Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-11-24
The bill Prepared for Action OF the
Congressional Com mission.


Committee to frame a form of government
for the District OF Columbia, consisting of
General Hunton and Senator Whyte, met
this morning.
Senator Whyte read the bill prepared by
him. 1t designates that the District of Co
lumbia (all that portion ceded by Maryland
shall continue TO be called the District of Co
lumbia.
Senator Whyte (e, pdssdnD remarked that
he believed all the land ever coded by Vir-
ginia was retroceded by the act of 1910.
The second section provides that the mode
of the appointment of the District Commits
sioners shall hereinafter be provided for.
The commission shall consist OF three mem-
bers. two of whom shall have been residents
OF the District at least five years and shall
not claim residence elsewhere; that the Com
miss shall report annually through the
Secretary OF the Treasury To Congress the
amount necessary TO meet the accruing in
debtedness and defray the expenses of the
District for the next fiscal year. and TO In ,
extent said estimates shall be approved, Con-
gress shall appropriate 40 per centum thereof.
and the Commissioners shall assess upon the
property in said District. other than the prop
crty of the United States and the District of
Columbia. less ten per cent necessary for the
collection thereof, the remaining To per cent,
in such manner as the Commissioners may
deem best, and in such manner in the change
of form of advertisement of delinquent taxes
as may be fixed upon by the Commissioners.
Mr. Whyte asked Commissioner Phelps,
who was present, whether a tax of Sl.5g on
each $50 of real property and 80 cents on each
$50 valuation Of personal property would
realize the necessary sum 10 raise the sixty
Ier cent.
Mr.. Phelps said he thought not. on account
ofthe way the city was growing. He thought
IL per cent. on real and the same on personal
property would be sufficient.
Mr.. HuntOn.-It strikes me that 4 per cent.
on real and per cent. on personal property is
II the District Will stand.
Senator Whyte.-Do you know what we
Jay i'm Baltimore-Sl.90 cents?
General Hu9tOn.-Ol real and personal
10th?
Senator Whyte-YeS. sir.
Mr.. Phelps said he thought if, instead of a
PERSONAL tax. a license system was adopted,
That the District would realize more. He
thought SIS, 00oo0 would he al the District
commissioners would realize under The pres
ent law. although there was talk in Congress
of the ability Of the District Commissioners
IL realize S3I GOO.
The rate OF tax was decided upon al s15O on
each 500 valuation OF real property, at the
cash valuation thereof, and 81 on each 500
valuation of personal property, with the pro-
visO that the Commissioners shall raise any
or all of the amount contemplated by the
latter tax. if deemed necessary. by a revenue
derived from licenses for business purposes.
The third section provides for the oath of
the commissioners TO support the govern
nlent, and fixes the bonds of each at $4,000,
and their compensation at 5000.
Section provide that when the Commits
siOners bond and take the oath all powers
now vested in the present Commissioners
shall be vested in ana transferred to the new
commissioners; and the Commissioners are
empowered TO abolish any office, to CONSOLE
date two or more offices, reduce the number
of employees, remove from office. and make
appointments to- any offices under them au-
thoriZed by law. The Commissioners are
prohibited from anticipating the taxes in any
manner. All suits pending against the old
Commissioners are to lie against the new ap
pointees, and if judgment is awarded by the
courts against the old Commissioners after
they shall have been succeeded in office, the
new appOintees are 10 pay the amount neceS-
sary for the satisfaction thereof The Com
missioners may by general regulation pre-
scribe the time or times for the pa ymenI of
all taxes. and the coalition of prompt pay
mcnt and penalties for default. That here
after the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay
the interest accruing on the $50 DiStric
bonds. provided that the amount thus paid
shall bc credited To the 40 per cent. To be pad
by the United States. That all taxes
the United States, and that all ex-
penses of the District shall be paid by In =
Treasurer of the United States upon tn
voucher OF n majority OF the Commissioners
Section provides that in lieu Of the Board
of Health the Commissioners shall appoin
annually physician as health officer, whose
duty shall be regulated by the Commission
erS IN accordance with existing law; that the
health commissioner may recommend and
the Commissioners shall appoint four in
spectOTs. whose duties shall be prescribed by
the health commissioner; two may he phySi-
clans. and one shall be skilled in the matter
of ventilation and drainage.
Mr.. Phelps recommended that the sinking
fund commissioners be abolished and thai
its duties be vested in the Secretary of the
Treasury.
Mr.. HuntOn approved Of the suggestion. as
il would reduce expense. He said he had
made up his mind fully on that subject
Senator Whyte, after reading the law au-
thoriZing its creation proposed that memo
randum be made of the subject for further
consideration.
The salary of the health officer is fixed at
$3.50.
The bill also provides that no more notaries
public shall he appointed until the number is
reduced to forty, and from such period no
more than forty shall be in commission; that
they shall be appointed by the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia for five
years, but may be removed for cause; that no
more justices OF the peace shall be appointed
until the number is reduced to ten. II also
provides that all that part of the District
known as Georgetown shall cease to be de-
nominated by that designation, and the Com
missioners are authorized to extend the nu-
merical number of the streets, and to number
the dwellings as in the city of Washington.
The sub committee were considering further
provisions OF the bill when our report closed.
Political Facts and Fancies.
The independent republican central com