Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-29

Total expenditures So, 467, 6o5 90
BONDED DEBT.
Under the provisions OF the act, approved
March 10, 1879 authorizing the issue Of per
cent bonds of the District OF Columbia, for the
purpose OF refunding certain bonds OF said Dis
trict 81 COZ 800 Of the new bonds prepared by the
Commissioners were sold by the Secretary OF
the Treasury at premium OF $, 552.06. The
saving in annual interest thus effected will be
slO923. Since July l, 1875, there has been a total
reduction OF s4lS, 1861 in the principal OF the
District bonded debt, and total reduction of
$50, "a in the annual interest thereon.
The commissioners recommend that action be
taken in the matter OF the unfunded debt OF the
District, on the basis OF payment in 3.G5 bonds
GENERAL TAXES.
The payment of the last half Of the tax for
year ending June 80 1879, as well as OF all de-
lnquent taxes, was delayed by the pending in
Congress OF the act, finally passed and approved
June q, 1873, authorizing the settlement on or
before october l, 1919, OF all taxes due to the
District by payment OF principal and per cent
interest thereon, in lieu OF the rate and penal
ties imposed in the laws levylng such taxes.
The total receipts OF general taxes under the
act OF relief above cited, from its passage to
october was $50, I6I.1S, OF which ST $780, was
paid in drawback certificates, leaving Still in
arrear on 1st November, 1879, 81 POP 095.4I.
That more effective laws are needed TO enforce
the payment of taxes Is apparent from the above
exhibit. The amount OF arrearageS increases
yearly, and seriously emharrasses the manage
ment OF District affairs, and the continuance of
this state OF things not only encourages the
growth OF the evil, but is unjust to citizens who
pay their taxes promptly.
ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY.
Numerous errors and irregularities have been
found to exist in the present assessment OF real
property in the District OF Columbia, which the
Commissioners have no authority TO correct
ErrorS and omissions are liable to occur in every
general assessment; and, although the assessors
are required by law TO hear appeals for short
period after completing their work. it general
ly happens that either from the absence, ignor-
3nce or neglect or taxpayers many mistakes or
defects remain uncorrected. We therefore recon-
mend that the Commissioners be authorized to
appoint eight suitable persons, one to be selected
from each OF the police districts, who, with the
assessor as presiding officer, shall constitute a
permanent board OF review 10 hear all complaints,
and TO revise, correct, and eQuaiZe all assess
ments which, in their Judgment, may require
correction; said board TO convene whenever no.
titled by the Commissioners, and to report to the
assessor once month all new improvements
and other changes affecting the taxable proper
ty within their respective districts.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.
The revision OF assessments for special i'm
provements, directed by acts OF Congress, APP
proved June 10, 1878, and June 81, 1879, has been
pushed with all the force that could be used
effectively, but is not yet completed. The labor
is OF such character that its progress is depend
ent upon the working capacity Of one person
having IT In charge
From July /, to october /, 1872 the payments
on account OF special assessments have been as
follows, viz:
In money. Observation-Disclosures. S261 81
IN BOARD OF audit certificates. ......... 1000 90
4l,SZo 10
III IRA" oack ceftncates. 1895 92
iotai....... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1870 3S9 ~
There are per cent certificates now
ouIstanding. =. 49,: $685. $50 90
due is.................... 100000 90
1otai.-...-... ......--......-......9 06 $50 90
Tor payment OF which all special ASSESSMENTS
except those for which liens are held by third
parties, are pledged.
Inc unpaid assessments thus pledged less
1faMpacks issued on account OF reyisions
amounts to 81 ,0SS 596 GO '
me 81 section Of the act Of June 81. 1879.
tno onans, Inat drawback certificates issued
~ aSuruance win It's provisions shall be re-
Gessd In payment Of al special asseSsments.n
Inns was construed by the board to include
tEose assessments for which certificates aTe held