The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-11-26


5000, s03.O6 on personal property The lat
ter are, however, merely nominal. More Of
fective legislation is needed for the collcc-
ton of taxes on real property, by
which valid titles may be assured to pur-
chasers at tax-sales.
With regard to assessments the report
says s:. ..... ...,., ..,.. ..,, c,,,
gress on the 14th of February last the col
lection and settlement of special assess
ments, as revised under acts 10Th of June,
1878, and 9th of June, 1879, have steadily
and satisfactorily progressed. There had
been issued under said acts on the 10th OF
October 1881, drawback certificates to the
amount of 1854, 203.96, of which S409,057.-
so had been received in payment Of special
ceived in payment of general taxes leaving
unredeemed, $24924.29; to be issued (esti-
mated), $39,914O7; total, 1854, 1886. The
amount of per cent. certificates unre-
deemed on the 10th of October, 1881, was
about 1921 300. leaving, with estimated
interest, about $766,0OO to be redeemed;
and the amount of uncollected assessments
pledged for their redemption was, ut the
same date, 1864, 2O3.96. This last sum does
not include interest, alley assessments
street railroad assessments now in lit
igation, nor assessments against the
United States, amounting, rs revised, to
1921 1854. There were on the 10th OF
October outstanding in the hands Of third
parties about 100000 tax-lion certificates
issued by the late Board Of Public Works;
and the amount Of uncollected assessments
applicable to their redemption, was $154,-
$685. showing deficiency of about Sl05,,
600. This deficiency is the difference be-
tween the original assessment and the
amount found due on revision under act OF
10th of June, 1873"
The Commissioners renew the rccommen
dation heretofore made, that the unre
deemed eight per cent. certificates, and that
all unsettled tax.liens now in the hands Of
third parties be funded in the three.sixty
five bonds, or some other convenient form
and respectfully refer to the reasons given
at large in said report for this recommenda
ton.
The total bonded debt of the District O.
Columbia on LIST October last was $21 ,S96,
$50, which shows reduction since LIST July
1873, under the operation of the sinking
fund, of $210, 900, notwithstanding the add
tional issue, under act Of 10th June, 1880, O.
$7l9,sO0 of three-sixty-fve bonds to FUND
the floating debt of the District. There
has also been since that date reduction il
the annual interest charge o.
5,46777, and the amount o
$4,000 of three-sixty.fve bonds repre-
senting the Washington school fund, ha.
been Cancelled and destroyed, as directed by
the District appropriation act of Sd March
1881. With view to the unifcation ofth'
District debt, it is recommended that the
Treasurer of the United States be author.
lied to redeem, as speedily as may be prac
ticable and advantageous by the issue anC
sale of the three.sixty-fve bonds, all othel
outstanding bonds of the District.
Considerable space is devoted to the pub
lie schools. The building of school houses
has progressed rapidly, but the Commission
ers say that more are needed and Fedora
legislation and more liberal appropriation,
are urged. 1t is not possible that the local
resources of the District can meet the popu
lar demand for educational facilities.
The south wing of the Work-house has
been completed, making the total cost o
the Washington Asylum building S37,
063.52 Tho recommendation of the in
tendant that farm be purchased for thu
use of the asylum is Endorsed,
The establishment off board of charitie
is again recommended.
The Inspector of Buildings reports tina
permits have been issued during the yea
for building improvements Of the estimated
value of $l,951 $40, which embraces tn
sum of 81 1851, 400 for new brick building
whose character and value favorably com
pare with those OF like structures erectet
during any preceding year. The royenu