Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-04-20

sworn Statement.
The Government OF the District.

The Government of the District.
In resuming to-day consideration OF the
question Of a government for this District,
which has so far proved to be prolific of sug-
gestive and incidental remarks, 1t is thought
well to quote from the report of the com
mittee OF the last Congress that framed the
bill which came to be known as the Morrill,
bill. That committee adopted these views:
The acquisition of this District, conceived
in supposed public necessity, suggested by
humiiieting experience of the Congress of
the COnfederacy, its wisdom affirmed by
kindred events In our recent history, should
ii is submitted, be maintained intact by the
body In which the Constitution vested the
exclusive power. The proportion OF expendI-
lures which should be borne by the United
States and the citizens aud resident property
holders, is proposition not deemed sus-
ceptible of exact determination; nor does il,
in the views taken by your committee,
become important These, not to repeat
necessarily impose on Congress the duty of
making provision FOR needful expenditures,
as well as for their sUperv ision, as for
other branches of the public service
And, again, 1.-THE comm ttee recommend.
as best calculated TO avoid a repetition of the
errors and shortcomings OF the past, and to
promote the interests of all who are, or may
De, In any way connected or associated with
gress exercise that exclusive legislation
over the District with which 10 is invested
by the Constitution, and provide for the
general superintendent OF its affairs and the
enforcement OF the laws through officers and
u1e'hS directly amenable to the supreme ex-
ecutive authority Of the Omitted States~
Mr.. Hendee, in the notifications of that
bill, has In nothing changed its conformity
10 the foregoing views. Chapter first of this
n LAST - FaI.,-
OF the government of the United States aud
defines its status. The second chapter creates
a board of control, a council, TO consist of
three members, TO be appointed for fixed
periods, by the President of the United States
and confirmed by the Senate. That Is there
are 10 be three officers OF the United States,
directly G7HeRGbIe 10 the supreme exee1,ire an
IhoTty. Just here may be proper place to
suggest that these officers should be selected
rom among citizens of the District: hav-
iDg no voice IN the selection we might
expect them TO have sympathies and
interests in harmony with our own
The president OF this board so appointed is
10 be the chief executive officer Of the depart
ment, and by virtue of being president of
the Council "shaIl have the title OF Gov
ernor OF the District of Columbia, yet il
VIII be Observed the bill is so well guarded
that he is nowhere mentioned, except In con-
nectiOn with warrants, independently OF the
Council. He is TO execute under the Council
as a controlling body. The Senate, In con-
sideTiEg the Morrill, bill, rejected the appro-
pirate title OF regents adopting that of com
missioners, doing thereby more credit TO its
prejusices than TO its sense OF fitness. Mr..
Hendee has doubtless adopted the title OF
council in consequence of that action, and
the plan OF a chief executive removes we |
tbinF, the objection that a council is not an |
administrative body Provisions are male |
for appointment by the Council for nxeI
periods, to be removed only for cause OF all |
officers of the proposed government. The
minut6ness of detail OF the original is swept
away, but the fundamental principles are
retained. Appointments, theoretically at
least, are not 10 be political. but made
Gin reference only To personal fitness,
The power OF adopting ordinances
for municipal purposes, is a very broad one,
but Is, we submit, a very necessary one
Experience has shown the need for such an
authority outside OF Congress. These ordi-
nances are 10 conform 10 the scope of exist
ing laws, or Of the powers conferred by the
bill itself, and the Supreme Court OF the
District is empowered on appeal made by a
party directly affected by an ordinance of
the Council todecide whether such ordinance
Is justided by law. What these powers of
The Council are in this respect will be- best
discovered by reference to the chapter relat-
ing TO eacl subdivision or bureau OF the de-
partment in which their powers are declared
TO be all such a. are conferred by law, or as
properly belong 10 the functions OF each par
ticular bureau. Thus, in the case OF the po-
lice and IRE boards, we perceive that the one
is endowed with all the powers belonging to
police department, and the other has full
powers In respect TO all matters pertaining
81. q.
fires. Now In this last clause would bs en-
bFaced such matters as storage OF iufiamma-
bic or explosive materials, or the erection OF
machinery deemed unsafe in respect of fires
from any cause. Again, the powers of the
superintendent OF buildings are such that
the Council can promulgaLe suitable ordi-
nsnces respecting building regulations, &c.
Prom the foregoing II will be seen that the
powers Of the Council are ample for munich
pal purposes and such as to remove
the necessity OF continuous appeals
TO Congress touching such matters. The
Third chapter relates to the organic alton
OF the department. Those bureaus, which
do not require a professional expert in their
management, have each board OF three
members at the head. The number OF each
and the manner Of executing authority are
points eI tirely in harmony with and con-
forming TO those prescribed Tor the Council.
Each ne moer OF board Is TO receive fixed
pay for each meeting atteGded. No attend
ance no pay Is 10 be the rule, and one founded
In just appreciation of how BAD attendance
generally Is. In summing up the pay roll,
as designated for the officers mentioned in
this bill, and comparing them with those
actually now TO be paid, we fizd that there
IL saving OF at least $4,000 per year to
arise in that way.
Some Of our backing houses yesterday
Initiated specie payment by giving out
some silver coin In the way OF change. Gu
rfously enough, the customers received IL