Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-22
District Government, Affairs.

Major Brock has sent a note to the District
Commissioners asking them to appoint a mem.
Der on the trial board, temporarily, In place OF
Lieut.. Austin, who is absent on account OF sick
ness.
RIGHTS OF THE DISTRICT AUTHORITIES TO COMPEL
PRODUCE DEALERS TO PAY LICENSE TAX.
In the Court in General Term, Judge Hagner
IN the case OF Glenn w, Cooper agt. the Dis
trfct of Columbia, taken to this court from the
ponce Court by oe1ttordri, the traverser was
prosecuted upon an Information Instituted In
the Police Court for selling as produce dealer
IN the washington market without license as
required by clause %, section q, Of the ordi-
nances or the legislative assembly. aur-oved
August go, 1871. 1t was admitted that the ar-
pelant DID not obtain license, defending his
1alluEe 10 do so upon the ground that the orJiI-
nanee was not valid one, as the legislative AZ.
nance. After stating what dir.rent Govern nul.
ments have existed ID THE strict from s,ms ~
u n ny acts OF Congress-, and the powers vested
e e. sne:l, aMSng others the right to tax by as
ssesneent Or license, he states, "These sectieps
recognize that there may be licenses issued *
whom are they are to be issued? Ry Cor cressp
II not, there Is no other power that can issue
s .nd except the authorities Of the District.
AND what body is to decide as to the proper
sup]ect Tor the operation Of these license laws?
VI course the same District authorities. Under
tne eharter OF the old city government there ex-
thorlty to license hacking coaches, lottery deal.
ers and many other dealers, including hucksters
anu penulers DiGCongress design to abrtdge this
ehumerationS Evidently NOT. Among those
classes whom the board OF police are directed by
lne revised statutes 10 supervise and inspect
are licensed vendors. There cannot well be a
mere comprehensive expression. &C. After re-
cit1ng the powers conferred in the old NUM-
cipal charters and the organic acts he states:
we have In these sections the most compre-
nenslVe grant to the District government OF
municipal powers. Surprising that the recog-
milton implied vendors, IS not to be considered
as entitled to the force which we have given to
"a mo AT hon nplyrr
quire licenses Is included within these compre-
nenslve grants Of municipal powers? Is the
issue OF a license proper subject OF municipal
They are Issued and acquired everywhere in
all cities" After carefully examining in detail
i neeq questions S by the the
case we have no difficulty In Confirming The de-
cision OF the court below"
The commissioners consider this decision SET
Ties finally an questions of power to issue
licenses III this District, which so frequently
nave oeen sought to be tested in the courts
mus embarrassing the collections of taxes and
tney WIN henceforward be governed in such col
iectlonS In the belief that the courts OF this
District will sustain them, as do the courts in
me states sustain municipal governments
within tnelr bounds In the collections OF local
revenues.
AWARDS FOR DISTRICT SUPPLIES.
The committee on bids having had Under con
Slderatton bids for twelve classes OF general
supplies to be furnished TO the District for the
nsAt liScdl year nave recommended the awards
or contracts as follows: Stationery to William
Ballantyne d Son; printing and blank FORMS
FRANKLIN Riyes; school books. G. A. Whitaker:
tnrniture, William B. Moses and Washington B.
Williams hardware Joseph L. Savage Stoves.
tnWare, &c, II. /. Gregory; plumbers supplies
and iron pipe, Thomas Somerville and John Me-
Gleiand; groceries, II. W. Hall; dry goods.
hansburgh Bros. boots and shoes, Francis
Prott; Saddery. Conrad Becker: ana Paragon
hose for fire department to Eureka Hose COM
pany: of New York; drugs and chemicals to
Scheller d stevens. The balance OF the classes
are to be scheduled as fast as possible
CONTRACT AWARDED
The contract for clearing and sweeping the
alIeys or washington and Georgetown was to-
Gay awarded to Mr.. Robert Carnes, at S4275
he Geing the lowest bidder
BUILDING PERMITS
issued by Inspector Entwisle: Patrick Swee
hey, erect two.story dwelling, Sth, between r
ana 5 SITS. NV, 81 900.