The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-02
WA SHINCTON.
DurelPs Resignation in Readi-
ness for Emergency.
SALE OF TREASURY GOLD ORDERED.
The Financial ENHANCEMENT of the
District of Columbia.

WASHINGTON, March l., 1874.
The Affairs OF the District Of C0iumbia-
Governor Shepherds Testimony
Claims Upon Congress for u share OF
the Expenses OF Washington Cfty-An
Attempted Loan Defeat sd-The Lack of
Funds.
Governor shepherd has replied to the lnterroga-
tories propounded by the committee TO investigate
che affairs of the District Of Columbia The papers
include the original contracts made by the Board
of Public Works, numbering 1892 together with
the original measurements and vouchers number
lo,5S7. In answer to a question as to the
Indebtedness Of the old corporations OF
washington and Georgetown and the
Levy Court when the new government
went into erect 1t is stated at $5,520,62S. The
bonded debt OF the District Of Columbia on Janu-
airy l, 1874, was $5,527, $780, The present assessed
value OF property is now 500, 443,oT2, as against
$79,997, 454 in 1871. The exhibit OF the Auditor
shows the actual cost Of the work done under con-
tract with the Board Of Public Works was less than
1--we per cent in excess Of the estimated cost. In
reply 20 the question, What amount, If any, does
the District government estimate ought to be
paid by the United States for the improve
ments Of pubic property made by the
District government. The answer is that the
Board of Pubic Works. in their report to the
President, dated 1st November last, estimated
such Indebtedness and gave the aggregate at
s40OO,370. This, however, Is small portion OF the
sum equitably due by the government on account
OF expenditures made by citizens in their corpor-
ate capacity Tor the Improvement OF the streets
and avenues OF the city and the roads and
thoroughlares OF other parts OF the district. The
streets and avenues held in fee simple by the
general government, according to a decision of
the supreme Court Acting under such construc-
ton the United States have. in che case gained
397,2SO square feet, by enclosing streets In
the vicinity OF the Capitol, which are worth, &C.
cording to the appraisement of adjoining prop
erty, $576,056. The general government has also
retained the ground reclaimed by filing up the
canal, worth, at the valuation of the adjoining
property s2,50O000. 1t appears, from the state
ment OF the Register, that from 1902 to 1871, when
the new government went into operation, that
$9,l9o l32 had been expended by the citizens under
the old corporations Tor public improvements.
The expenditures OF the Board OF Works since the
creation OF the District government have been on
streets and avenues $15 1885, Total expen-
ditures by citizens since 1902, $24, 1872 III.
The amount expended by the United States
in the same period ON streets and avenues,
$4,476, 1885, showing an excess Of expenditures by
citizens over the government on the Improvement
OF streets and avenues and roads, nine -tenths of
which are used absolutely by the government of
$50 2S5, All. IL is shown that the real estate held
by the United States In the District OF Columbia
fully equals, IL 1t does not exceed in value, that
owned by citizens. 1t is suggested that were
plan adopted by which the government would
reimburse to the District the amount Of
the outstanding Indebtedness of the United
States on account Of improvements, and
annually thereafter contribute just proportion
toward the current expenses as well as the extin-
guishment OF local DEBT such arrangement would
be IN accordance with strict equity aud compare
favOrably with the Hberaity exhibited by other
governments towards their capital cities Under
acts OF Congress and Legislative Assembly, So,
worth Of property belonging to churches, &C., is
exempted from taxation. The report of the Super.
intendent OF Public Schools shows that OF those
who attend the public schools Of the District only
twenty-seven per cent are the children of tax
payers. While almost every State and Territory
has been favored by Congress with liberal
donations in public lands Tor educational pur.
poses, the District, with large transient popula.
ton, has received no national aid whatever. The
appropriation for the Fire Department by the Dis
trict government last year was $685. 416. Congress
has rendered no aid to this service. nOtwihstand.
ing the large number and great value OF the gov
eminent buildings in the District. In view OF this
fact it can hardly be doubted that Congress should
make some provision towards the maintenance OF
the 1928 street lamps. Only 1O3 paid for by the
general government the District paying $13994l
annually and the general government only S. $50.
The only aid granted by Congress in defraying
the current expenses OF the District is an annual
appropriation toward the support Of the police,
and 1t Is hoped they will adopt similar course
towards the schools, Fire Department and the
lighting OF the streets 1t is suggested by the
Governor that authority be given Tor funding the
outstanding bonds into one consolidated loan,
bearing fair rate OF interest, and that commit
tee personally visit and Inspect the various District
Offices and the improvements in order that they
may see for themselves the operations of
the one and the extent and value OF
the other. The Governor states that he
had erected negotiation for loan
based upon tax lien certificates sufficient to pay
the salaries or the school teachers and members OF
the Police and Fire departments but, owing to
the grave and unfounded imputations OF the me-
moraiists affecting the District government, the
realization of the loan was deferred. Capital,
always conservative, shuns an investment against
which there is continued cutlery, no matter how
sound the securities may be, and the misrepre-
sensations OF q few designing persons have, the
Governor says, cost the people Of this municipality
hundreds OF thousands OF dollars and much
suffering. Referring to the sewer certlf-
Gates, the Governor endorses the opinion OF
Messrs. Cushing and Black to show their legality,
and as being In the nature OF assessment certif-
Gates ana therefore forming no part OF the in
debtedness of the District government. Reference
is made to the statement in the Assessors report
that the humber taxpayers have met their ASSESS
ments uncomplainingly, and paid ten-twelfths OF
the entire amount. The report Of the Treasurer
OF the Board OF Public Works shows they have
received to the 2sth of February, SIS, ESQ., 32,
and expended $14,6O3,o52. The assets OF the
Board are stated at $3,760,297, and the
total liabilities at s4,552,95S This is exclusive
OF the amount due by the United States govern
ment Tor the improvement OF their property. The
total amount OF certificates of settlement issued
is sl7546,654; for filing purposes in the
prosecution Of special improvements done under
contract, 1912 ,o94; for special improvements
outside OF contracts, including material fur
nisbed not included in measurements,
$2,e55,4oo; on account Of miscellaneous eX.
penditures other than special improvements