Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-12-14
The New District Government.

ments, o-day, our reporter called to ascertain
the leading features of the amendments. The
following interview explains the important mod
ifcations proposed, and also throws some light
upon the Morrill, bill:
RePorter.-I would thank you, General Chiu-
man, for brief outline Of the more important
changes suggested by your amendments 70 the
MOTTnl bill.
Delegate.-I will give it with pleasure. l must
first sa! that the horril bili In It's general scope
and theory, shows wisdom aud intelligence an
L think, when fully understood by the people
Will be regarded as an advance on any hin z
ever suggested. The fundamental idea of tn )
bill that it is the duty OF the nation to provide
Il 'uitsble government here, and b. come re-
'loEsible legally and politically for all is trans
actions; should support tr, ana secure for it ali
{. advantages, compatible with economy, US =
ally found at great capitals, and that in doinS
this The property OF tho District should only pay
GaT aud reasonable sum OF money, with cut
any regard VT atever to the amount contributed
by the general government. In short, that we
should pay reasonable tax into the United
States treasury, and that Congress should sp-
pTOpTiate all money to be here expended.
Repotter.-Why then amend th3 bI?
Delegate.-l do Lot propose to amend SO as to
disturb the harmony OF the bill; but think the
tax proposed by it is Onerous and too great. [
thlnk the principle as we'll as the e8eFc Sc of
self government should, and may, W ttholt az
fectibg tue operations Of the bill, be recognized
'htfe are several matters OF detail in which
have ventured to propose change, and dare
say there are others which l have overlooked
proper in this way, in the little time fOE exam
ination | have had TO 40 so; but my main puT-
pose was to get the bill before a committee OF
the House, SO that the whole subject Could be
considered, and the members of the Joint Com.
mittee receive the aid OF one OF the regular
committees OF the House.
RepCrter.-HoW do YOU UrOpOsa IN cho ose the
Regents?
Delegste.-I propose to call them Conmis
SO neTs lrsteSd Of Regents, as they were called
ia The 6rst government We were given, and az
hf M / hat Afnfl ll,.s
five shall be appointed by the President, ard
laat three shall bs elected by the people eYsry
two years, one OF Wh"m shall be chosen on the
minority principle, and that the Board shall
elect its own president. The three elected, Of
course, TO be residents aud voters Ia the District
provide Tor no other elections aud leave the
cntTe control and authority with this Board of
commissioners just as the morrill, bill does
Tie expense of frequent aud numerous elec ions
Is avoided, and at the same time the people are
feItestbted IN the governing power.
RepOIteT.-Do You provide for Delegate in
Congress?
Dslegate.-I do not. If that proposition Is
made II must come from some one else. L think
such Representative may be very useful. but
| am not sure that upon the theory of this bill
lie would be necessary. Upon this point feel
Perfectly free to act as the people may wish, for
Go not believe any possible contingency cOuld
-rise that would lead me TO serve again should [
be asked to. shall never cease to feel the
deepest concern for the welfare of the Capitol
and the coed people in it; but L have served my
March comes and am tree again.
Reporter.-What do you propose as to taxes?
Delegate.-The Morrill, bill ieVies 2 per cent
lax on real and personal property upon an ap-
prsisal such as would be made ''in payment OF
just debt due from solvent debtor" This
means the actual value in ordinary business
transactions, and w0uid increase our assessment
valuation to quite S15O 0CO 600, . per cent. on
which would yield g., 90 0)O revenue, more than
Iced now be expended for all purposes, TINS
leaving the government to appropriate nothing.
y hie the Morrill, bill looks TO the ultimate sp-
preparation by Congress, think we have had
CROUCH promises and postp0nements OF duty,
and that we may DOW demand some realization.
l provide tax Of one per cent which will raise
as much revenue az our people ought to pay, on
the MOirtu a. sesSmeDt, and put it in this way in
my amendme nj, nt,-"And for the purpose of OBJ
tanning the proper proportion of the expenses OF
governing and suitably improving said District
and to make Ii a 1t residence for tho capital OF
great nation. there shall he annually levied"
&c, 4 : "and Congress shall annually
appropriate an amount equal to the taxes levied
upon the real estate" &c. l also strike cut
several exempted classes, such as churches, col
leGes, property owned by n0n-fesdents, regular
sccumulatiOns OF life insurance companies,
money loaned on moftgsge-fOr see NO reason
Why these should not help pay for the privilege
OF good government. | also provide for Board
OF Appeal, to review the work Of the assessor5
and where citizen may 60 and protest sgainst
too high valuation.
gesiP
Delegate.--I will not go over the minor ones,
bat may mention that provide for buresu TO
take charge OF the water department.. 1t seems
TO me this is one Of the Host important, and
how 1t could have been overlooked cannot see,
j, oI course, provide for the election of Gem.
missioners, and this involves a change in the
| time provided fer the election of two of the
Board OF Education, which election 1 dispense
| with. 1t seems TO me that the Morrill, bill sug.
eess an election of certain officers who, accord
| ing 10 nay view, slcJald never be elected. Tn
less every officer is TO be elected let US keep the
schools out OF the political arena. I do not dis
trrb the proposed NJ unicipaI Court, but leave
the justices OF the Peace with limited lurisdc.
| ton. The Mor7ill bill makes no provision fol
| paying our detective force. This do, by re.
| storing the present law. This about covers thu
changes. W
RepoIter.-To what committee do you pro
pose TO refer the bill?
Delegate.-TO the District CosmIttee: and 4
snail be the chief object Of tho little time lef
| me Ia Official life 20 help perfect a government
| ior the District. 1t seems TO rle that the tim,
| isopportune, five will give little dsinteresteC
| attention to our best interests, to get a wis,
| frame OF government; and we have in the bill O
| the Joint Committee an excellent foundation Z,
| build uPoC. We cannot al agree, and we can
| not all get what we want; but If we are reason
| able we cai get about what Is right.