Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-01
The Change of District Government.

The Change of District Government.
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS AT WORK.
The new engineer Commissioner of the Dis
trict, Major W. J. Twining. arrived at the
| Morrison building about 9:3O o'clock thi:
| morning considerably ahead of the othe,
Commissioners, who were at the Treasury de
paTtment arranging for the payment OF the
| interest on the District debt which is due and
| payable in New York today. They took
| morning. Ex Commissioner Bryan was pres
| ent when Major Twining arrived, and after
son some c0nversatl1n and at the suggestion OF
the Major himself, Mr.. John +. Cook a notary
pubic. was sent for, and administered the
| oath of Office to him.
CAPT. PHELPS PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITS
SION.
.Messrs. Phelps and Dent arrived about L
O'Clock, and soon thereafter the Commission
eTS, under the act. of Congress providing a
permanent form OF government for the Dis
trict OF Columbia, approved June II. 1873, viz
Seth l.. Phelps, Josiah Dent and William j,
IWlHlng. held formal meeting, aud, upon the
nomination of Major Twining, Commissioner
Phelps was unanimously chosen president of
the Commission.
ORDERS OF THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.
III was ordered that the Superintendent of
metropolitan Police shall take charge of the
books, records and affairs of the Board of
I0llce until otherwise ordered.
"a. That the Commissioners will daily re
ceiye personal communications with the pub
lie from 10 o'clock a. IN. until | O'clock D. m.
ana held executive sessions from until /
O'Clock.
A CONFERENCE.
The commissioners then, with the at Orney,
ME- A. q. Riddle, and Secretary TindalI read
over the act organizing the District govern
ment, and held an informal discussion in de
tail, OF its provisions, the purpose being to
arrive ut an understanding as to its intpntS
ard application to the future action of the au-
thOrltIeS in relation to work to be executed.
Among other things agreed upon was that the
functions of the Board of Health shall contin-
lie until health officer is appointed.
nj no int a-,t Of aI, II
trustees was merely mentioned, and the attOr-
ney called attention 10 tie wording of the law
mat the Commissioners shall appoint 4 board
OF trustees The opinion was expressed that
there would not be much difficulty in this mat
ter. Several of the heads of branches of the
,Istrlct governments were called in before the
commissioners to give Information To inter
TOgatOrleS. Mr.. Riddle was consulted in rpla-
ton to advertising the delinquent tax list, and
re-aSserted his former opinion that the publ
cation must go on.
Mr.. Collector Cook was called OF to give in
formation about the interest account, and
was directed to turn such accounts over to
the sinking fund commissioners, and they in
TURN are to be Instructed TO turn all papers
DOCKS, accounts and moneys over 10 the Trea-
SITer Of the United States Mr.. Glfllin. It
was stated by Commissioner Phelps that the
commissioners have paid off all the maturing
securities III advance OF the requirements OF
law.
Mr. Townsend was sent for, and in reply to
questions gave Il verbal st 3tement of the con
dlllOH, &c, of the public property. Several
points in the organic act We're noticed, plrtic-
ulariy mat part which says the revenues OF
the District ShGV he applied to the current eJ-
peHSeS of the District and the query arose as
TO whether by this act they have power 10 ap-
ply any OF the public revenues for interest on
the debt or the redemption of maturing Sc
curItieS, &c.
Other points in the bill were dScussed-one
III IeIatlOn 10 the appointment of sanitary in
SpectorS. the law providing for the appoint
ment OF SIX, two OF whom may be physicians,
and third one. who shall be skilled in mat
tiers OF drainage and ventilation.
In relation TO section II, which SAYS THAT
the term school houses in the act OF June Il,
1870, was intended to embrace all COLLEGIATE
establishments actually used for educational
purposes, and not for private gain, and that
al! taxes heretofore imposed upon such eStab-
h>hmentS in the District since the date of said
act are hereby RENTED, and such taxes as
have been paid shall be refunded. Commits
SlOner Phelps stated that this would not in
VOlye much, as but very little taxes had been
paid on such property, the legality of the
question having always been regarded as IN
settled.
CONCENTRATIONS
After full discussion of the law the doors
were opened and swarm OF visitors were
ready 10 rush IN with papers to lay before the
BOARD, urging the appointments of them
selves or their friends TO office. and others con-
graduating the new officers upon the auspi-
cl0uS look OF District matters, and wishing
!hem success IN the future administration OF
the public affairs.
The commissioners say that it is impossible
now TO say what amount will be expended
upon improvements the coming season. but
that PROBABLY the extent in superficial wards
Will reach 10 ltU.OcU: and that whatever work
Is gwen out. lab0rerS and others connected
with such work belonging to the District will
N nTSl1 IFS