National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-08
ANOTHER FORM OF GOVERNMENT
FOR THE DISTRICT.

The following is synopsis Of the Amendments
to the bill fer the better government of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, introduced In the Senate by
Mr.. Sargent:
Tho district of Columbia shall hereafter eonsti-
tute one municipality, and shall, so far as practl-
cable, be governed by uniform laws, spplicaolet0
From and after the third Monday in April, 1875,
the affairs Of the District shall be conducted under
the supervision and subject to the general legls-
cipal council TO be elected in part and part D.
pointed; the executive power and authority ) be
vested in the mayor, who shaIl nolG ms Oh % for
The mayor is clothed with full veto Pc Ger In
case Of death, removal or other asaor .Ity of tho
mayor, the presiding officer oil the ",uncil shall
The council shall consist Of t. selve members,
who shall be qualified voters In the District, six
to be appointed by the Preside 1t and six elected
nv the voters of the Distrir 4 at large Thew
shall hold Office for two yeas.
The Legislative powers OF Cthe council shall be-:
The establishment and Enforcement Of health
and sanitary regulation and the abatement of
nuisances; the estaolb .bment Of . FREQ pu6lto
ment; system Of greet, road, bridge Gad sewer
improvements ara repairs; militia organzatton;
building regulation 4, and the leVyi0E and coltec-
tion OF taxes AM Licenses IN conformity with the
provisions of ttis Esct.
The oficers necessarily carry into effect the
above duties shall be appointed by tho Mayor,
by aud with the advice OF the cOzRcil.
The irstelection shall be held on the second
Tuesday N April neSt, and shs9 be conducted,
provided by the Legislative Assembly for cleo
lions in the District, except that TIE proper
shall be appointed by tbs present District Com
missU1ers; the new government co go into
| effect the third Monday in April, 1s76, and on
| the tAird Monday in April each alternate year
| thereafter the present government of the Dis
| tr4ct continuing until that day.
The council shall be the judge Of the election
! returns and qualifications of tie hembers and
choose subordinate e1hcess and establish their
&C mpensatiUn.
| TAeld in public once in each month. Adjourned
! aud special meetings may be held when necessa-
~, but no special meeting shall ,oe called except
NJ on the proclamation Of the mayor; and no bust
| NJ IS shall be transacted at any special meeting
other than such as shall be specifically mentioned
Every ordinance shall be read at large on two
different days and those making appropriations
! shall be confined to that subject alone. A major
iIy vote of all the members shall be required to
All laws in force within the District enacted by
! Congress, except as modified or repealed by this
| act, shall remain in force until modified or
| peaI ed by Congress, aud other than enactments
| OF Congress shall remain in force until repealed
| or modified by the council or Congress.
| The council has no pOwe-to authorize any in
| crease Of the Indebtedness OF the District,
| has any officer Of the District power to borrow
money or issue bonds, except by express authority
| and direction Of Congress.
The council shall not have power to provide
for the creation Of corporations, or for making
subscriptions to the stock Of any corporation, or
for making any grant or loan Of money or
shall the District ever pay, assume or become
sponSibe for the debt or liabilities Of, or in any
manner give, loan, or extend its credit to- or in
aid Of any corporation, association, or Individual
The council shall not have power to modify the
practice of the judicial courts, or to confer iuris
ctiOn thereon, or to limit the right of suffrage
TO debar any citIZens OF the United States from
re exercise Of any right or privilege enjoyed by
The citizens of the DlstFct: nor to tax the prop
erty of the United States; to tax the lands or
other property Of nOn-residents higher than the
lands or other property OF residents; nor to i'm
rose per capita tax or tax upon persons; nor to
exempt any private or corporate property from
its fair propOrtiOnate share of taxation; nor to
grant TO any corporation, association interest, or
individual, any exclusive privilege, exemption,
immunity or franchise whatever.
The Council shall never grant or authorize any
extra compensation, allowance or gratuity to any
Cf5cer, agent contractor after service rendered
or contract made or awarded.
The council shall provide for the support Of the
poor and the relief OF persons properly the sub
lects OF public charity, but shall make no appro-
priation in aid OF any institution of a sectarian
exclusive character. A weekly published state
mCnt Of all the receipts and expenditures of the
District shall be provided for by council; and also
proceedings OF the District administration Ofpub-
lie interest concern. The rate of taxation all
not exceed one and one half per centum upon the
actual cash value Of all property in the city, and
one half of the cash value in the county. Annual
appropriations for general purposes OF the Dis
trict shall be made by Congress by such sum as
would be produced by the ratio OF one and one
half per cCntum upon the assessed valuation of
the property Of the United States within the Dis
trict.
Personal property exceeding the sum of $1,000
in value shall be liable TO taxation for all general
purposes, and banks and bankers shall pay the
same lcense and other taxes as may be imposed
on any other business or property.
A Delegate to the House of Representatives of
the United States, to serve for two years, may be
elected. entitled to the same rights and privileges
as are exercised and enjoyed by the Delegates
from the several Territories of the United States