Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-10-22
Total.

Mr.. Davis explained that the taxpaying ca
pacity OF the District, as based upon the
present assessed valuation of property yields
s1,50O,o0O revenues, which is just about one
half Of what is needed to meet current ex-
penses.
Mr. John T. Given said the occasion re-
minded him of the preliminary steps of the
mastering in OF forces for campaign pur-
poses, and il occurred to him that IL would
ro a,,S De n ibnaPP,opria,e In honor to their
zation as the Riggs Legion" Applause
Such apathy as has been manifested by the
people OF this District the past few years, in
view OF their financial condition, was TO him
surprising. The exhibit just read, OF our in
debtedness, ought 10 arouse them 10 a sense
OF their danger, and he believed IL would. As
he understood il the primary object OF this
organization is TO uphold and strengthen the
hands OF our District Commissioners i'm the
management of our public affairs, and he
would say. chief and brightest of these Off
Gals Is The Hon. Thomas y. Bryan, zap
plause,) a gentleman who merits and pos
sesses the confidence OF our citizens. To ef-
feet their common Obj act they must be a
UNI. Thls above all things else is necessary,
and they must know 10 sectional nor parti-
IAN prejuoices in this labor. The interests of
Georgetown are Identical with Washington.
and the same may be said OF the county out
side. lApplause. Their work then is 10
map ont what is 10 be done, and make its
accomplishment a common cause. They all
know the importance Of systematic org aui-
zatlOn and unity afterwards. Let them cult
iva:e a little OF the missionary spirit, and all
improve every occasion to impress upon
Congress the importance OF do ng simple
stupendous debt imposed by agents OF the
general government. IL was not his purpose
nor hisdisposition to criticise the acts of in
dividuals In the past; the present was enough
Tor them 10 meet. The eyes OF the commu-
nifty are upon them, and every IN I'm Der OF
these committees is expected to do his duty.
Love OF country aud home is natural As
for himself he loved the place of his birth
where he had spen; the best days of his life,
and expected 10 end his career. The taxable
property OF the citizens OF this District, and
that owned by the general government are
nearly equal, and the duty OF this com mittee
10 be announced by the chair is TO impress
upon every member OF Congress the equity
ial city OF the country, and making IL worthy
OF helpg the national metropolis. lap
Judge Joseph Casey was the next speaker.
DE said the statistical statement made oy
MI. Davis, that the debt OF this District was
upwards OF S23 600 900, was sad commentary
on past public mismaDagement,b but should
They are reminded by this sho wing that
their entire real estate In this District is
morigaged to the extent OF over 25 per cent.
OF Its value. This condition OF things has q
most depressing effect upon real estate here.
Here real estate has never been inflated as II
has been in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and in
other large cities; but this terrible mortgage
like an Incubus or nightmare, is hsngins
over us, and they must look upon this state
of affairs as business men, and the only thiog
which remains is TO present this showing 10
Congress, which has exclusive Jurisdiction,
and ask that they take the responsibility OF
their own agents. He wished to avoid touch
ing upon any of the partizan q uestions whicb
had heretofore entered into our loca affairs
Let ne dead past be forgotten. They know
mat the debt u hanging like q pail owe
them, and provision for its extinguisamen
has 70 be made. 1t was on that OCCASION Tor
them 70 suggest and arrange what shall be
done. Whatever 10 done, let the plans be
well laid and the attainment of the neusaed
opJect oe made common cause. Whether
tbs plan should be for Q stated division OF
me expenses OF the District; or for Cong rsss
70 axe the entire District into its own charge;
pay Al expenditures and tax the people for
ieimDoeement; or any other plan, 10 for them
70 consider, but whatever u adoptod, Let all
pursue the same object with energy and per-
seTxera1ce; IApplausel
choose an executive oo6mif1os % bring -
fore Congroos such matters Of leg1olAtion -
al asTee upon . best aur ~ DistE1o6