The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-08
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led oo@ @ PARIS 5aGs

IL might De demanded that vessels Quilt fO1
this service should come up to standard
fixed by legislation, in tonnage, speed and all
other qualities, looking to the possibility o.
the Government requiring them a. some time
for war purposes. The right also of taking
possession OF them in such emergency should
be guarded l offer these suggestions, be-
lieving them to be worthy Of consideration, in
all seriousness, affecting ali sections and all
interests alike. If anything better can be
done to jirect the country into a course Of
general prosperity, no one will be more ready
than to second the plan.
Forwarded herewith will be found the
report of the commissioners appointed under
an act OF Congress approved June 30 1874, to
wind up the affairs of the District Govern
ment. It will be seen from the report that
the net debt of the District of Columbia, less
securities on hand and available, is: Bonded
debt issued prior to July 1, 1874, is IS, $685.
$40 43; 3. G5 bonds. act Of Congress June 20,
1871, is S2,OSS, 1GS 10: certificates of the
Board of Audit, S4,77O, 55S A. Total S15,-
742, CO. 81.
Less special improvement assessments
charseable to private property in excess of
any demand gainst such assessments, 1,6l4, :
054 81. Less Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
bonds. $4,000, and Washington and Alexan-
dria r ilroad bonds, $4,000. In the hands
81, 7Is,054 81 Leaving actual debt less said
assets, Sl3,394, 6l3 "A. In addition to this,
there are claims preferred against the
Government OF the District amounting in the
estimated aggregate reported by the Board of
Audit to So, 147,7S7 As, of which the greater
part will probably be rejected.
This sum can with no more propriety be
included in the debt account OF the District
Government. than can the thousand OF claims
against the General Go vernment be included as
portion OF the National debt But the ag-
gregate sum thus stated includes something
more than the funded debt chargeable exclu-
sively to the District Of Columbia.
The act of Congress of June 20, 1874, con-
templates an apportionmcnt between the
United States Government and the District
OF Columbia IN respect OF the payment of
the principal and interest OF the $50 bonds
Therefore, in computing with precision the
bonded debt of the District, the aggregate
sums above stated, as respects the 3.6j bonds
low issued, the outstanding certificates of the
Board of Audit and the unadjusted claims
pending before that board, should be reduced
to the extent OF the amount to be apportioned
to the United States Government in the man
ner indicated in the act OF Congress Of June
20, 1874.
especially invite your attention to the re- !
OF the commissioner # the |
sinking fund relative to the ambiguity # the |
act OF June 20, 1874, the interest OIL tie dis |
trlct bonds and the consolidation Of the in !
debtedness OF the district. | feel much n
debted to the gentlemen who nsen:ed to
leave their private affairs and come from !
distance to attend to the business OF this dis !
lrict and for the able and satisfactory manner /
IL which it has been conducted.
am sure their services will be equally APP
l1rar ta6 nv fha IoI
seen from the accompanying full report of the
board OF health that the sanitary condition of
the District is very satisfactory. In my opin-
ion, the District Of Columbia should be re-
3arded as the grounds OF the national capitol,
N which the entire people are interested.
do not alluds to this to urge generous ap-
to the District, but to dsaw the
attention OF Congress in framing Q law for the
government of tie District to the magnificent
scale on which the city was planned by the
ounders OF the government, the manner in
which, for ornamental purposes, the reserya-
ions, streets and avenues were laid out, and
he proportion of the property actually pos
essed by the General Government.
think the proportion Of th2 c-ponses IF
he Government and improvements to he
'Orne by the General Government, tha cites
II Washington and Ge rgetown. and tho
ounty should be carefully Ind eguit..DIy
efined
In accordance with section :. ac. approved
une %, 1874, appointed a boa d to make {.
urvey OF the mouth OF the Mississippi river,
18th a view to determine tho best method Of
blaming and maintaining :. ..eDth 0. wat5r
efficient for the purposes CT commerce, ETC.,
nd in accordance with an act entitled an act
, provide for the appointment of a commits
ion OF engineers to investigate and report |
plan for the reclamation OF the s
lluvial basin of the Mississippi river subject .
, inundation.
l appointed Commissioner of Engineers. ! $
either board has yet completed its labors
hen their reports are received they will be
awarded to Congress without delay.
Executive Mansion, December It'll, 1874. $
L. S. GRANT.