National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-04
THE DISTRICT OYERNEEYT

LIZ OLOL NLNL w A1LtH 4AE4N
II is impossible that the citizens of this
District should not feel great anxiety with
reference to the character of the new gov
eminent which will be awarded to them by
Congress at the approaching session. Their
first anxiety is to have an enactment def
nitely fixing the proportion of expenses
which the General Government of the Uni
ted States will assume as its share. The
second is a uniform and equitable method
of valuation and assessment, both for ordi-
nary expenses and for schools. And third,
a well-defned system for the improvement
of streets, alleys, &c, including sewerage,
parking and ornamentation. This latter
should be framed with due regard to the
rights Of all parties interested-the Gov
eminent, the property owners, and the
residents or occupants. The occupants,
being primarily the taxpayers, are entitled
to a voice in the formation and administra-
ton Of the government, whatever it may
be, that shall be determined upon.
If the Government represents one half
of the property of the District in point of
valuation it should bear one half of the ex-
penses of all improvements. If it con-
tributes nothing TO the school fund in the
shape of land or money endowments it
should also pay its proportion of school
tax. As its officers and employees consti-
tute large proportion of the population it
may be considered no more than fair that
the Government should assume one half of
the ordinary expenses of administering the
laws for the protection of life and property.
A carefully prepared code of laws is
much needed, adapted to the present popu-
lation. It would involve reorganization
Of our present system Of judiciary, per-
haps, from the peace and police establish
ments up to the courts of record. What
the Congressional Committee proposes to
recommend in regard to a new form of
government it has not yet made public.
1t is to be presumed, however, that it will
provide in some manner for all the matters
above named.
Above all things, it is to be hoped that
some form of administration will be Sc
lected which will involve individual re-
sponsibility. Let it be neither a trium-
virate nor duality. What is two mems
business is nobody's business in such mat
tiers. Collective governments without re-
sponsible heads are always of doubtful
utility. Like corporations, each member
is ready to claim the credit of good accom-
plished and shirk the responsibility of the
evil. A good and efficient administration
can only be expected from an undivided
and indiyisible head of firmness and cour-
age. A commission can rarely be found
to act as unit. 1t is too complicated for
the prompt action necessary to success.
Differences ofopinion have to be settled by
reference to courts or attorneys, involving
much time and expense. Such delays and
uncertainties should be avoided if possible.
An adverse decision, promptly given, is
almost always preferable to continual and
repeated references to varied and ire
sponsible authorities.
If Congress, then, will give to this Dis
trict good code of laws and government
thoroughly organized, with a single re-.
sponsible head to administer it, whether it
be elective or appointive, we may hope to
go forward prospecting and to prosper
With such government, containing such
provisions as we have indicated, permanent
and Interchangeable in its character, our citi-
zens will have the courage to press onward
with steady steps toward the goal of per-
lection which they have anticipated reach
ing. Capital will seek permanent invest
ment within our borders with an assurance
Of protection and reward. Now all is un.
certainty so far as the future is concerned.
Investments and improvements are at a
stand, and promise to remain so until we
have some government of permanent and
responsible character.