National Republican., 1874-06-02
THE DISTRICT.

ANOTHER SCHEME FOR ITS GOVERN
MENT-THE RESULT OF SEVENTY
FOUR YEARS OF LEGISLATION-IS
REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT A FAIL
URE2 -
"a bill concerning the District Of Columbia,
and to provide for the future government there
Of" was introduced in the House OF Representa-
tives yesterday by Mr.. Lawrence, Of Ohio. In
introducing It he said he did so at the request Of
citizen Of the District who had been member
Of the Legislature. The bill was referred to the
Joint select committee on the District 1t is quite
voluminous, covering thirty.three closely written
foQlssap pages.
It abOIishes the Offices OF Governor and Secre-
tary and the Board Of Public Works, and provides
for the dissolution Of the Legislature at the close
Of . municipal assembly Of forty.eig members,
to be elected on the second Tuesday in December
1 for nEsS0S on ss s MonS1y IN
municipal assembly Is 10 be the chief executive
officer Of the District.
defining and limiting the powers of the Assem-
bly,. Among the provisions are the following: 1t
is made the duty Of the presiding officer to see the
veto power and the power Of appointment, and is
prohibited from being the depostary Of any Of the
funds Of the District.
repealed, shall remain in force till modified or re-
pealed, and all acts Of the municipal Assembly
shall at all times be subject to modification or re-
The power Is denied the municipal Assembly to
authorize any increase Of the debt Of the District
for any purpose whatever, or TO borrow money or
issue bonds or other evidence Of indebtedness, ex-
cept by the express authority and direction Of
Congress first being given in each and every in
The municipal assembly shall have no power
to create corporations or make grant OF money
or credit in favor Of any corporation or become
liable for the debt Of any corporation, association
Neither is power given the municipal assembly
to modify the practice Of the courts or to confer
or nOtarieG public; nor limit The right Of sur agei
nor to tax the property Of the United States; nor
to tax the lands or other property of non-resi-
private or corporate property from its proportion
ate share OF taxation; nor to grant any special
privilege, exemption, immunity or franchise.
The allowance Of extra compensation or gratu-
ity to any occr, agent or contractor is forbidden.
1t shall make provision for the support Of the
any Institution Of o sectarisn denomination or
private character.
1t may, on the approval of Congress, establish
Tho municipal assembly shall from time to
time define the style and duties and fix the num-
her and compensation Of District officers, but the
number Of such officers shall be forthwith reduced
70 the smallest number compatible with the pub
The municipal Assembly may provide for the
ssry officers charged with the performance
Of general duties and for the election by sub.
districts; and all officers not made elective BY
the people, and not otherwise provided for b.
Congress, shall bs annually chosen By the mu9L
etpel Assembly, but the sppo.atpent 9t clerks
and saOOrdinstes IN nay be vested u the ehiei
such duties arc TO Be peffe7med, subject to such
| approval ns the mhniciic1 Assembly may direct.
Ordinances Of the Board Of Health are made
| SUBJECT to the adoption Of the municipal Assem-
bly,, but no power shall be exercised by said board
not explicitly granted by the municipal Assembly
All taxes upon real property in the District are
upon the front foot or superficial area shall be
| levied for any purpose Whatever.
All real property in the District. except Gov
| ernment and District property, Is made subject to
| taxation and all existing exemptions abrogated,
and no right or claim Of any party for coppensa-
tion relief in consequence hereof shall be had,
| recognised or entertained.
| A special tax on sums above 1000 Is provided,
/ and banks and bankers are required to pay for O
license; and an income tax on sums Of over e 600
except salaries OF officers Of the United States,
upon legacles and SUGGESTIONS. upon gross receipts
| Of corporations, upon animals considered danger.
| Gus or nuissnces, and upon any business consid.
cred Injurious to the community but not prohibited
| by Law, may be imposed. --.-,-t
| section Of the bill provides that all existing
| contracts for public improvement In the District
i made or awarded without due warrant Of law, are
hereby cancelled, and no claims against the Dis
| trict or the United States shall be deemed to be
| no such claim shall be received or considered By
any authority within the District or Of the United
| States.
| Considerable space is devoted to regulations re
| latlng TO the mode and manner in which work In
the matter Of improvements, &c, shall be done.