National Republican., 1880-04-01
Tho District Ia Congress.

Congressman Henkle yesterday filed In the
House petition signed by ii. b. Dulev, w.
GaslSins and other citizens Of tho District
aud Montgomery county, Maryland, praying
that the Georgetown & Rockville turnpike
be made free highway, that being the only
turnpike in the District on which toll Is col
leCted.
Senator Carpenter, from the Judiciary Com
mttoe, yesterday reported back adversely
Senator Burnside's bill to provide that in the
District of Columbia, when II legal holiday.
falls on Sunday, tho next day (Monday) shall
be observed in its stead.
A petition was filed in tho House yesterday
by Representative Aldrich, numerously sigred
by citizens of the District, requesting that
Congress make an appropriation TO pay tho
amount due by the United States to tho Dis
trct for unpaid special assessment taxes,
which the petitioners recite aggregate over
million dollars.
Mr.. Townshend's bill to create board of
assessment and taxation in tho District of
Columbia directs the Commissioners of the
District, oil or before -, 1880, and at the
end of the period of every five years thereafter
to divide tho territory of the District into dis
tricts upon the basis of the assessed valuation
thereof, and to appoint from each district so
created one citizen owning real estate in the
same who has resided in tho District of
Columbia five years, aud in tho sub-district one
year, tho appointments first made to be for
one, two and three years. and thereafter for
three years. as board of Ss;3ss;ii1ii iluu taxa
Uion. 1t Is made the duty of this board to
assess the value of all real estate and improve
ments thereon before the 1st day Of July,
1880, and determine in what manner property
other than real estate shall DO taxed, and may
impose q tax on trades occupations and cor
porations by license or otherwise, and tax
on personal property not exempted by law
Each member is to assess the property in the
district for which he is appointed, at the true
value In lawful money of the United States,
which assessment is to be submitted to the
board for approval.
Tho board is to meet on the 1st day of May
in each year thereafter and assess the valuo of
| all buildings erected or improved not hereto
fore taxed, and on tho 1st day of July in each
| year to hear appeals, and continue in session
| till all appeals are heard aud determined.
| After the completion of the above portion OF
their work the hoard shall then lovy tax,
which shall produce revenue equal to one.
| half the estimates lade by the Commissioners
| for the suppor and maintenance of said Dis.
trIct, and equal to the amount appropriated by
the Congress of tho United States for tho fiscal
year for which such estimates and appropria.
| tions are made.
Power is given the District Commissioners
| 10 convene this board at such times and places
as they may deem best for the interest of the
taxpayers of the District for the purpose OF
deciding questions that may arise during the
interim of their adjournment: Provided, They
shall in writing specially state tho object fo
which they are called together, and no bust
ness shall be transacted other than that spe
cial y named in the call.