National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-03

tied to register; the board empowered to ad-
minister oaths, and prosecute any attempt to
fraudulently register or vote, conviction for
either offence being punishable BY fine and
imprisonment; the registration lists to be ex-
tensively circulated, containing the full name
Of each voter, residence and occupation, and if
an owner of real estate. The board should
require proof of residence for a period of al
least one year within the District, substantial ted
in case of challenge by two known residents
proof Of owning property could be readily OBJ
tanned through the public records and evidence
of transfers held. Elections to be held every
two years. The necessary judges and clerks
of election to be appointed by the judges Of the
Supr enc Court, an equal number for each
voting place from each contesting party, the
qualifications being intelligence and strict re-
sponsibility. A poll-tax Of 81 to be levied for
the support of the schools upon each voter"
'Now, IT'S an important thing to know how
you would regulate the boardP
"Yhen elected, would have the board
bonded for the faithful performance of duty,
and organize by the selection Of one of theil
number as chairman or executive officer, with
the veto power. The Offices of collector, audi
tor, comptroller, water registrar, surveyor
and other subordinates to be appointed by the
executive and subject to confirmation by 6
majority of the board. They should hold fro
quent sessions in public and legislate upon al
subjects concerning our local government.
Committees appointed from among the board
could attend 70 the various details of duty In
conjunction with the executiVe-such as COM
mittee on police, on health, on highways or
fire department.
''Then you would abolish some existing
boards7''
eyes, sir, would abolish the Board Of
Health and the Board of Police"
Improvements and contracts how would
you regulate those 7"
"Contracts for improvement of the city and
all contracts for supplies, would have warded
to the lowest responsible bidder by the consent
of majority of the board, the engineer officer
having supervising charge of all work relat-
ing to improvements"
"And who would you have take charge Of
the moneyP'
IA treasurer; and would have him elected
by a majority of the board, who shall give
500, 900 bond. All moneys collected from taxes
and licenses and appropriations through Con-
gress to be deposited with the United States
Treasurer, spportioned to the various special
funds, and to be disbursed by action and au-
thority of the board. All payments should be
prompt at the close Of each month, and care
ful and perfect system Of accounts established.
A quarterly statement Of the condition of the
treasury-the receipts and disbursements
should be published in the daily papers for the
this kind, if favorable, would enhance the
value of property and improve our credit"
"Here let me ask you about our public
schools. They must be provided for"
''The school affairs could be regulated
through board of trustees selected from the
citizens, as formerly. Men of intelligence and
high qualifications would readily serve in that
capacity without compensation, and in no city
on this continent could better selections be
made, if judiciously chosen, than from among
the many men of culture and scholarly attain
ments who have made their homes in our
midst"
"And what are your views, Mr.. Dickson,
about assessments and taxes Z"
"An assessment of the valuation Of property
should be made triennialiy by competent per-
sons, and the United States should pay at least
one half of the entire annual cost of carrying
on the District government, reducing taxation
on individual property to about one and a half
per cent. on the hundred dollars"
"And what of our future as city-shan we
continue to improved"
Gas to the future Of this District, I look for
ward to the time when it will be regarded as
the handsomest of all our cities, as 1t is to-day
the most healthy and the best planned. The
spirit of rivalry in the West which demands
the removal Of the Capital to within its borders
has been broken down by the improvements
that have been made here in identifying our
thoroughfares and making our city q more
desirable spot for residences. Capital from
abroad has. found its way hither, and money
would flow here in the shape of real-estste in.
Yestments If we as people would only cease
our intestine family fight, and unite in urging
upon Congress 10 assume the relations toward
us which legally exist, and bear its full share
of the COST