National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-11-30
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT.

The Bill Before the Commission
Manner of Appointing the Commits
sioners-Tas alton of Laud Used for
Agricultural Purposes Duties of
the Sinking Fund Commission
Transferred to the Secretary of the
Treasury.
There wasspo quorum at the meeting of the
Congressional commission to frame perma-
nent form Of government yesterday. 1t meets
again Friday at eleven o'clock, when it is ex-
ected every member will be present. The
subcommittee have agreed upon bill which
has not yet been considered by the full COM
| mission. The subcommittee have agreed upon
| several provisions, the substance of which
WIS published last Saturday. The additional
| clauses are in substance as follows: That one
| of the Commissioners shall be appointed by
the President, by and with the advice and con-
| sent of the Senate, for the term of four years,
and until his successor shall be appointed and
qualified; the second of the said Commission
| ers shall be elected by the House of Repre-
sentatives by ballot, for the term of two years,
| and until his successor shall be elected and
qualified; and the third of said Commission
| eFs shall be elected by the Senate by ballot,
for the term of six years, and until his sue
csssor shall be elected and qualified;
aud at the end of the several terms of each
of the Commissioners, their successors shall
be elected or appointed, in the same manner,
for the term of four years, respectively, and
until their successors are elected or appointed
and qualified. The two persons elected as
Commissioners by the House of Represents
tives and the Senate shall, at the time of their
election, have been citizens of the United
States and residents of the District of Colum-
bia for five years previous to their election;
and the person appointed by the President,
with the advice and consent of the Senate,
shall have been for five years previous to his
appointment a citizen of the United States;
and if any Commissioner shall die, resign, re-
fuse, or neglect for twenty days TO take the
oath of office, or remove from the District, if
he be elected by the Senate or House of Rep
resentatives, his place shall be filed, for the
balance of his term, in the same manner as
the person whose place is to be filed was
elected or appointed; bat If the person whose
place so becomes vacant shall have been
elected by the Senate or House of Representa-
tiTes, and such vacancy shall occur during the
recess of Congress, then the said vacancy
shall be filed by the appointment of the Presi-
dent, until the Senate or House of Representa-
tiTes, as the case may b., shall elect person
to fiji tie said office for the balance of the
term thereof. One of the said Commissioners
shall bc chosen president of the Board of Com
sioners at the first meeting thereof, and an
nually thereafter. .a
Tie provision for the rates o. taXati0H has
been altered so that j; reads as follows Pro-
aidcd, That the rate of taxation in any one
year shall not exceed $3.50 on every 500 of
real estate, according to the cash valuation
thereof; but upon lands used for agricultural
purposes the rate for any one year shall not
exceed 81 on every 500, aud 81 on every 500
of the value of personal property: AId pro-
UiGed Further, That the said Commissioners
may raise an amount equivalent to such tax
on personal property, or any part thereof, by
licenses for business. purposes, not contrary to
law.
There is also provision that the accounts
Of said Commiesione--S, and the tax COLLECTORS,
and all other 6taiearTss required to account,
shall be settled and adjusted by the account
ing officers OF the Treasury Department of the
United States. .... -. ...
These also are new sections:
Sec. 9. That the Offices of the sinking fund
commissioners are hereby abolished; and all
the duties and powers possessed by said com
missioners are transferred to, and shall be ex-
ercised by, the Treasurer of the United States,
who shall perform the same in accordance
with the provisions Of existing laws. r.
Sec. 16. That it shall be the duty of the said
Commissioners to report to Congress at the
next session succeeding their appointment
draft Of such additional laws or amendments
to existing laws as seem to be needed for the
harmonious working of the system hereby
adopted, and for the efIoctual and proper gov
eminent of the District of Columbia.