Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-07
Our Dtstrtes Government.

On Saturday last the committee Of taxpayers,
Messrs. Jesse b. Wilson, Wright Rives and
Thomas Evans, laid before the District Com
missioners reply In writing TO the answer given
to former Communication from that sssoci-
alton in relation TO the extension and contin-
uation Of contracts, which has heretofore been
published in THE STAR.
This reply is in the nature OF an argument
against the continuance of the Improvements
under any of the old contracts made by the
Board OF Public Works, and in support of their
views frequent reference is made 70 the testi-
TO investigate District affairs last winter Thew
protest against the old system of letting con-
tracts without bids; the laying Of any more
wood psvements; indefinite specifications at
tsched to the contracts; insecurity of the bonds
in many cases, and irresponsibility of the prin-
cipals; the laying Of some Of the patent concrete
paYements, which they deem to be worthless;
the general bad quality of work already done
by the old contractors; the paying of heavy roy
atty for treated wood pavements the employ
ment OF foreign contractors to the exclusion of
our own mechanics and business men, &C., &c.
They express their opinion that Ii is unwfse to
improve property IL one cannot afford 1t, and
that cash can always build cheaper and better
than credit.
The paper is carefully drawn up and quite
lengthy, and is said to have been adopted by
the taxpayers association and by their commit
tee Of ninety at meeting on Friday night last.
Commissioner ketchsm received it, and prom
ised TO give 1t his early attention. written
response is expected from the Commissioners.
Tue Washington Gas Light Company has
bSSb " SAOSt SLA hp-poehc Otu
street, between Q and X streets northwest.
Also, one on b street, between 9TH and Sth
stress southeast.
The District Commissioners drew from the
Treasury to- day the sum of 500, s6l.5G, 1t being
the remaining balance TO their credit of the one
million three hundred thousand dollars Congress
sional appropriation.
Controller Baker has been engaged to-day in
paying up the odds and ends of the rolls already
before him. The clerks of the auditor are now
engaged in adjusting for consolidation the labor
rNf1c fars fafR will "a
some ten days. In the meantime the pol ice
will be paid. Among al the individuals paid
some thousands-Only one mistake has occurred,
| but this was rectifed this morning. 1t seems
| that in consolidating the rolls Of the laborers
under Mr.. VIM. ii. Chase, late superintendent
| of sewers and drains, the name of John Muir
ply appeared twice-once as a laborer and
| again as having furnished horse and cart.
| Sapposing this to be the same individual
the accounts were consolidated. and on
Friday the whole amount was paid to John M ur-
| ply, No. l. Soon after John Murphy, No. 2,
| presented himself, demanding to be paid. on
| examination ii was found that No. had not
| only received his own wages but the amount
| due No. 2-some S14S. The facts were commu-
nicsted TO Major Richards, who set the detec-
| tives to work, and this morning John Murphy,
| No. /, was found and brought up to the cap
tain's Office to settle. He acknowledged the
corn and shelled out, stating that when he got
home he calculated up what was coming to him
he thought some mistake had occurred, and
had KEEP. the money to return if 1t was not right
The controller very soon convinced him how II
was, and Murphy surrendered the S14S cheer.
| fully. 1t is not thought by the controller that
he meant to keep it, and no further action was
deemed necessary.