Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-15
The New District Government.

elciars, composed OF Drs. w, +. johnson and
son, Hall and Busey, called at the Office of the
District Commissioners and submitted a plan
for free dispensaries for the poor. The plans
papers are held under advisement BY the Com
mIssioners.
The contractor for lsying the asphalt pave-
ment around Scott statue has been notified that
the pavement on the east side has become de-
fecuve, by reason OF imperfect work OF improper
material, and has been requested TO repair the
same immediately, in accordance with the terms
Of his contract,
The engineer has transmitted a copy of the
building regulations, together with a memoran-
DUN OF the fire limits, as recently extended, and
a map showing the same, to the major and su-
perintendent OF police, requesting that he give
such instructions TO his force as will secure the
proper enforcement or the regulations, and the
summary arrest of offending parties.
Collector Cook has recently been presented
with a number of taX-lien certificates, accom-
panied With the request that the law be en-
forced. These certificates are dated July l.,
1873, and bear ten per cent. Interest, with the
proviso that at the expiration Of one year. if not
taken up, the property shall be duly advertised
and cold at public auction. The collector is
now engaged in making list for publication
Of the property in arrears.
Yesterday Messrs. Dickson & Patterson paid
Ss,e55 taxes Tor special improvements for Hon.
Mr.. James +. Dooley has been appointed a
notary public, and gave bonds.
THE CONTRACT QUESTION.
The following is the paper submitted to the
District Commissioners by Messrs. Jesse b.
Wilson, Wright Rives and Thomas Evans, of
the taxpayers association, in reference to con-
tracts, brief synopsis of which has heretofore
been published in TaE STAR:
The undersigned, by the authority of the tax
respectfully present for your consideration the
following resolutions, adOI ted at regular meet
ing Of said association:
Whereas it was clearly established by the tes-
timopy presented before the late committee of
inyestig alton, amongst other things, that large
number Of unlawful contracts were awarded
by the late Board Of Public Works, involving
large sums Of money; and that excessive prices
be made under such contracts; and whereas il
is reported that the Board OF Commits ioners
have recognized many of these unlawful con-
tracts, and have determined to continue the
prosecution OF the improvements embraced
therein and let at such excessive prices
RSsolrsd, That a special committee be ap
pointed, whose duty II shall be 20 take immedi-
ate steps, either by representing the true con-
Gition Of these matters 10 sand Commissioners
or by bringing the necessary suit or suits in the
courts OF the District, to arrest and prevent fur
ther action by said Commissioners in this direc.
ton.
Rssolred, That it is the sense OF this associa-
ton that until the Indebtedness OF this District
be ascertaiDed, as required by the recent act of
Congress, no further improvements should be
made unless in exceptional cases where the ne
cessities Of the public imperstively demand the
same; and that in these latter cases the work
shall not be begun until new contracts have
been made, after public advertisement to Sc
III.
Rssolred, That the chairman of the executive
Committee of seventy be instructed TO apo Mt a
special committee OF three, 70 whom shau be
referred the fore going resolutions.
We hope We may be permitted TO add that IL
is lot our purpose TO dictate OfficiOusiy TO gen
tlemen OF your well-known intelligence and
large experience in public affairs, but we sim.
ply claim greater knowledge in regard to these
special matters with which we have OF necessity
been intimately familiar for several years.
For this reason We trust that frank exposi-
100 N0~ e0w.fwss r.-~1 \
your honorable body; and we earnestly hope
that this appeal TO the OF justice OF impsr-
tial gentlemen will relieve rs from the necessity
OF appealing 20 judicial tribunal to settle dif-
ferences Of opinions honestly entertained.
We appreciate fully the delicate and RESPONSE
bic trusts assumed by you in accepting your
present official positions and willingly cOncede
your entire disinteredness Of purpose IN accept
ing your appointments.
But IN the discharge of our duties permit Us
to enter our earnest protest against the contin-
usnce OF any OF the contracts for improvements
made with the late Board OF Public Works. And
IN support Of this we submit the following rea-
sons, that to rs seem conclusive:
i. The estimated cost of the entire system OF
Improvements 10 be made By the Board of Pub
ne Works was s6,5so, 3T-Page D, Report of
Select Committee.
81 The said board have expended and con
racted to eNpend Sls,s'2,5tj'6-"-Psge :, Re-
beard enter INTO a contract for any work or im-
pTOvemsnt the cost OF which shall exceed the
amount estimated therefor in its aforesaid plan
less - per eentum Of said estimates"
3. 1.-THE said Board Of Public Works shall
have 10 power 70 make contracts TO bind the
District to the payment OF any sums OF money,
except IN pursuance of appropriations made
by law, ana lot until such appropriations shall
have been made."-Second section, rganic act
T. The law further provided that the aggre-
gate debt Of the District should not exceed I'VE
per centum OF the valuation OF the property
therein unless the proposition should first receive
the sanction OF the people by popular vote
Page {, Report ). g.
And in no event should the aggregate debt
exceed so, 10000.
These contracts that your honorable body is
asked 10 continue are described by the select
committee on page Of their report. "The
board adopted an erroneous and, in it, results
a vicious method Of letting contracts fer their
work, viz: without competition open TO the pub
lie; and that the method adopted by the beard
resulted in the payment or an increased price
over and above what would have been paid II
open, fair and free competition had been
invited"
Tie conclusion Is irresistible that HcontractsD
unlawful in their inception, vicious in their
character and ruiBOus IN their effect should not
be adopted and continued by commission
'factiHg under limited and restrained powers"
Rep, =.
your honorable body concluded 10 exercise the
powers conferred in the second section of the
act Of June 20, 1874, and expressed in the follow
Ing guarded language: "But said Commission,
in the exercise OF such power or authority, shall
make 10 contract or incur any obligations other
than such contracts and obligation as may be
necessary TO the faithful administrator OF the
valid laws enacted for the government OF said
District, TO the execution Of existing legal obi
cations and contracts, and TO the protection or
preservation OF improvements existing, or COM
menced, and not completed at the time OF the
passage Of this act" We trust that YOU will
avoid the vicious system inaugurated by the
late DEtrict government, and let the work 10
the lowest bidder after proper notice,
OPTICAL REPLY OF THE COMMISSIONERS
CDiee q TIE C0HBsiSsiORsrg Of tie Distinct OF
CotHmbtG,
WASHINGTON, August Is, 1ST4
GENTLKNKN: The Commissioners ind in i'm
practicable 70 fully reduce TO writing their de-
cisi0n on the subject OF the contract OF the
Board OF Public Works, and therefore will con.
nne themselves TO merely stating their conclu-
sious, which will answer all that Il material in
the paper you laid before them.
First. We hold that by the act Of June 70, 1874,
Congress has recognized the validity OF the
eOntrscts CT the Board Of Public Works, what
ever their defects. in their origin or the manner
OF their execution, subject 70 the exception
comHson 90 al codes OF Law, viz: That contracts
fraudulently maze are void, and that all con-
tractors who shall accept TO elect the provisions
OF the Law as 20 the MODE OF payment prescribed
therein secure 10 themselves its benefits.
Secondly That the defects, IL they existed, Of
excessive price, want OF antecedent approprfa-
ton or those involving the making of the debt
or the District TO exceed S10 000, 900, were all
knewn TO the investga Committee and 10
grf NJ va