National Republican., 1878-04-15


Department Of the General Government
A Way to settle the Question Of Taxation
Some Good Suggestions From u Demo-
cratic Source.
The indications are that the present session Of
Congress may pass away without making provision
for a future clear understanding of the relations to
be borne between the Federal Government and the
people Of tile District in the management of its
municipal affairs. 1t would DO lamentabc to have
matters remain in their present dscorlant and in
equitable condition. We notice that Mr.. William
H. ClGgtu, whose political sympathes are decid-
edly with the majority In the House. has felt
called upon, III view of the impending necessities
of the case to give his views this question to
the public. TIE we'll known probity Of Mr. C. as
cit,en-his experience In public aHairs-his
knowledge Of the interests sentiment, and temper
Of the people Of the District all combue to attach
weight 10 his views on this question, and would
seem 10 cnutle them to respect. Most assurcdy, II
anything Is TO be done to afford relief to the suffer
ing people who inhabit within the boundaries Of
the District of Columbia, II should bo done without
delay. aud the suggestions Of Mr. Clagett, II
needed might materially aid IN framing meas.
ure that would meet the exigcncics Of the occasion
Hence we extract libcrally therefrom:
Congress should. by joint resolution or other.
wise settle the question Ms regards Jurisdiction in
the District and settle the question now and for all
future that they have no power to place the prop;
Of the citizens Of the District tho General Govern.
mcnt possessing the larger portion Of area aud
value and by the Constitution OF the United states
the exclusive legislative Jurisdiction This question
being settled beyond doubt would be the trst best
step. Then frame bill making the. District Of
Il unlh'a Department Of the General Government.
| T. bc managed by officers appointed 0s Congress
may elect provide for the number Of officers and
their duties in the bill. and hold them toas strict
accountability, all other officers of the General
Government are held IN other Departments. This
world relieve the taxpayers from having TO
provide for All army of druncs now sucking out
their very existence.
The General Government having rIll control. let
the executive officers make hCir CstlmaieI for the
fiscal year ending January ~ 1872, keeping In view
nm economical government. aud provide for liberal
Improvements and then, instead nf the citizens
fruitlcly appealing to congress tn provide i1r the
General Government rrNpJrtUn OF the local eN-
pcnscs let the General ,nvcrument state what pro
portion the citizens Of the District shall pay towards
/ the local CXUCnsCs
! itw0uld moi be material to the General Govern
rncnt how she amount to hc paid by the citizens Is
raised aud to meet the right claimed by taxpayers.
! that they should have voice in regard To taxing
their property. Civ" the taxpayers Of the District
/ the pHwer of clcctuE any given number OF their
. own citizens, To be known n the bpnrd Of Assess
! mCnt and taxation with full power 10 assess ana
/ levy taxes. to raise the amount dcnaEded a their
| part Of the local expenses of the District by the
GynCral Government, the tax levied 10y said beard
To- he collected by an officer Of the General GOvern
! 'nent II is the opinion Of many ctin.ns that n
sy.tciu of taxation could 10 orgnmizcd that would
greatly relieve tho citizens Of the District from the
! oppression they nov suffer by the imperfect tax
law. enacted by Congress IN tn" hurried legislation
at the end Of each scssiun Congress would also
he relieved from this most Troublesome legislation
for the District. and II would be more satisfactory
70 the citizen taxpayer.
The tax and assessment bills generally passed by
Congress do not give sufficient tme for a proper
assessment for the purpose Of taxation. The board
! Of assessments Gud taxation could provide for
proper a-scssnCnt for the Iscal year Guiding June
| 5D. iSSO 81 Il could IN that time be properly and
thoroughly done, and would not require to be ai-
tered for several years.
Congress might also authorize said board to pre-
pare code Of ordinances for tho government Of
the local Affairs Of the district 70 be submitted TO
Cnnsrrs. 10 he enacted into law thereby getting rid
, Of the conflicting and cumbersome laws and or.
dlnancss handed down from the old city corpora
ton aud since enacted by Congress with the power
10 employ good legal aid. With the experience Of
wel.GOyerned cities throughout the country, and
tic city of Washington the worst governed code
OF laws and ordinances could b. devised by the
hoard that would make the District OE Columbia
the best governed place ir the country. Then re-
peal all cXiFtiug laws and ordinances. Hereafter
any matter affecting pc Interest OF tha ctizcn' oi
the District could be specially referred to tins board
by Congress, thereby relieving Congress OF all
doubt A. regards proper legislation for the District
The compensation for the members uf the board
Of assessment and taxation 10 be small! so that the
position would be attractive 10 parties seeking
office and the board having no power over the
finances, tramps would give the position wide
berth.
trCt could he safely left with the officials appointed
by the General HuveTnmcnt, A. matter Of relief
Congress might authorize me secretary OF the
Treasury 10 negotiate sufficient of the per cent,
Government bonds " cali iu all the bonded in.
debtcdness Of the District Of Columbia, except the
3G5 debt The difference between the interest that
the debt nov curries aud per cent would provide
u sinking fund that would soon reduce tho present
debt.
The bill might alao authorize the executive Off
GERS 10 extend SOME liberal proposition 10 tax
payers who In HrreuTs for taxes thereby collect
Ing Immediately a large portion Of the taxes nov
In arrears aud bearing heavy penalties and cost
The same authority might be given the executive
officers u adjust all special assessments made fol
the improvements Of the city.
/ lfs0mCthing final and definite eau be enacted b,
Congress thi- srssiOn II IL the opinion Of the cti
that the Capital Of tho nation viii be invested
with new life and prosperity.
". H. CLAGETT.