National Republican., 1882-12-04
DENlNDS OF THE DISTRICT.
First and Foremost is the Abolition Of the
Personal Tax.
A New Assessment Is Also Very Much
Needed and Desired.
A Ialf-Doseu Ways in Which Revenue Might Be
Raised.
What Prominent Property-IIolders Have
20 Say on the Subject.

the principal points therein showing the
financial condition of the District and the
recommendations of Improvement and reform
made by its rulers As it has always been the
aim of this paper to devote especial attention
to matters of local interest, and as, under the
new management, with additional space aud
an increased force of ncws-gathercrs, that
policy Us to he carried out TO even greater
eXtcnt than heretofore, IL was thought ad-
visublc to ascertain the views of some of the
leading citizens, men of property and stand
ing, as TO the report and its Recommendations.
n call was first made OH
MR., HENRY A. WILLARD,
who was formerly the vice-president of the
board of public works, aud is a large property
owner. md who was found ut his residence,
No. l:E}5 X street.
Have you read the Commissioners report,
NJ Willurd?" asked the scribe.
Yes; I'havc read il, but have not given
it the study that | intend. You see, have
been so busy during the past week with the
Garfield Fair that | haven't had much time
for anything else" ~
"Wcll, what is your general impression of
the rcpOrt?"
- thnk it is very straightforward and
Intelligent document"
"What recommendation strikes you most
fortibly?"
"That in regard TO the abolition of the per-
sonal tax. ! think every one will be glad
WnCn tnAt TAX Is done away WIN. DclleVe
there are other ways of securing revenue to
the District than by this tax. 1t has been a
decided detriment to the District, having
kept away persons who would otherwise have
bought property and taken up their residence
here, during the winter season at least 1t is
not Just when man OWns large property i'll n
State and has also Il residence here to impose
upon him tax upon his personal property
here. So say every man who has the inter-
ests of the District at heart will rejoice at the
abolition of tax which never should have
been imposed"
"What do you think of the recommended
tion rs to now assessment of rdisArty?"
g In my Judgment that is the proper thing
to do. Since the last assessment the value of
property in some localities has greatly in
creased while in others it has diminished F.;
but the increase has been far greater, and II
new assessment will add to the District reve-
nuc worry largely"
"Tha Commissioners say they are fayorably
impressed with the idea Of conhning the
license system to such pursuits and occupa-
tions rs ncccssitate the intervention of the
police force to control turbulence reprcss
crime. What do you think of that PROPOSE
tion?'
81 think that saloons, bars, and hotels
hould of course, he taxed, and that other oc-
cupations such as livery stables, insurance
companies, auctioneers, real-estate brokers,
&c, should be also required to pay license.
In fact, think nearly all trades and occupa-
tions would willingly pay license tax to be
rid of the personal tax"
How about the apportionment of the
school fund?' -
e think their recommendation that the
practice of applying the appropriation accord
ing to the actual need of the schools, without
reference to color, is eminently wise and
proper. 1t might as well be urged that the
school fund should be appOrtioned among the
different religious sccts as to divide it be-
tween the white and colored schools"
" Is there any other point in the report that
attracted your attention spcciallyW
"That in regard to compelling the tele-
graph companies to place their wires under
ground. The telegraph companies are wealthy,
and they could probably stand it, but the
telephone company would be swamped out of
existence. The placing of all wires under
ground viii come one of these days, but |
don't think it is quite time yet"
The reporter next proceeded to the house of
HON. MATTHEW G. EMERY,
who was the last mayor the city of Washing
ton had. Mr. Emery said he had hurricdly
read the report in THE REPUBLICAN, and had
laid the paper away to read again carefully.
His impressions in regard to the necessity of
the abolition of the personal tax coincidcd
entirely with those of Mr.. Willard, as did
also his views as to the necessity of now
assessment. In regard to the latter, he said
that he believed n rcasScSsinent of all the
property in the District would increase the
re venue nearly S5OO,0OO. why" said he,
there is property i'll the northwestern part Of
the city where improvements have been cN-
tensivC and rapid that is assessed at forty
cents Il foot, and now could not be bought for
$175."
what do you think of the recommends
tion that the per cent. deduction clause for
payment of tax within thirty days after
notice be repealcd?"
g l don't think that wise. | think if they
would divi8" the payments and deduction it
would hay. ntleUcy to reduce the number
of dclinpH aN-paycrs Say, let onc-half
be payable on th" lst of November with 9!
per ccut. deduct. then if paid within the
FIRST month let H. ne 10 deduction and no
penalty; in the second month add per cent,
the third 2 per cent, Sc, Thore should un-
doubtCdly be some provision for enforcing the
payment of taxes, and property that has been
long delinquent should be at once sold.'
"What do you think of the apportionmcnt
of the school fund.-"
1 " | don't think there should be any appor-
tionment, but that it should be used us neccs-
sity requires, whether for white OF colored
schools To apportion it as to color would be
as unwise rs 10 apportion il as TO race, giving
so much to the Germans, the Irish, &c"
"Werc you in favor of the reduction of the
number Of school trnstecs?"
" / certainly was, the lesser number has been
found ample for the work. In fact / think
the trustees might be abolished altogether,
md their duties, 50 far as relates to the re-
pairs of buildings, the selection of sites and
Erection Of now buildings, the apportionment
# janitors, and the auditing of bills
performed by the COmmissions
Fs themselves through the separate
Nrcaus of their Office. The curriculum and
tic care for the scholars could be attended to
b, q superintendent and two assistants, who
slpuld be paid proper salaries. l don't wish
tdbe understood as obiecting to any of the
trstecs, whonObly devote great deal of their
tine to their duties, but l think the arrange
mdlt have indicated would greatly simplify
mtters, and then we should have the services
OF he supcrintendcnts all the time. The scope
of responsibility would also be lessened
and could be more easily fixed"
'As for that matter" continued Mr.. Emery,
Il am in favor of II single Commissioner,
with perhaps an advisory board Of five, but
oily one head executive"
What do you think of the revision of the
liense system?'
II think there is some revision necessary,
bull do not believe we can afford to reduce
gratly until the large expenditures now
necessary for improvements and the replace
NETS Of rotten wood pavements shall cease"
Affairs OF the District.
Bth the majority and minority re-
porl of the commission appointed to exam
inc he Washington Clubhouse have bcen
received. The former signed by Messrs. r
L Filming and ChotIae 1ui1J,,.l