National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-24
THE NEW GOVERNMENT,
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
STILL HARD 1T WORK.

THE BOARD OF COAAISSIOHGRSI
STILL HARD 1T WORK.
NOTHING NEW IN REGARD TO CON-
TRACTs-THE FIREMEN TO BE PAID ON
MONDAY-AN ORDER WHICH SHOULD
BE REVoKED-VISITORs TO THE MAG
MATES,
Some people may think the board Of three
gentleman who are now, and have been for
the past month, engaged IN governing the ten
miles square and the inhabitants thereof have
q "soft thing" If they do they are sadly mis-
taken, and visit to the Columbia buildings,
and even a superficial glance at the amount
and character Of the labor to be done ana the
people they have to deal WITH would soon con-
vince them of their error.
They assumed the duties Of their Office COM
paratigelF ''greep" in such field, with but
little knowledge Of the magnitude Of the work
and less of the people they had TO deal with.
As q result, from the day Of the first meeting
70 the present time they have been criticised by
all, praised by few, and condemned by many
While they were striving earnestly to see
lust where they stood and how they could best
carry out the provisions Of the strict Law undeF
which they were acting, any quantity Of inter
ested gentlemen volunteered plenty OF 4uE ~
upon q variety Of subjects, and OF course ieiS
hurt that their advice was not at once SSeePVeo
and acted on, Not needing these seli-apPolnted
mentors the gentlemen have gone on qaletiy,
4ev after dsT preparing their work to the
hest of their ability, satisfied that the general
results would meet the approval OF the think
ing people. l.. -.
slight mistake. They must know that the re-
suit of thlir labor each day is anXiOusly
hooked for by the people, and that the press is
the only channel by which it can be con-
Yeyed. Notwithstanding this fact an order has
been issued that no information shall be given
by the subOrdinates in the office. How long
the rule will remain in force cannot be stated,
but it is hoped that it will be OF short duration,
and the usual channels Of information be left
open to the public.
Governor Denn!son left yesterday for a trip
to his home in Ohio, and expects TO be absent
about a week, but the other two gentlemen
were at their posts early, and transacted COZ
siderable routine business.
Among other things done yesterday it was
decided that the twenty per cent. reduction Of
salary did not include labOrcrs and per diem
employees, and that in the settlement Of &C
counts the orders and transfers would be de-
Quoted.
1t was also decided to have new and perfect
check-books made, but in order to save time
the old ones will be used for the first payments,
and clerks were husily engaged Yesterday i'll
writing the needed Endorsement and filling out
checks for the frcmen.
Some of the toOks and property Of the late
board having been withheld by the clerks in
charge, the comptroller was directed not 10
pav them their amount due until the return y.
said property.
Mr.. Joseph Lyon, draughtsman in the en-
gineer's office, resigned yesterday, and his
resignation was accepted.
The surveyor is busily engaged in making up !
lat ,Fa ! the
sion.
Among the visitors yesterday were Hon. B.
F. Butler and Hon. Montgomery Blair, 10th Of
whom had lengthy interviews with the Com
mission.
The credit balance on account OF taxes and |
revenues now in tank amount to nearly two
bundled thousand dollars, 10 which daily Gddi-
tons are being made.
The documents and records from the old ex-
ecutive office and Legislative Hall were &c
moved yesterday and placed in the vault.
A number Of contractors called in relation TO
the resumption Of work, but were informed
that 10 conclusions would be reached on the
subject l!ntiI Lieutenant HOXie had completed
VIC examination now in progress, which will
take some time. In this COpgcCtton the follow
ing hand case may lie cited hCssrs. White
more 4, Hamilton, the contractors for laying
sewers in Thirteenth street southwest, from Is
street TO the river, have nearly completed their
WOTk. On luCNGEy lLGg h6ES sLOppSu "
uerempLOTy order from the engineer, and neCes-
EARLY LEFT small open ditch which IS contrary
10 law. Subsequently a warrant was sworn
out by q police officer for this violation Of law,
and tie gent emen were taken before Judge
Sgell and fined. -
The attorney for the District, Mr.. Stanton,
is engaged now in preparing opinions upon
number of highly important subjects which
have been referred TO him for examination and
report.
An application for the erection of gas-lamps
on Seventeenth street, between VI street and
Massachusetts avenue, was made, and there
being no gas-mRin in said street the engineer
stated that it was not the purpose to have any
moro lamps erected at present, and perhaps
none this season, especially in remote sections
Of the District
The Commissioners made the following Or
der: That oil Old material upon the line OF pro-
posed improvements shall be measured and its
value assessed by the engineer before any work
is commenced. The value Of this material
ehall be credited to the improvement, and the
cost Of tie removal charged TO came. The con-
tractor for the work wifi be held responsible
for the old material. He will be charged with
its assessed value and credited with what is
used on the work or delivered at such points
as may be designated by the engineer, recciV-
ing fair price for the removal thereof.
The clerks in the board Of audit, seventeen
III nuulICTs hIo Justly GIlEdBG4 III ICCG4NlllS
claims Of all classes, but nothing Of special in
teTest transpired.
The comptroller having notified the Com
mission that he would be ready to begin the
payment Of employees on Monday, he has been
directed to open the ball with the tiTemen on
that morning. It is probable the police will be
next, and then the clerks and employees Of the
board and District government.
The following is q fair sample Of number
Of letters received at this Office as well US at
the Office Of the Commission, and it is more
than likely had some effect in their decision of
the subject as above stated.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July q, 1874.
To the Editor Of the NIfiOadl Republican:
SIR In your article on District affairs in
this mornings paper, reference was made TO a
decision about TO be made by the attorney for
the District, relative TO the legality Of the as
slgnmcnts Of the pay Of the District employees
which have been scattered about our city so
successfully during tho past year. in justice
to a large number Of merchants, landlords,
groceTs, tailors, and other business firms,
trust the decision will be in favor Of those who
hRld the orders. They have taken them at their
face value, supposing II a fair transaction, and
It would be pTeposterous 10 compel them TO
run the risk Of getting the money from the
discharged employees or dishonest official. or
course few thousand dollars worth Of them
have been bought by brokers and their friends,
who, no doubt in every case, paid the market |
price for them: but this fact, however, does not |
constitute a sufficient reason for violating the |
contracts which have been entered into by |
nearly every business man in this community. |
Let fair play be the motto, and there will be |
No necessity for injunctions, which might cause !
delay in making prompt payment 10 the needy. |
CONSTANT READER.
TTrRV FCrIDE