gross, no further Improvements should be made
unless in exceptional cases where the neces-
sties Of the publioimperatiVely demand the same;
and that in these latter cases the work shall not
be begun until new contracts have been made,
after public advertisement to secure proper CON-
RsIOiUsd, That the chairman Of the executive
Special COMMITTEES Of three, to whom shalt Be re-
feTred the foregoing resolutions,
We hope We may be permitted TO add that It Is
men Of your vel -known intelligence and large
experience In public affairs, but we simply claim
greater knowledge in regard to these special mat
mately familiar for several years.
For this reason we trust that q frank exposi-
tion Of opinions will be kindly received BY your
honorable body; and We earnestly hope that this
appeal to the sense Of Justice OF impartial geptle
mon will relieve Us from the necessity Of appeal;
opinions honestly entertained.
We appreciate fully the delicate and responsi-
BILE trusts assumed BY you in accepting your
present official positions and willingly concede
your entire disnterestedness ofpurpose In accept
Ing your appointments.
But in the discharge Of our duties permit Us to
enter our earnest protest against the continuance
Of any Of the contracts for improvements made
with the late Board Of Public Works. And 10
support Of this we submit the following reasons,
that TO Us seem conclusive;
l. The estimated cost Of the entire system Of
improvements to be made by the Board Of Public
Works was se,67S, s9T.-Page 8, Report Of Select
"The said board have expended and contracted
to sxpend S1s, s72 565.I6"-Page T. Report Of S. o.
board enter into contract for any work or I'm
proVement the cost Of which snail exceed the
amount estimated therefor IN its aforesaid plan,
letI 20 peI centutn Of said estimatesn
3. "That Said Board of Public Works shall
have no power TO hREe contracts 70 bind said Dis
trict to the payment Of Rp9 s1ms 81 EiSS12ey: ex-
been @sds"4sseOnd is1iSa, tfsSnio sot I'- nv -.''
4, ( The law further pSSyidsd that Us Aggregate
debt Of the Dist;sg! 1hOqld poI exceed tye per
me TrOpOntOR sSOGS receive the
sanction Of the people By popular vOte.-Page 8,
And And in no event should the aggregate debt s1-
coed 3l0, 000, 600.
These contracts that your honorable body is
asked to continue arc described by the select
committee on page Of their report. 1.-THE board
adopted an erroneous aud, in its results, vicious
method Of letting contracts for their work, viz:
without competition open 70 the PubIlei ana tnst
payment Of an Increased price over and above
what would have boon paid If open, fair and free
competition had been invited"
TIE conclusion is irresistible that contracts"
unlawful in their inception vicious in their char
acter and ruinous In their effect should not be
adopted and continued BY commission acting
under limited and restrained poWers."-Rep,
And in conclusion permit US to add that
YOU honorable 1SSy s0nGpde sS
section OF the act Of June %, 1874, and ex-
pressed in the following guarded language: "But
said Commission, in the exercise Of such power or
authority, shall make no contract or incur any
obligations other than such contracts and obligR
tions as may be necessary TO the faithful admins
ment Of said District 10 the execution Of existing
legal obligations and contracts, and to the pro-
lection or preservation Of improvements existing,
SS. shas yoG viii
avoid the vicious system tnauRurated BY the late
| District government, and let the work TO the
Hoping to be advised Of your determination in
this matter, If you deem It consistent with your
official duties, at your earliest convenience, we
remain with great respect yours Seib
No 40 Sixth street northwest
THOMAS EVANS,
WRIGHT RVEs.