National Republican., 1876-11-18
Our Di..rss, aevsrnnsnt- Definite Action by

the Joint Commission.
The joint commission to frame government
for the District met again yesterday at 10 q.
m. Mr.. Joseph Libbey, representing the
water. takers of Georgetown, appeared TO urge
that the Potomac water should be furnished
without charge, on account Of the portion OF
ORIGINAL expense borne by them. This, he
claimed, was IN accordance with the original
understanding between Gen. Meigs, on behalf
of the Goyernreent and the citizens OF George
town.
The question as to how the Commissioners
for the District should be appointed was in
formally discussed, ssd finally laid over 30 q
future meeting. niece
Mr.. Hunton and Senator wkyte advocssed a
residence of ten gears In the District as
qualification for Commissioner, and Nessrs.
| Spencer and Heneee opposed the proposition.
Senator Whyte then moved to make five
| years the time, and 1t was agreed to, Mr..
salarycf the Commissioners was fixed at 81, 600
each per annum.
A suggestion by Mr.. Hunton that the United
States assume the responsibility for the debt
fthe District, and that 1t contribute forty per
cent. of the current expenses. was favorably
received. Mr.. Hunton said his plan was that
| estimates for annual expenses be submitted
throHgh'tbe Secretary of the Treasury, which,
when approved by Congress, and the forty per
cent. appropriated, carried tax for the sixty
per ceut. upon the District, which the Gem.
missioners would be required to collect from
the property In the District in the manner most
satisfactory to the people.
MIR. T. Merrick favored new Cabinet
officer, to be known as the secretary for the
District of Columbia, who shall be its chiel
executive officer.
... sESKToR wHYTE,s BILL.
Senator Whyte submitted draft ofa bill
prepared by him. 1t provides for three COM
missiepers at 5000 each, to be nd at $50,
GOO each. The only change otherwise for the
present recommended by It is the abolition OF
the Board of Health and the appointment OF
health commissioner by the Commissioners
of the District at $500 per annum. Mean
while the Commissioners are requested to re-
port ut the first of the session OF the Forty
fifth Congress what other changes may be
necessary. r..
he said that If bill was drafted going into
the reorganization Of all the boards, It would
be cumbersome and antagonize so Eaany in
tercsts that il would probably be defeated.
''How can we," said he, tas q Congressional
committee, arrange all the details of reorgan-
ization, when 1t often takes State conventions
six months to accomplish less than what such
a task would be!'
Mr.. Hunton said he was decidedly In favor
of abOiishing the Board of Health. He
thought one man was enough to look after the
health interests of the District.
Senator Whyte said for the present he would
Dot go into any further details. II the COM
mittte should attempt to reorgauize all the
boards they would come in contact with an
army of officials. His plan would be to first
get the commission and then enlarge its
powers He wanted the people first to be
given to understand that the permanent form
Of government for the DistIi;t was to be by
commission, and that there was TO be no
Mayor, Board of Aldermen or Council. The
commission after it was organized could soon
make recommendations to Congress to remedy
all the other evils existing, and in time
thorough reorganization would be effected.
What we wanted for the present was simple
bill which could pass both branches of Con-
gress. If the committee made a bill ASA, ~
bersome as the old Morrill, bill nobodyS5ss y
read It.
The secretary was directed to prepare bill
on the basis Of government by three Com
missioners, (mode of appointment to be sub
sequently agreed upon,) and payment Of 40
per cent. of the expenses by the General Gov
eminent, and the commission adjourned for
one week