National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-19

/ WINS 49,
/ some other stimulant, and that was provided By
Reavis and the Western capital movers" That
\ is the element which made this old ''sio1gh Of
/ despondn quake, and 70 Reayis x Co and few
energetic citizens here is the nation entitled for
the 6rst united action, resulting in TIE glorious
| transformation Of its capital.
Reporter. What do you think Of our late Ter
ritOrial form Of government
Mr.. Kilbourn. II vas not the fern Of govern
ment which preferred, but as Il was the best We
could get vas glad Of the change. For - cum
bersome and expensive Is It has been, there ia no
| gainssying that under Il Washington has bean
redeemed and regenerated; and instead Of IS
heretofore being q stencil n the nostrils Of tho
/ nation it has become the pride Of every Ameri-
can citizen who has visited Il since It's wonderful
/ tIGnsformstioa. ~
Reporter What are your views With references
/ 70 9 new form Of goVenments
Mr. Kilbo1rn. Ny plan e for . very simple and
economical government would have the
United States become Identified to the FULLEST ex-
tent in the government Of this District. Some Of
the important ofaces Of the community are now
regulated entirely By United States Government
officers under the direction Of Congress, and 1
would place the balance under the same control
and direction.
+ Reporter. What do vou allude to IS now being
under the control Of the General GoveFnmentf
Mr. KilbOurn. The Judiciary, police, Board Of
Health, sinking fund commissioners register Of
Wills recorder OF deeds and the temporary Com
missioners administering the general affairs Of
the District.
Reporter. How would you Ike to see the new
| government organiser
Mr.. Kilbourn. / hope to see q bill reported
which provides for placing our schools and educa-
tional Interests under the United States Commis-
sioner Of Education, and make school attendance
compulsory; for having the Board Of Health at
tached TO the United States Surgeon Generals
| Once; having the police department under the
direction of the War Department where as con-
SENATORS Of the peace it more properly belongs
than under the Department Of Justice, where il
| is now attached; the IRE department under the
Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds;
the judiciary, Of course, under the Department Of
Justice, where It lie now lodged; and would pro
vide for the Presidents appointing the justices Of
the peace, as formerly. The subordinate ofheers
Of these several branches hope to see appointed
from citizens Of the District, but all commits
stoned as officers Of the United States Govern
ment Ny deeided impression is that by thus
placing these branches under the direct RESPONSE
bllity Of the United States the several interests
would be regularly provided for the same as any
other bureau OF Government Those branches
that are now under the direct power Of the Gov
eminent are thus regularly appropriated for, and
why not make it applicable 70 our other depart
ments Of the District Of Columbia government
Reporter. How would you provide Tor the other
necessary rules and regulations3
Mr. KiIbourn. The administration Of the Ju-
dietary, Police, Educational, Sanitary and Fire
Department interests having thus been provided
| for under direction Of the General Government,
would place the other municipal affairs Of the
District under the administration Of three United
States commissioners, selected from citizens Of
the District Of Columbia, their powers and duties
clearly defined by Congressional enactments, and
bnef code Of municipal regulations, which could
| be amended from time 70 time BY succeeding
| Congresses as the situation Of our affairs de-
manded.
Reporter. What duties would devOlve upon
| these commissioners?
Mr. Kilbourn. All municipal affairs not pro-
vided for under the several departments hereto
fore mentioned. Their principal duties would be
the Improvement and care Of our streets, avenues
and highways; the completion Of ageneral sew
erage system, the necessary repairs, &c; control
Of building regulations establish ire limits man.
age the financial affairs, assess, collect and dis
burse the revenues Of the District in accordance.
with the code Of regulations as Congress might
provide In short, exercise all the necessary func-
lions pertaining 70 proper government not spe-
cially provided for through separate departments
as heretofore suggested In this manner the
United States becomes Identified with the gov
eminent Of the District in all its several branches
and Congress viii thus exercise exclusive legis
lation in all cases whatsoever"
Reporter. How about delegate in Congress?
MI KfbOurn. / am decidedly in favor Of having
the District represented in Congress, but not by
the election Of delegate. am opposed to any
election being held in the District would have
the new government bill provide that the chief Of
the three Commissioners, whom would desig-
nate as Governor q more convenient
and significant expression-that the HGoTernor"
should have the privilege Of membership Of the
House Of Representatives, the right to speak on
District matters, be member Of the District
Committee in short, TO possess the same functions,
so faI as District interests are concerned as are
now possessed by our Delegate In Congress. By
this arrangement our District would always be
represented, and in my Judgment, in q far more
efficient manner than BY the selection Of a dele
gate By the elap-trap Of an election in the Dis
trict in which partisan and bitter personal feel
ing and passions are aroused, and all the poisons
Of the political caldron are emitted forth in its
most disgusting details By the repeated eleetion
Of g delegate, party lines are kept drawn, and it
is quite likely that delegate will be elected
after ferce partisan contest, and md his views
not in harmony with the Congressional majority.
His force for accomplishing any particular good
for the District will then be greatly weakened.
| While in the manner suggest, the representa-
tive Of the District in Congress viii necessarily
be free from the faint Of extreme partisanship,
and will command the support Of Congressman
/ without regard to political differences. He will
be national representative instead OF partisan,
/ and that is Just what we want. There Is enough
political Wraugling in Congress here while in
session 10 satisfy the cravings Of one community,
without our getting up local squabble to give
vent to our political ideas.
| Reporter. Then you are opposed to all cleo
| tions9
Mr.. KiIbourn. Decidedly Yet, as afOrding an
opportunity for the "hOWling derVishes" Of the
independent press" and their dupes throughout
the country 70 understand distinctly the senti-
ments Of this community, would like to see an
| election held for the FIRST "GoVenor" or "ehief
commissioner
Reporter. What do you think would be the re-
suit Of such an election2
Mr.. Kflbourn. If Governor Shepherd would
consent to run, I think you VIII agree with me
| that, there would not be enough voters rallied
against him 70 mark, IS mile-stOnes the distances
etEeen the election districtsl In Justice to him.
/ and the President, who has so nobly stood by
him, would like to see such an opportunity for
the vfndication of his course and that the people
Of the country might thus see whether his spirit
Of wonderful energy and enterprise or that Of the
/ few old chronic barnaeles meet the approval Of
this ''tax-ridden community"
Reporter. Do you know what action or form Of
government the commission preparing the bill
have agreed upcn9
Mr.. KiIbouTn. 1 hear that they are IN favor Of
commissioners, the United States paying or as
umlng the District debt, and fxmg our talss on
real and personal property at q per cent. loon
gress pays OF the District debt It VIII not more
than balance accounts between the District and
General Government, for, since the seat Of gov
eminent vas established here the citizens have
paid millions and millions Of dollars for improve
ment Of Streets avenues, sewerage, &c., which
It was clearly the duty Of Congress 70 pay.
The whole sewerage system Of the Capital
should be at Government expense, and citizens
only pay for their lateral connections. The very
first consideration IN q sanitary as well IS All
other points Of view in order to make this suit
able place for ths Nations Capital suggests that
the United States Government should make all
the necessary general Improvements This Cap
itaI is for the benefit Of the people Of the United
States, and its Improvements should be made and
paid fer ny the General Government, and not by
the few people Of this vast nation who may hap
pen to reside within the limits Of the natonsseat
Of government. The tax upon the property Of
residents here should necessarily be very light
merely sufncient to defray the expenses Of such
incidental expenses connected with the admins
rntion Of its local shairs IS are not included in
the general improvements required In order 70