Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-18
District Government Affairs.


Work. 50 .G0..2I. Tie amount desired for the
fScal year ending June 3ath, 1880. is Sj0o,ooo.
District Government Affairs.
Samuel Cooper, son OF eX-Adjutant General
Cooper, OF the southern cOnfederacy. q resident
Of Alexandria, has been appointed a clerk in
the water registrars Office, vice w. J. Cook re-
signed. Mr. Cooper is 4 graduate OF West Point.
Health Officer Townshend has called The at
tthtlon ci the District commissioners to the
necessity OF water closets and irinalS being
placed III the Georgetown market house, none
having ever been furnished there.
The report OF Health Officer TOwnShend for
the week ending october IL. shows Ss3 nuisances
ahated; deaths from all causes. 16; deaths in
Vestigated by coroner. 5; burials at public ex-
pense. ,; tons of garbage removed, 10l dead
animals removed, 14l: with usual record OF un-
wholesome food condemned and animals m-
pounded.
SUGGESTIONS BY THE ASSESSORS.
The District commissioners to-day received
from NesSfS. Wn. Dixon. q. \. Bohrer and B.
ID. Carpenter. the following communication:
1--WE have the honor herewith to offer two
suggestions, slight examination OF which We
think viii show, If acted upon, that the result
viii be greatly to facilitate the practical work
ngS Of the several departments of the District
government. The first relates to the immediate
preparation OF a New Plat Book for the use OF
the assessors, which shall indicate at glance
the assessed value of the ground in proXimate
squares. corners, etc. AT present this infOr-
nation is scattered through records which can
not be readily examined, hence in frequent
cases OF doubt, appeal ETC., it is difficult TO de-
eide questions involved. without troublesome
search through plat books now in USE Now
the possession of such convenient book with
results OF careful examination OF the Office
records marked thereon showing the values OF
proXlmate squares, corners, etc., always in the
hands of the officers when making assessments
i'll The field. OF in the office, would 10 large eX-
tent save time, and assist in doing Justice in
assessments and appeal cases. thus Tending
greatly TO facilitate the operations of the as
SCISSORS, and give satisfaction 10 all parties. 1t
IS undeniable, that the want OF such informa-
lon has more than anything else caused what
ever dissatisfaction there may be in connection
WIN lle recent general assessment, whether
on the part OF the taxpayers the District
government. or OF the aSseSSorS themselves. 4
specimen plat (illfllked A. is herewith iucI0Sed,
Which we viii explain if desired.
The other suggestion we beg leave to present
s the preparation of a book which will exhibit
at glance. III tabular form, such items as the
number OF square feet and acres OF The District
territory, the assessed value OF the same. the
NalGe ol improvements in each square. public
ana private. the amount assessed Tor taxation
owned by citizens. amount owned by the United
States ard District governments respectively,
the property exempt from taxation. etc. etc.
W Een there 3le calls for Information OF taiS
character, search must be made in different
localities, and through large number of rec
olGS, at great pains and loss Of time, with un-
certain results. With care il may all be Oh
tanned and tabulated, and thus placed within
immediate reach. IL would prove OF immense
convenience and value in giving information to
congress, in reaching satisfactory conclusions
III regard 10 numerous inquiries that arise in
presenting estimates when called for, or needed
Tor unusual or extraordinary OUTLAWS, based Oh
actual figures and facts, not on mere conjecture
or on statements OF possibly interested parties.
Inc want OF such sure information has, no
doubt, prevented Congress i'm the past from
doing entire justice to this District. 1t may
delay such result in the future.
The many changes OF government over Wash
IngtOn and Dist rict seem to have heretofore pre-
vented properly determined system of assess
ing property and the accumulation of informa-
ton essential TO the administration of the gov
ernment. Happily we now have a well dpeSted
and it is fOndIy hoped, permanent form OF gov
ernmenl under which these ends may be reached
As large part of this information would ne-
ceSsarily be taken from books in constant use
during the day. the work would have to be done
after the offices are closed to the public The
form (malked B) accompanying this letter will
afford some idea OF the work proposed III au-
thOriZed 70 carry ont the ideas presented we es-
innate the probable expense for labor and ma
telials al not over 500. Cur own supervision
VIII ce eAeerlully given without pecuniary re-
WaId'
BIDS WE'RE OPENED
IN ne ONCE OF The District commissioners TO-
day for furnishing and putting in heating fur
mace 10 the otn precinct station house, as fol-
lows ii. l. Gregory, 41-inch BarSt0W dome
portable furnace, S129.5o. Hayward d Hutchin-
son. largest sized portable hot-blast furnace,
with new register and necessary new pipe and
coid air box. Sl35. w. III. Narrower, SimOnds
improved Nod sand Joint portable furnace, with
q e necessary cold air pipe, sl60 Noawardwas
made.
ANNUAL REPORTS CALLED FOR.
lie D1StI1ct Commissioners have caused a
circular letter TO be addressed TO the heads OF
all the branches OF the District Government re-
Questing on or before the 18th proXimo de-
tailed statements OF the transactions of the
work in their different offices since the last re-
port, up to the first OF last July, with any re-
concentrations. with the object OF increasing
the efficiency OF the offices OF the District Gov.
ernmeht, and for estimates of amounts required
Ior Its support for the year ending June 81, 1850.
BUILDING PERMITS
ISSUED by inspector EntwiSle: John NOonan
construct a twO-stOly brick store and dwelling,
corner Goth and stS. NV; 81, 900. Michael Big
game, repair frame, 10l Virginia ave- sw: $50.
PatTlck Brennan, repair brick, 40S 1st St. H. w:
S5Co. Lambert Tree repair brick house. sic 18th
st. NV; S3lI. Elizabeth Norris. construct two
story brick dwelling. 18th ST.. between G St and
Virginia ave. S.w.; $3.50. j. s. Baldwin & Co,
construct wooden shed for asphalt works.
North Capito', between X and L stS NV: $500.
The PFsTILENCE IN THE SMALL TOwNs-The
Chicago Tribune, OF October 18th. SAYS: The
Tiibane's Memphis correspondent mas just re-
turned from trip over the Memphis and
charleston railroad for distance OF $50 miles
lie reports the situation as absolutely appall-
ing. Towns and~villageS are deserted, and the
bronze peStilence knocks at almost every door,
ntsa af s.. l.r.n to