New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-04
DISTRICT AFFAIRS.


TIGArING COMMITTEE TO wHTTEwAsH THE DIS
TRCr RING-ADDITIoNAL PLANS FOR THE FU
TURE GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO rRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, June 3-The interest in the pro-
ceedings of the District Investigating Committee
continues undated. The Committee, it is under
stood, is unanimous in its condemnation of the
whole management of District affairs for the past
three years. and if left itself will not hesitate to
throw the blame where il belongs, no matter whom
il hurts belief that the report of the Committee
would be such would make it impossible for any of
the prominent District officials TO hold hereafter any
position of trust, and would by its severe censures
of the men whom President Grant has sustained. in
spite of the advice of friends and the protests of the
people at large reflect upon the President himself,
has caused certain prominent men in Washington to
attempt privately during the past day two, to in
duce the Committee to omit some of its more
criticisms and. for the good of the party to allow
Gov Shepherd at least, to escape without personal
censure. These gentlemen have been working with
the greatest caution and secrecy, but their names
are known, aud the publication of them would be
far from pleasant For the credit of the Committee
il must be said that it is not believed that these
extraordinary efforts have been in the least
full. From a remark made to-day to friend by
Senator Allison is inferred that he proposes to do
his duty in this matter without fear or favor, and
other members of TIE Committee must understand
that 40 intense is popular feeling that the suggestion
of a whitewash" in their report will their
political death.
The Committee is still considering plans for the
government of the District in the future. One plan
now under discussion is to have the President ap-
point and the Senate confirm commission OF three
men 10 take possession Of the Government Of the
District its Offices books, and papers, and conduct
affairs until the meeting of Congress next Winter
The chief objection to this plan is that the President
would probably appoint Gov. Shepherd Chairman
or this Commissions and the Senate would confirm
him. especially if he should be severely censured by
the report of the Committee, and 80 need vindlca-
ton By this plan it is also proposed to vest the
Commission with power TO prepare a suitable form
of government for the District. with drafts of
statutes and an estimate of the proportion of
the expenses of such government to be borne by the
United States and by the District
The following are the fundamental conditions
proposed by this plan on which the new Govern
nent should rest: First, on laws enacted by Con-
gress pursuant to the provisions Of the Consti-
tutien secondly, il shall give to the peo-
pie such participation, authority, and re-
sponsibility concerning the Government and
taxes as is consistent with the exercise OF
this constitutional authority of Congress thirdly
that the proportion that shall be paid by the people
and the General Government shall be stated In de-
tail aud with much certainty as the case Will adj
nit of fourthly, that provision shall be made by
taxation for the interest on the funded DEBT ana
that the funds so raised shall not be used for any
other purpose filthy, that the annual expenditures
shall never exceed the amount appropriated by Con-
gress and raised by taxation. The same plan also
provides for an audit by the Commission OF all the
indebtedness of the District of every kind and re-
port TO Congress at its next session.
There are two or three things that those who have
brought about the investigation, and who now
desire to see the Ring utterly destroyed. demand.
These are that the present officers shall be turned
out and that it shall not be left in the power OF the
President to reinstate them, OF any of them; that
the books, papers. documents, &c, OF the District
Government and of all its branches shall be put into
the hands of responsible men, who viii Dot cover
mp any further frauds that the most careful examl
nation Of them may disclose.