Evening star., 1877-11-21

vestfgattng Committee, upon the suggestion
OF Judf Thurman, To create q board of aud it
10 inquire into the debt evidenced by sewer
and suditors certificates, and also evidenced
by certificates OF Indebtedness, and other
fO1Ias Of debt. Then the seventh section
of the same act authorized the sinking fund
eommiss toner's TO issue a 30 year 3.65 bond to
pay such Indebtedness as found. The gross
sum CT the debt was to be ascertained Tnsu
the board of audit run along and issued
sbout thirteen million OF these bonds, when
congress by Joint resolution stopped the fur
ther issue. Then an Investigation was made
oy me District OF Columbia Committee of
me Iasl house 10 ascertain whether the board
bad violated the law, and il was decided by
tbe attorney general that the law was SO
bread That the board could audit all these
clSi ms. IL was intended by Judge Thurman
TO be cure for all the evils of This District.
Mr.. Blackburn.-We have thus far been
considering the city OF Washington. / want
10 know whether any steps have been taken
to look into the interests of those living out
s.de OF the city in the District.
Judge Dent-The committee we represent
il one for The welfare of the District entire
All we ask IL that Congress assume an
equitable division of the expenses Of the Dis
iIict, ard the matter of an equitable distri-
button or The tax levy can be liked by Con-
gTeSs in another bill. We wanted 10 come
before Congress o. & basis we could all agree
upon, and hence ask Congress to assume QUE
hali OF tne expenses and the District the re-
naming half.
Mr.. Klingle. on behalf OF the county, said
he would like TO be heard, but would prefer
10 put his statement in writing. He said he
was satisfied with the case as presented by
the Was hiDgtOn committee in its general
aspect, but that The people OF the county had
some separate interests that should be con-
sicered. The people OF the county would
like, for instance, to have their accounts
kept separate.
Mr.. Hunton.-CoDgress, in general legisla-
ton, cannot go into details. We must leave
that TO the local authorities.
Judge Dent thought that If the main prin-
ciple for which they were cOntending was
established favorably TO the District, the re-
lstions between the city and the rest of the
District could be amicablv settled.
Mr.. klingle.-We want,the county accounts
KEPT separate, and to pay simply sufficient
tsX To pay ouE annual Expenditures and
prcPortionate share OF the public debt.
MI Bouck said there was q great deal OF
taxation levied in cities for which the coun-
ties should not be held accountable.
Mr.. Blackburn said IL the District commit
tee was gong into the question to regulate
how much the United States and the District
should pay. be thought the committee should
also also settle The amount the divisions of the
tOwn and the county. He thought II was
cOrrelative question which ought also to be
considered.
Mr.. pavis The pro rata is fixed by law.
, Mr.. Blackburn.-Regulated by the District
Commissioners?
Mr.. Davis.-No sir. By act of Congress.
Until the tax law is repealed il Is regulated
bythai law.
Mr. Blackburr.-But the revenues of the
county are Jumped into the general fund.
ftilN lo uni ls htpl Oh what Ii
does pay or what is paid on its behalf for
improvements.
Mr. Hendee.-Wes any money which goes
to make mp the thirteen million debt ex-
pended in the county?
Mr.. Rlfngle.-AbOut 81 .46O, GOO.
Mr.. Bendee.-Then If the Improvements
were made In good faith, the county ought TO
paw its propOrtiOnate share?
Mr.. Klingle-We have paid il.
Mr.. Dent presented TO the District com
mittee the report of Judge Poland, from the
House judiciary Committee, as corrobo-
rating fully all the Citizens Committee had
advanced as TO the Jurisdiction of Congress
over the District and its responsibilities
The interview here took q conversational
shape between members of the Citizens
Committee and the House Committee and
after some time spent in this way the former
Withdrew. with many expressions OF eratifi-
cation at the courteous and intelligent hear
Ing given them by the District Committee.