National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-22
TAXATION.

One would suppose, to read the accounts
of the prodigal expenditures Of our Board
of Public Works, charged by the memo
rialists and their organs, that the citizens OF
the District must not only be the most ter
ribly tax-ridden in the land, but that they
had nothing of consequence to show for it.
And yet some of these chronic directors
will tell you that the board have done
twenty years work in one, and taxed them
as much in one year for improvements as
they should have been taxed in twenty.
Again, others will aver that nothing that
has been done has been well done that il
is of f1imsy and temporary character, while
the taxes are simply frightful, unprecedent-
ed, ruinous. All admit that our streets and
walks were never so good, comfortable or
handsome our parks never so well dressed
or tastefully ornamented; our streets and
avenues so charmingly flanked with trees,
so well drained by the sewers. so neatly
kept by the sweepers and, better and more
valuable than all else, our city was never
so healthy, so free from chills and fever
and from all contagious diseases, which are
generated by swamps and cesspools and de-
cayed vegetable matter.
In addition TO all this, the expenditure OF
the large sums of money which have been
paid out here by the District government
have greatly increased the growth of the
city in population and wealth. The resi-
dent laborers have been employed at home,
who would otherwise have been Obliged. to
go elsewhere for employment. Their wages
have enabled those of them who are house
owners to pay their taxes and retain their
property, which they might otherwise have
been compelled tosell, to procure provisions
and clothing for themselves and their fami-
lies. In most of these cases they can now
sell their property for twice to three times
the assessed valuation that it paid taxes upon
before the board commenced its improve
ments. No complaints against the improve
ments or the taxes are heard from this class
They are abundantly satisfied in the en-
HANGED value of their property and Their
enjoyment of uninterrupted employment
until the commencement of this investiga
ton. They ore now indignant at the memo
rialists for keeping them out of their bach
pay and stopping their labors, for the fu
ture.
1t is the grasping, misery property own
ers who object to being taxed for these i'm
provements; class that infests every city
They want the highest rents for the smalles
rooms and the fewest accommodations ant
conveniences. They bind their tenants t.
make their own repairs or do with the prem
ises as they are They grumble at taxes
they grumble at repairs; they never papel
or paint except when they are preparing L
double the rent. These are the people VIII
are growing about Improvements and IN
sisting that taxes here are ruinous. The
have managed to attract the sympathies
a few PEOPLE who have not examined an
enjoyed our improved streets. But tn
truth is that after all they are taxed les
than the people of many other cities VIII
have no modern pavements. Baltimore
more highly taxed to-day than the District
The citizens of Baltimore are taxed two an
five-sixteenth dollars on the hundred do!
lars valuation, exclusive Of fifty cents roa
and bridge tax and various other specii
taxes for specific purposes. 1t is we
known that Baltimore has been considere
one of the most economically governe
cities in the country. But it is certain TIL
they have but few improvements to sho
for their money, compared with those
the District of Columbia, and still Al
obliged to pay from fifty to seventy fly
cents on the hundred dollars more tax.