Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-29
expense involved in this Recommendation would
mot exceed $50 OD0
'''' eAe fSpUsTR1A1, HOME SCHOOL.

inmates and OF children IN It's neighD0rh00d.
substantial addition OF three stories, comprising
large school room. workshop, and laundry,
has also been made to its accommodations, at a
cost of about s., 200. OF this sum its public
81 500 from the meagre appropriation OF 5000
made by Congress for its maintenance during
the current fiscal year. Although established,
and thus far chiefly sustained, by private bene-
violence, II is destined we believe, to solve sue
cessfully the important problem of industrial
education as factor in our system Of public
instruction. This consideration is the more i'm
portant because by the adverse influence Of labor
organizations, the apprentice system, formerly
in use for the instruction OF youth In the vari-
GUS trades and Industries, has been virtually
abandoned.
INEBRIATE ASYLUM
we have been requested by highly respected
cit1zens engaged in the benevolent effort to eS-
tabliSh In this District national asylum for in
ebriateS, to invite your attention and the atten-
ton OF Congress to the importance OF this enter
prise. charter for this purpose was granted
by Congress in 1876, but the corporation, as yet,
is without the necessary means to organize the
institution, and the finances OF the District do
not warrant the Commissioners in assuming
any responsibility for this humane object. This
class OF patients are not accepted by medical
authorities as proper subjects for treatment in
asylums for the insane, and the management of
the Government Asylum in the District of Co
lumbia is in harmony with this view Of the case
Inc subject therefore, taking in view the large
number OF federal employees in the civil, mill
tary, and naval service, appeals strongly to the
BOARD OF CHARITIES.
We also recommend that the Commissioners
De authorized to appoint a board, consisting Of
flve citizens of recognized integrity and intell-
gence, to serve without compensation, who, sub
Ject to the control of the Commissioners, shall
nave power, and whose duty 1t shall be- to VISIT
inspect and supervise all charitable, reformato-
~, ana penal institutions supported in whole or
In part by the District of Columbia, and under
whose supervision and direction also all moneys
Tor the relief of the poor may be expended.
AUDITOR AND COMPTROLLER.
The Auditor and Comptroller of the District
submits detailed statements and explanations
OF the receipts and expenditures of the govern
ment of the District for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1879, with valuable suggestions and re-
commentators on other subjects connected
with its financial management.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
The Collector reports the total collections by
ms Office during the fiscal year ending June 80,
1879, at 81 $40, 327.62
He also comments on the large amount OF un-
collected, general, and personal taxes from
portion Of which, however, is disputed by the
parties against whom it is assessed. The Balti-
more and Ohio railroad is the most notable of
these delinquents, and it is charged with about
$4,000 arrearageS Of taxes, not including in
terest and cost of advertising for sale. A num-
Der of the banks in the District which claim i'm
munity from personal assessment are also
largely represented in this delinquent account.
He recommends that measures be taken looking
to an adjustment OF this matter.
He calls attention to the tmpracticability of
enforcing collections Of the dog tax under the
present law, since the decision OF the Judge of
the Police Court, that offenders under it were
not liable TO criminal action; and to the neceS-
sity OF further legislation to make the law effec-
tive as the collections under it have been greatly
decreased by the influence of that decision.
TREASURER AND ASSESSOR.
The treasurer and assessor reports his receipts
and deposits in the Treasury of the United
States for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1879,
the assessed value Of property in the District,
and the amount of tax chargeable against the
same.
He refers to the difficulty of collecting the
personal tax under the present law, and some
of the methods resorted to in evadipg its pay.
ment, and in this connection comments adj
versely on the taxation of loans upon real estate
and its effect in restricting the Introduction of
foreign capital.
He also refers to the enormous amount of
property assessed to educational and benevolent
associations, &C, upon which no tax is paid, and
the deSirabiltty of legislation to make more
equal distribution of the burden of taxation and
to more clearly define the law respecting exemp-
lions of church and school property.
Referring to the large amount of riparian
property evading taxation, he advises that the
question of its ownership be settled by Congress,
and advances certain suggestions respecting a
new assessment OF property In the District.
FIRE DEPARTM ENT.
The commissioners Of the Fire Department
make q showing at length of the transactions,
condition, and needs of their department.. They
renew their recommendation that provision be
made for disabled f1remen, and give reasons in
support OF it that are worthy OF attentive con-
sideration. We join in their reference to the
efficiency of their department, whose reputa-
ton is a matter OF just pride to out citizens.
THE ATTORNEY.
The Attorney reciteS briefly the important
causes acted on by his office, and the condition
of some still unsettled. He reports the whole
number Of civil cases finally disposed of since
last report at 70 and the commencement OF q
new Ones and that 260 civil cases Of various ma
+ linn un rfc, f1NnI ic,
pOsal of SIS criminal cases, and that 60 are pend
ing. Also that 1924 cases were tried in the Po-
lice Court. He refers to the hardship to the
District and its citizens caused by the act of
February 25. 1879, in the matter Of appeals to
the United STATES Supreme Court, and suggests
that the act be amended so as to permit the
District to take up to the court one case of a
special class. whatever may be the amount In
volved.
CORONER.
The Coroner reports the NUMBER OF deaths
certified by him during the year ending June
30, 1879 He renews his recommendation that
a coroner'S jury hereafter consist Of six citi-
ZenS, to be paid 50 for each case in which they
are summoned and refers to the present need
OF morgue.
HEALTH OFFICER.
The Health Officer reports the transactions Of
his Office for the past year, including the abate
ment of nuisances, the inspection of articles OF
food, the removal of garbage, night soil, and
dead animals, burial at the public expense, the
registry of births, deaths, and marriages. and
Tie Vi Oll6T sanitary udlUeTS FALLING
under his supervision. He makes many i'm
pOrtant suggestions respecting the administra-
ton Of his department., and subjects connected
Herewith, which merit the attention Of Con-
gress.
POLICE.
The Superintendent of Police recommends an
increase OF his department, and among the rea-
sons given therefor is the fact that no enlarge
ment OF the force under his charge has been au-
thorized since its establishment in 1866, and al
though there has been an extraordinary in
crease in the population and property it is ey-
pected to protect He recOuntS the excellent
results from the increase in the number of
mounted police and from the establishment of
the ambulance service. He refers to the deSira-
bility OF erecting buildings for station-houses
instead of those rented at present; to the neceS-
sity for increasing the capacity Of the Boys Re-
form School, and the establishment of an fnSti-
tuition with like object for girls; to the estab-
lishment Of free city hospital and disper-
Sary; to the necessity for a better system for
the control OF trampS, and recommends that
provision be made for the care of infirm and dis
abled policemen, to all of which the Comnai..
sioners ask the considerable attention OF Con-
greSS.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
The Inspector Of Buildings reports having is
sued :, 9S1 permits for the erection and repairs
OF buildings, &C., including cost Of S1735, IFS,
81 ,306 625 OF which was for new brick buildings.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PROPERTY.
The superintendent OF Property submits q
statement OF the purchase and distribution OF
supplies for the various DEPARTMENTS of the