Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-01
OF Mutual Advantage.

The District bill comes up again to day for
discussion in the House. Ii is to he hoped
that the members in dealing with the measure
will remember that the great vital feature OF
il to the unfortunate people of the District is
that fixing definitely an equitable appOrtiOn-
ment OF District expenses between the GOV
eminent and the District taxpayers. The
people of course have an interest in the other
provisions of the bill, but not the intense
anxiety in regard 10 their fate that they feel
for this imperatiyely needed feature of relief.
II is probable that the amount contributed by
the Government to District expenses under
the fifty per cent. provision, would not exceed
that now appropriated by Congress annually
in various bills, but the benefit to be derived
from definite settlement of rate would be
that the people would know exactly what
amount of taxation would be required of
them every year, and the District authori-
ties could make yearly the precise esti-
mates in that respect. The present prac-
tice of making special appropriations an
nualy for this and that object of District eX-
pense is hap-haZard. hand tO-mOuthp process,
and cOmpels the District people to lose time
and selfreSpect by appearing before Congress
men in the attitude of beggarS every session
to explain to them the needs, and burdens of
the community cover which Congress has eX-
elusive legislation. 1t would not only save
much time to the District people, but to Con
greSsmen, to have this question of appOrtiOn-
ment definitely settled. The latter are fully
occupied with matters of national Importance.
or of State interest. and it must he a serious
tax upon their time to give patient hearing
every session to the representations in regard
to District needs. And yet the District people
have no other source of redress. and must con-
finue to press upon them with their grievances
iIntil their unhappy condition is remedied. In
every way ii will be for the advantage of Con
.reSS and the District to have this matter of
the equities settled once for all
Gen. 1gnatief has returned from his Vienna
mission apparently unsuccessful. 1t is certain
that he has not obtained AuStras assent to
the San StefanO treaty by any concessions
which he was authorized to make, and that, so
far as an AustrO- Russian alliance is concerned
his visit was failure. But he has no doubt
learned exactly how matters stand at Vienna
which will be information of great Importance
NJ ST. Petersburg and has placed the bait of
territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT fairly before Aus
tria. He may also have carried some minor
points in his conference with Count AndraSsy
which will tend to keep Austria neutral 1t is
possible, then. that lie carries some grains of
comfort back to st. Petersburg
~O~--
To day Michigan will vote on two proposed
amendments to the state constitution. and the
usual township elections will take place To
morrow Wisconsin elects two Judges of the
supreme court. The republicans and demo
Gratis have agreed on a combination ticket
which will be supported by both parties. On
Wednesday Rhode Island will re elect the pres
ent incumbentS of the state Offices who are
nominated by the republicans and prOhib-
tiOniStS. The annual election for members of
the legislature will be held on the same day
Tomorrow week the people of Washington
territory are to elect delegates to frame a con-
stitutiOn for the admission of the territory into
the Union asa state. Other elections in towns
and cities in some of the states will be held
within the month of April
So MARYLAND will not receive orr cOnyictS i'm