National Republican., 1877-02-24
JUSTICE TO o-oR CREDITORS.
| An Appeal to uIe District Commissioners
| by u su0erey>-Rcason why Outstanding
| CLAIMS Sho,ilJ be Secured.

An Appeal to uIe District Commissioners
by SuHerey-Reason why Outstanding
CLAIMS Shoald be Secured.
- WAsarxaroS d. O., February 22d, 1877.
To ne Honorable The CommissfoRers OF the Dis.
fFtCt of CoiHmbfd:
GESrH.rNIS-I have the honor to remind you
that some weeks since, delivered to you me-
mortal, in my own behalf and in behalf OF many
you kindly transmitted to Congress, with
stropg letter ci approval and recommending l,n, ~
bonds" go called, provided for in our own con-
tracts, or some other cquiraient security.
ba.ed my prayer tor relief on nth tho provisions OF
the contract had made with your Honorable
Board. You will remember that your Honorable
not be too highly commended, compelled me land
the other controctors) as a condition precedent TO
Of Public WorSs X % to agree to receive three sixty.
1--WE bonds worth about seventy cents on the dol
lar in lieu Of the lawful money provided AS or mn IN
ate piii inspired by your Honorable Board, In tho
SnHs saH ifa eyen YOUR Honoraba Boari se
now, as am advised, proposes substitute bill.
msS @ e sUss nc, S
posed, IN lieu Of certificates or claims drawing by
law six per crntum per annum interest, new Sc
forest. What would your Individual creditors
think, lT you should call them together aud pro.
SIX per centum interest, and we will deliver you
new ones drawing only four 2" 1 presume the
fact that Congress has the power to Cypress US e
tho moral quality OF the act.
Now, am very sure I am addressing gentle
men, honest and hsnorablc In all the relations OF
private business, and who, IL they made q con.
tract as Individuals, would deem the nselvcs dis
hOnored, unless they DID everything in their
bic trust-one TO the Government that appointed
you.
will coming myself however. to the evident
Ftrst-This bill undertakes to lcgnlize all the
assessments made by the late Board OF Public
Works, and to estop citizens, who, feeling them
lief irom further prosecuting their suiIs-truiy
an ungenerOus way OF making defence to suit.
SSere eSt e eersates have passed into
the hands Of private holders, as many undoubt-
edly have from inquirlng into legality, iuaccura.
eies, falsty or mistakes in assessments.
But further, not only do you make the bill, by
this provision odious TO every fair legal mind, in
out 9 Copgr I Sn y9S SUI r1her sIndanSsT
/ determine the amount OF injury sustained by prl.
| yate citizens by reason OF special improvements
% Is not sutfcient answer 70 say that you only ad.
| wise Congress, because you determine the amount
the recommendation which you may make. In
effect you sit in judgment In your own case, and,
so to speas n your own wrong having ,,, caused reS
the injuries complained OF resulted.
Second. But having promised to pay us in
"three sixty five bonds" having guaranty, both
Of principal and interest, from the General Gov.
ernment, and exempt from Federal, state and
municipal taxation, you offer us . security want
| ing both Of these important features: needed to
give value to security which our necessities will
compel us TO sell as quickly as possible.
/ Third. You force us to look for payment OF
both principal and interest on this proposed new
| certificates, not to the General Government, not
| othe District government but to assessments
for special Improvements against private prop
erty, with which We ought TO have no concera,
filled with delay, distractions and expensive It'll
cations.
Permit me, finally to appeal to your sense Of
honor and oificial fairness, in view Of the near
approach Of the end Of this Congress, when we
will be without legal remedies Tor another ycer,
for ssities, the honesty OF Que Claim ully
adjnsted as to amounts, that you unite with us TO
| obtain from this Congress tho bonds which you
agreed TO deliver so us, or their value In money!
| securities OF equivalent value. / ask this he
| cause i think and other creditors OF this Dis
| triet are entitled to II.
| With the highest respect,
HENRY BIRCH.