Evening star., 1877-12-22

system OF q police board as now existing. and
to transfer the powers and duties thereof TO
justified in expressing the opinion that such
change would result-1st, in impairing. IL not
destroying the efficiency and morale of the
pebse to the tanpasers Of the 'fs pstncf Il
would. then, become purely District force,
and it would he mere question of time when
Respectfully submitted, from committee on
police department.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Your committee, having given due attention
TO the subject intrusted to their consideration,
beg leave to submit the following suggestions:
That the necessity FOR a sanitary organization
here, i'm Washington, with a population of
$4,000 inhabitants, is too apparent for argu-
ment-the experience of the civilized world
having demonstrated the importance of such
organizations in all large cities; and espe-
eiaily in Washington is this the case, from the
facts
First. That being the Seat of Government
there is constant Influx of transient popula-
tion from all sections of the country, en-
hancing materially the chances of introducing
epidemics into our midst
Second. That the location of our city being
i'm region subject to malarial fevers an in
!elligent sanitary system is required to cir
cumscrlbe and modify such causes as give rise
To these particular feyerS.
Third. That being the residence of nearly
al of the chief functiOnaries of the Govern
Notwithstanding the President of the United
States. both branches of the national legisla-
ture besides large percentage of the popu-
latlon being composed of Government EN-
ployes, brought here by the needs of the
GOvernment-the sanitary condition of our
city becomes an important factor in maintain
ing the usefulness and efficiency of these Off
cials. which necessarily depends in a great
measure, upon a well-organiZed and efficient
Board Of Health.
Fourth That Congress has already recog-
niZed the obligation of the Government to
support such an institution, by Justly and
1nOlpprlatlnF
necessary To conduct such an organization
and when we consider the enormous increase
of expenses entailed upon us, in the way of
supplying medicines and medical attendance,
by the advent of INDECENT freedmen and
others, invited here by national legislation, We
do not hesitate to express the belief that Con
greSS VIII meet us in spirit OF equitable lib
| erality, and assume its just proportion Of these
extraordinary expenses.
GSignedI--Alex: Y. p. Garnett, NJ. D.; S. c.
Busey. Nj. ID. c. b. Purvs. NJ D.; John Mar
bury, Jr.. Members of Committee Present.
LEGISLATION.
Sir: The Committee on Legislation. to whom
was referred the subject Of procuring such
legislation from Congress as will secure per
manent provision, on the part of the General
Government. for the payment of fifty per cent
of the expenses of the District, respectfully
suggest the accompanying form of enactment
as sufficient for that object. 1t avoids the
questions on which there is division of Opin
iOn-such as the question of the tax on person
atty, and the difference in rates of taxation for
town and county.
They consider the sixth section of the bill
reported by the joint Select Committee of Con-
gresS to frame Government for the District
of Columbia, also sufficient for the object i'm
question: except as TO the proportion devOlyed
upon the United States, which is forty instead
of fifty per cent. of the burdens of the District
This section, however. involves other matters
foreign to this question, as to some of which
different opinions are entertained.
Very respectfully yours,
WALTER S. Cox, Chairman.
BE 1t enacted &C. That the proper execu-
tive authorities Of the District of Columbia
shall. in accordance with existing laws, esti-
mate annually and report through the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, at the beginning of each
session, to Congress. the amount necessary
10 defray the expenses and pay the accruing
Indebtedness of the government of the Dis
trict of Columbia for the next fiscal year:
and to the extent to which the said esti-
mates shall be approved, Congress shall appro-
pirate the amount of fifty per centum thereof,
and the remaining fifty per centum thereof
shall be levied upon the property in said Dis.
trict, other than the property of the United
States and of the District of Columbia, and
shall be collected in the manner provided by
law for the collection of taxes in said District.