National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-20
THE DISTRICT COMMISSION
THE WORK ON ALL STREET CONTRACTS
SUSPENDED.

THE WORK ON ALL : A'A@A1 4 - ~
SUSPENDED.
On Saturday the Board OF Commissioners
we're in session during the entire day, and
transacted considerable routine business
The following gentlemen have been appointed
,,otaries public: Samuel G. Young, Charles J.
WoIIard, Nathan X. Ellsworth, Jos. Donald
son, Charles f. Weaver, VIM. ID. MlnnlX'
Robt. j. Murray, A. c. HelYman, Arthur a
Rirne7, A. B. Kelley, Chas. II. Murray, A; Z.
Harmon, William Thompson and d. ClA5
Henry c. Harmon and C. c. Callan We're
appointed justices Of the peace:
Messrs. W. H. Collins and NJ. A flne nave 0
been appointed clerks in the deputy comPtro4-
The executive officer, Lieutenant aoxie, is
Tugyi a circular to contractors nothglng tn tI
that under the recent act OF congress lOF tIS
government of the District OF CoiuuoIS a.: ~
claims existing, OF hereafter created, lor winch
mo evidence Of Indebtedness has been issued,
80, 49, of contracts made by the Board of
PnbliS Works. are required to be examined and
ondited for settlement by the board OF audit,
,eonsistinc of the First and Second Comptrol-
Iers Of the Treasury Of the United states, VINO,
Tlpon such audit, will issue TO each clalmant
Certificate signed by said board, and counter
signed by the comptroller OF the DlsIrlc'' stat
ing the amount due, &c.
THE sinking fund commissioners are au H iSi.
lied TO exchange at par certain UoDus u q ~ re
District of Columbia provided for, SyADie my
years from August l, 1874, ana OeAIIns III
jerest at the rate of 3.65 per cent. per annum
g. a. tnJebtedoess evidenced by said certih-
oates Of the auditing board. No other pro
vision is made for payment for work done, or
hereafter to he done, under contracts made
with the Board of Public Works. The disposi-
ton of the appropriations made by Congress,
and of the revenue from taxes and other
1a1 Hryo nf of (lOOurrpGG and
none Of these revenues are available for pay
ment of said work. Its continuance, therefore,
under such contracts must be al the risk OF the
contractor In respect to the examination OF his
accounts by the board and the mode of pay
Tnent The pay rolls are nearly all completed
and it is expected payment will begin early thls
The following Official order was issued Sat,
urdGy:
OFFICE OF the COMMISSIONERS OF THE
WAsHISGTON, July Il, lS'4
Ordered, That all work under contracts OF
the late Board Of Public Works, except that
pertaining to sewers, is hereby suspended, ano
the same shall not be resumed except upon the
approval of the Commissioners, and by the
written order Of the engineer.
2. That an examination Of the work on the
sewers and other public improvements De mace
at once by the engineer Of this board, to deter
mine the initial point Of the work when is tc
be done under the Commission.
W. DKNNISON,
HENRY T. BLOW,
J. u. KETCHUM.
There seems to be q little difference OF
cp;n:on between the Board Of Health and the
Commission in regard TO the deposit Of twenty
five dollars Tor plumbers permit to open the
streets Some time ago the board, IN puTsu
ance Of law, decided that in certain cases prop
ertv must be drained into the sewers, and sc
notified the owners. Some failing TO comply
the board assumed the work itself, but in order
that It might be done as economically as pos
sible, advertised for proposals. The contract
was let to the firm Of P. Murray & Co., and in
order that the citizens and the District might
be alike protected the contractor was required
10 give bond in the sum Of ten thousand dol
lars for the faithful execution of his work, anc
that they would replace and keep in repair all
streets, sidewalks and parks for the period Of
six months. Both the contractors and board
think this ample security, and protest against
the required deposit. The contractors have
now at least one hundred orders, and TO make
the deposit would of course require the large
sum OF g., 500, which they cannot well spar'
from their business. 1t is probable the matte
will yet be arranged satisfactorily.