Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-02
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Gov shepherds Answer to tho Con.
gressiOnal Committee.
Goveruor Shenherd has repliaA To ha intar

Gov. Shepherds Answer to tho Con.
gressiOnal Committee.
Governor Shepherd has replied to the inter
rogatories propounded by the Congressional
joint committee to investigate the affairs of the
District. The accompanying papers include
the original contracts made by the Board of
Public Works, numbering 1,o32, together with
the original measurements and vouchers, num-
bering 0,53I.
In answer to the question as to the indebted
ness of the old corporations of Washington and
Georgetown and the Levy Court when the new
government eft the District went into oper alton,
the report gives it at $500 500. The bonded
debt OF the District Of Columbia on January |,
1874, was so $50. The present assessed value
OF property is S96, i33 or, as against SI9,-
997 asa in 1871. The exhibit of the Auditor Of
the Board of Public Works shows the actual
cost of the work done under contract with the
board was less than five per cent. in excess of
the estimated cost. In reply to the question
What amount of money, if any, does the gov
eminent of the District estimate ought to be
paid by the United States for improvements to
public property made by the District? the ans
wer is that the Board OF Public Works in their
report to the President, dated LIST OF November
last, estimated such Indebtedness, and gave the
aggregate at 81 $40, 900. This, however, is but
small portion OF the sum equitably due by the
Government on account of expenditures made
by our citizens in their corporate capacity for
the improvement of the streets and avenues of
the city and the roads and thoroughfares of
streets
avenues are held in fee simple by the General
Government, according to the decision of the
Supreme Court. Acting under such construc-
ton the United States have in one case gained
397 $50 square feet by widening streets in the
vicinity OF the Capitol, which are worth, accord
ing to the appralsement of the adjoining pro-
perty, s5I6,o56. The General Government has
also retained the ground reclaimed by filling up
the canal, worth, at the valuation OF adjacent
property, 81 100000.
1t appears from the statement of the Register
hot from. IN - hnx.
ment went into operation, SO, 1879, 432 had been
expended by the citizens under the old corpo-
rations for public improvements. The expen-
ditures OF the Board of Public Works since the
creation of the District government have been:
Streets and avenues, SIS 562 $50; total expendi-
lures by citizens since 1902, S24.762 III. The
amount expended by the United States during
the same period was, on streets and avenues,
81 ,f16, 100; showing an excess Of expenditures
by citizens over government on the improve
ment Of streets and avenues and roads, nine
tentns OF which len are used absolutely by the gov
1t is shown that the real estate held by the
United States and the District fully equals, il
1t does not exceed, in value that owned by citi-
Zens
It is suggested that were plan adopted by
which The government would reimburse TO the
District the amount of outstanding indebted
ness OF the United States on account of i'm
prOvements, and annually hereafter contribute
just proportion toward current expenses As
well as the extDguishment of the local debt
with strict equity, and compare favorably with
the hberality exhibited by other governments
toward their capital cities. Under the act of
Congress and the Legislative Assembly 81, $50 1872
is exempted from taxation.
The report of the superintendent of public
schools shows that of those who attend the pub
lie schools of the District only twenty-seve per
cent. are the children of the tax PAYERS. While
almost every state and territory has been ia
vored by Congress with liberal donations eft
public lands for educational purposes, the Dis
trict, with its large transient population, has
received ne national aid whatever
The appropriation for the fire department
last year by the District government was $685.
400. Congress has rendered no aid to this ser =
vice, notwithstanding the large number and
great value OF government buildings in the Dis
trict. In view of this fact it can hardly be
doubted that Congress should make some pro-
vision toward its maintenance. OF 8, 233 street
lamps, only 103 are paid for by the general gov
eminent. The District pays Sl39, 941 annually,
ana the general government only 81 $50. The
only aid granted by Congress in defrayinp the
currentexpenses of'the District is an annual an
propriation toward the support of the police,
ana IL Is hoped they will adopt a similar course
toward the schools, fire department, and light
ing the streets. 1t is suggested by the Governor
mat authority be given for funding the out
standing bonds into one consolidated loan, bear
ing fair rate of interest and that the commit
tee personally visit and inspect the various Dis
trlct offices, and the improvements in order
MAJ they may see for themselves the operations
)t the one and the extent and value of the
other. ~ ~
The Governor states he had effected a nego-
tation for loan, based upon tax-lien certii-
Gates, sufhclent to pay the salaries of the school
teachers and members of the police and fire de-
partments, but owing to the grave unfounded
lmputatlons OF the memorialists, affecting the
District government, the realization of the loan
was deferred. Capital, always conservative
shuns an investment against which there is a
continued outcry, no matter how sound the Sc
curlties may be, and the misrepresentation of
fhn
have cost the people of this municipality hun
dre0s OF thousands of dollars and much suffer
ng. Referring to the sewer certificates, the
Governor inclosed the opinion OF CUSHING and
Black to show their legality and as heinz in ths
nature OF assessment certificates, and therefore
forming no part of the Indebtedness of the Dis
'Iict government Reference is made TO the
statement OF the assessors report, that the hum,
bier tax payers have met their assessm ents nm
tire amount. V, NV ""
The report of the Treasurer of the Board of
Public Works shows that they have received to
me 18th OF February, SIS ,256, 231, and expended
Sl4, sos ,052. The assets of the board are stated
at 2, and the total Liabilities, 81 $50 .95S.
t nis Is exclusive OF the amount due by the
United States for Improvements Of their prom
erty, p-0p'
Total amount of certificates of settlement,
slI ,546 90, for the following purposes: In the
contract, $40 ,29i ,094; for special improvements
OUTSIDE OF contracts, including material fur
nlshed, not included in measurements.
sZ,6o5,46Oi on account of miscellaneous expen-
dltures, other than special improvements, and
payable by special appropriations, 81 ,329 ,010;
Oh account of contingent expenses. pay of en-
ployes, &c, Ss9S oil; on account of water fund,
S370,077.
PRRsoNAL.-President Porter, of Yale Col
lege, was on the floor Of the Senate to-day, and
was the recipient of much attention. WEN
dell phillips was in the Senate chamber to-day.
PROPOSITION TO ABOLISH ANOTHER OFFICE.
MI. Adams II t oduced in the House this morn
ing bill which provides that at the expiration
OF two months from the passage of this act the
once OF Superintendent of Indian Affairs shall
De abohshed, and all laws relating to the ap-
polntment OF such officer shall be repealed, Re-
ferred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
NO Two GOVERNMENT CLERKS To BE Eu-
PLoYED FROM ONE FAMILY.-General Butler
onered resolution in the House TO- day, which
was passed, providing that in the employment
OF clerks In the several Departments and at the
Capitoi tnat no two of any one family shall be
mus employed, and that discharged Union sol.
aleIs snail have both preference in appoint
lans. NSS'S1 ei'A
ihk FRREDMKN's SAVINGS AND TRUST Com