The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-02
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
Good Indians.
WASHINGTON, Feb. pa letter from Mr..
Brigham, agent of the Cheyenne river. agency,
reports that the Indians there on the 18th inst.
were quiet and friendly and without any signs
of trouble. there is at the agency large
band OF Sioux between 5000 and 5000 in num-
Der. The Interior Department called for
troops at the Red Cloud agency to prevent
trouble between the different tribes on the res
eavatiOn.
District Investigation.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-Gov. Shepherd has
replied to the interrogations propounded by the
Committee to investigate the affairs of the
District of Columbia. The papers include
works, numbering 1882, with the original
measurements and vouchers numbering TO-
537
The Indebtedness of old corporations of
Washington and Georgetown and levy court
when the new government went into effect is
stated at 50 1920 ,626 bonded debt. OF the Dis
trct of Columbia, Jan. LIST, 1874. was $685.
$50 The property is $96 ,443, 072 as against
1919, 997, 554 in 1871. The exhibit of the auditor
shows the actual cost of the work done under
contract with the Board of Public Works was
less than per cent. in excess of the estimated
cost. In reply to the question what amount
does the District government estimate ought to
be paid by the United States for improvements
ment, the answer is that the Board of Public
Works on their report to the President date
the LIST of Nov, last, estimated such indebted
ness at $4,000,370.
This, however, is a small portion of the sum
equitably due by the government on account of
expenditures made by citizens in corporate ca
pacity for improvement of streets and avenues
of the city and roads and thoroughfares of 9TH
er parts of the district. The streets and ave-
nues are held in fee simple by the general gov
Inr tn fhn dops rs %l1
preme Court, acting under such construction.
The United States have in one case gained
1891, $50 square feet by enclosing the streets in
the vicinity of the Capitol, which are worth, ac-
eOrding to the appraisement of adjoining prop
ertv, $576,056. The general government has
also retained TIE ground reclaimed by filling up
the canal, worth, at the valuation of adjoining
property, $2,500000 1t appears from the
statement OF the register that from 1862 to 1871,
when the new government went into operation
that So, 1873, 432 was expended by citizens under
the old corporations for improvements. The
expenditures of tho hoard of1works sif)ce the
streets and avenues $15, 562, 685. The total ex-
penditures by citizens since 1902 is $24 1872 III.
The amount expended by the United States
for the same period on streets and avenues was
"a, 466, 706, showing an excess of expenditures
by the citizens over government on improve
ments on streets, avenues and roads, nine
tenths of which are used absolutely by the
government of $40, 285. All. 1t is shown that
Juo real estate uclu ny Tile " Q1teu states IN the
District folly equals if not exceed in value that
owned by the citizens. Under the acts of
Congress and tue Legislative assembly S615O..
23s worth of property belonging to the church
es is exempted from taxation
The report of the Superintendent of Public
Schools shows the attendance onIv twentv-
seven per cent. of the children If tax PAYERS
while almost every State and rerritory has
tions in public lands for educational purposes,
the District, with large transient population
has received no national aid whatever
The appropriation for the Fire Department
by the District government last year was $685.
4f6. Congress has rendered no aid to this
department notwithstanding large number
and great value of government buildings IN the
District.
OF the 1888 street lamps, only 1Os are paid
for by the General Government. The District
pays $139, 9H annually and the General Gov.
eminent only 81, $50.
The only aid granted by Congress in defray-
ing the current expenses of the District is an
annual appropriation towards the support of
the police, and is hoped they will adopt sim
liar course toward the schools, fire department
and the lighting of the streets.
The Governor suggests that authority be
given for the funding of outstanding bonds in
to one consolidated loan bearing fair rate of
interest. He had effected negotiation for
loan based upon tax lien certificates sufficient
TO pay the salaries of the school teachers and
members of the police and fire. departments,
but owing to the grave and unfOunded impu-
tations of memoralists effecting the District
government the realization of the loan was de-
feated. The misrepresentation of few de-
signing persons navey the Governor says, cost
the people Of this municipality hundreds of
thousands of dollars and much suffering. Re-
ferring to the sewer certificates the Governor
encloses the opinion of Messrs, Cushing and
Black to show their legality and as being in the
nature of assessment certificates, and there
fore forming no part of the indebtedness Of the
District government. Reference is made to
statement in the Assessors report that the
humber tax payers have met their assessments
uncomplaIningly and paid ten-twelfths of the
amount.
The report of the Treasurer. of the Board of
Public Works shows they have received to the
18th Of February, $15, 256, 232, and expended
$14,603, 052. The assets ST the Board is stated
at 49, 760 97, and the total liabilities at 81 $751;
95S This is exclusive of the amount due by
the United States government for improve
ments of the property.
The total amount of certificates of settle
ment issued ST.. 156, 564, as follows: For filing
purposes in prosecution OF special improve
ments done under contracts, 81, 294 ,094; for
special Improvements outside of contracts, in
Guiding material furnished not included in
measurements, 81. 265. AGO; on account of mis-
cellaneous expenditures other than special i'm
proponents and payable by special appropria-
ton, ST. 329; on account of contingent expenses,
pay of employees, &C., $685., oil; on account of
water fund, $3IU,UJ.
The answers of Governor Shepherd cover
| from 1900 to 1000 pages of manuscript and in
| cnde replies to az points in inquiry.
Sale of Gold.
The Secretary has directed the Assistant
Treasurer at New York to sell So, 900 900 of gold
for the month of March as follows: On the
first and third Thursdays each, 81, OOO, 900; on
the second and fourth Thursdays each $500, OOO
Various Matters.
| Senator Chandler gave an elegant entertain.
ment last night in honor of Chief Justice
| Wait
| Additional articles of agreement between
| Switzerland and the United States were enter
| ed into, providing for an interchange of postal
| cards at two cents from the United States and
ten centimes from Switzerland, prepaid in al
cases. The agreement goes into effect May
! LIST.
| f. D. Sewall of Maine, now special agent Of
| the Internal Revenue department on the Pa
| cific coast, will be appointed Revenue Super
| visor for New England in place of w. A. Sim
mons. The nomination of Manley having Deen
| withdrawn. that of Sewell will be sent ITO the
! Senate early next week.
Simmons leaves here for Boston to-n'ght'
Mr.. Butler in company wirh Simmons mace
visit to the several departments to-day.
| They called at the Executive Mansion. but the
| President was not in.
| The New York Post styles the confirmation
| of Simmons as the new battle OF Bunker Hill.
| The Posts Washington special states thai
| Butler will now oppose Judge Russell being ap
/ sufn fr