National Republican., 1878-07-01
THE NEW DISTRICT GOVERNMENT

lO-uay tue Dlstrlct oil IOlumDa taxes
new departure, under new laws and new
administration of its affairs, which, it is to
be hoped, will lead on to prosperity. Un-
der the new law, which clearly defines the
amount Of expense to be borne by the tax
payers and the Government, the burdens of
taxation must become lighter upon the
property-holders. Heretofore much the
larger portion Of the expense Of governing
and improving the District has fallen upon
the property Of the people. This, under the
new regime, is more equally divided, fact
which will greatly relieve the hometown
energies of the taxpayers and encourage
them to new enterprises. Property has
heretofore been so severely taxed that cap
italists within the last year or two have
shrunk from investment, and those who
have invested have been struggling under
serious sdiscouragements which have tended
to retard the growth and prosperity of the
city.
But old things have passed away and all
things have become new to the administra-
tion Of public affairs. Much of the ma
chincry of the Government has been
changed, for better or worse, as the case may
he demonstrated in history. A Board of
Commissioners, OF now men, with a single
exception, will take charge of the District
government to-day. We expect from these
Commissioners a wise, judcious, aud liberal
exercise Of powers, 80 that an age Of i'm
provement may Immediately ensue. Much
as has been done to improve and beautify
the Capital City Of the nation, much re-
mains yet to be done in that direction.
The numerous streets that have been paved
with wood-one Of the great mistakes in
our past system Of nprovement-should at
once be replaced by the concrete pavement,
which has shown itself TO be the most en-
during and comfortable yet introduced.
There is much that needs to be done in this
direction, and for the beauty and comfort
of the city "twere well done 'twcre done
quickly" The property of the city is now
relieved from all local improvement taxes
when the District expense is determined ii
is equally divided between the General
Government and the property-owners, and
the half allotted to the Taxpayers is their
burthen. No other taxes, save that relic oi
injustice, the personal tax, is imposed upon
the people. This greatly simplifes taxa.
tiou, aud will prove a source OF relief tC
prOpcrty-holdcrs
We repOse implicit confidence in the new
Board OF Commissioners, and shall continue
to do so until they shall teach us that oul
confidence has been misplaced 1t will
afford us pleasure TO stay up their hand;
and yield TO them more than "A generou,
support in all that tends to the public wei
fare. We propose TO trust them in the
development Of their plans and policies o
municipal government with a generous
confidence and patience. We shall be more
hasty to approve than to condemn, for W,
are not unmindhl Of the fact that in tn,
outset of new administration OF Attain
involving radical changes those entrusted
with those duties and responsibilities
should be regarded with sentiments, feelings
and actions Of the widest charity. w
propose to be guided by such line o
policy in considering the conduct of oul
: new District administration.
The people Of the District of Columb
have cause OF much rejoicing at this ney
departure in our municipal history. !
looks rs II new and brighter era is abou
5 to dawn upon u.s. The owneror real estate
e the merchant. the manufacturer, every citi
zen Of enterprise and business, and ever.
4 material interest connected with the Distric
! hrve occasion now to put on fresh hope, re
: newcd courage, u more vigorous spirit of en-
terprise relating to the future. The labor
. ing man will now, we trust, lind new an