National Republican., 1874-07-11
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
NETTING At THE EO4RD OF TRADE
ROOMS LIST NIGHT.

ROOMS LIST NIGHT.
A CONsTgTUTION ADOPTED - ITS MAIN
FEATURES - MR.. A. E. PERRY DEMANDS
INDEMNITY FOR THE PAST AND sECUR-
ITY FOR THE FUTURE We ARE SLEEP
ING ON A VOLCANO-THE PEOPLE WON'T
BE sLAvES-WHAT HON. JOHN WILSON
THINKS.
An adjourned meeting Of the Taxpayers
Association was held last night at the rooms
of the Board of Trade; Mr.. Joseph H. Brad
1ey, IT., presided, and hr. William Il, Clagett
acted as secretary.
Mr. Clagett, after referring, in no very com
plmentsry terms, to the bUrlesque reports ol
the last meeting that appeared in some oi the
CITY pGpers, proceeded to read the minutes OF
that meeting as published in TIE NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN; which were adopted.
Nr. Wm. II. Philip made an explanation as
to the missing minutes of the first meeting, and
proceeded to read them He then made fur-
tber EXPLANATION as TO the cause Of his absence
from the last meeting. Both he and the prest-
dent CNT, Samuel BacOn) were under the I'm
preston that the rooms were otherwise engageu
for that evening. He denied, as charged Dy
Mr. H s. Davis that he was the ''concocter OF
the preseDt scbeme.n He had some two years
ago assisted in the organization OF taA-Pay-
ers association, before the iniquty OF sne l9qT
million loan was set on foot, and OF winch MI
Charles F. Peck was president
Mr.. Clagett made 0Tlel statements us
claiming any intention TO reIect ID any way
upon Colonel Philip
the association found no fault with his action;
but had the highest confidence in him, and
boDed to have his earnest cooperation
III. Peck, from the committee Of five, re-
r,orted a constitution for the government of the
organization, the name Of which shall be called
1.-THE Taxpayers Association of the District Of
Columbia" The objects of the association
shall be First, to give expression through
this organization to the views and advocate the
interests af those who contribute to the expense
Of the District government; second, to make
such aDDeals TO Congress as shall induce that
bOdy to iustly apDOrtiOn the liabilities between
the United States and the taxpayers OF the
District thiTd, TO secure careful economy
and a strict system OF accountaOnlty IN Ihe
expenditures Of money. All persons who pay
taxes on real estate in the District are made
eIirible to membership: but no person shall
remain a member who holds office or is can
fidate for Office under the government OF the
District, or under the Government OF the
United States which has reference TO DlstrlcL
affairs. The officers shall consist OF preSl-
dent, three vice presidents, q secretary
treasurer and an executive cOmmlItee OF
seventy DersOns all of whom shall be chosen
anpually The duties Of the several officers
are then defined.
The constitution was UNANIMOUSLY adopted.
Mr.. Arrick reported that the committee
wOuld repOrt bylaws at the next meeting, ana
the committee vas continued for that purpose.
Mr.. A Z. Perry suggested that the commit
fee make full report Of bylaws, permanent
officers, &c, at the next meeting. He re-
marked that we wanted men who would stand
fast. We should have indemnity for the past
and security for the future. We were stand
Ing on q slumbcring volcano. The people
would not syillingly submit to be slaves. he
repeated that they would demand indemnity
fer the past.
DR.. c. P. Culver was satisfied that the able
committee would 30 all that was required.
Mr.. J, T. Miller was in favor of extending
the time of the committee.
DR.. J. F. Snodgrass thought the committee
should be restricted in their powers.
Mr.. II. n. Easily was Of opinion that the
committee was fully competent 10 discharge
the duties intTusted to them. He thought that
this association should put itself in condition
to communicate at once with the District Com
missiOneTs, and therefore he would move that
officers be elected tonight. He cOncurred in
the sent .ment expressed by Mr.. Perry, that we
sEl uld nave indemnity for the past and security
for the future. There were important queS-
tions to be submitted TO the Commissioners at
once, among which was the question of the
legality of certain bonds growing out Of special
assessments, which, in the judgment Of many,
were illegal.
Mr.. A. F. Perry thought it was unwise to
scramble about officers tonight. There was no
necessity for haste. We should proceed slowly,
Consider plans and purposes deliberately, and
take care to select the best men for the offices.
mi IL.
should be solidly established, and therefore
the committee should have ample time. The
Commissioners were not yet in working order;
the Congressional committee was not vet ready
for action, and we should make haste slowly.
The committee should have ample time to con-
slider and look into details.
Mr. Early withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Perry's motion, that the committee re-
port OF the next meeting, was unanimously
adopted.
DR.. Snodgrass wanted the committee in
creased to IS, which was a suggestive number,
but the motion was not considered.
Hon. John Wilson concurred in what had
been done here tonight, but he was surprised
at the apathy Of the citizens, who were, as re-
marked by one of the speakers, sleeping on a
volcano. We knew not what troubles were
ahead. We should see that our property was
not mulcted in g debt Of 100000. We
should see TO il that our citizens were not re-
ouired to pay bonds in full TO that amount,
which were selling at IS cents on the dollar,
and most Of which were now in the hands Of
Spectators. We should see TO it that our citi
gens were not forced TO pay o corrupt bonus of
SO, 900. These and other matters should be
laid before the Commissioners and the interests
Of the District protected.
Mr.. Brooke MaCkall offered a series Of Teso-
lutions, which were referred to the committee
of five. They return thanks to Congress, the
JOint Special Committee, the new Commission
ers-with whom they agree to cooperate, ap-
plaud the reduction of expenses, but demand
the removal OF certain officers continued, de-
mand the improved streets shall be kept in
repair for the periods specified in the con-
tract, and that the railroad companies shall
pay their lawful cost Of the Improvements.
Mr.. Alexander Adamson offered the follow
ing: which was also referred to the committee
of FIVE:
ResoIUed, That committee Of ten be appointed
by the taxpayers meeting TO Immediately con-
fer with the district Commissioners. and request
the prompt dismissal q all officers Ul the present
District government appointed by the late Gov
eTnOT.
On motion of Mr.. Peck, the four gentlemen
were added to the committee Of five, and the
Chair was authorized to appoint them at sub
scQuent time.
The following additional names were sub 1
Ecribed to the platform of the association: J.
Van RiswiCk, Joseph Libbey, Louis Huber,
John Purdy, II. johnson, B. Mackall, jr., ,Tbos.
Jesup Miller, Chas. W. Denison, Alex. Adam
son, Anthony Best, J. ]. Coombs, Arthur Fen
dali, Chas. G. Ball ,Wm. II. Philip, {. +. Peck,
Thomas c. Wilson and Andrew J. Joyce.
The association then adjourned to next
Thursday night.
THE COURTS.
SPECIAL TERM-JUDGE wYLIE.