Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-22
Injustice to District Tax.Payers.

The pass iSG By tae Senate or tle bill renting
the taxes, general and special, with the costs and
penalties thereon due by ELIZA w. Patterson,
widow OF Carlisle p. Patterson, late supern-
tendent OF the coast survey is an outrageous piece
OF faToTitiSm TO the disadvantage OF the general
Taxpayers of the District, similar to that passed
By Congress exempting the property OF Mrs. X ate
Chase Spraguo from taxation. There Is no reason
In the world for this gratuty by Congress from the
District rLTenueS, or why Congress should tax the
District TO reward government officer for puOli;
services when that officer drew his salary regU-
larry, and WAS as fully paid as any other govern
ment officer. Any claim he may have had for
damages On account o. public improvements, IL
any exists, Is precisely The 5l!ne rs that OF
thousands OK others WHO have never had a cents
worth OF allowance by the District gsvernm mt
nor by any court. TIE amount OF The arrears OF
taxeS, &C., IN this case Is about $4,000, which
added to the government 20 per cent makes q
depletion OF $4,000 from the District revenues
But 1t Is the fragrant Injustice to other taxpayers
that makes this piece OF special legislation the
mere ccnSuT2blc- Inquiry OF the District Comrni5-
S'oners shows that they had no part or lot in the
Introduction OF this bill. They were never con-
suited In regard to t; and its provisions unjust
to other Taxpayers, and SD injurious to the Dis
trict revenues meet their entire dsapproya. 1t Is
to be hoped the House VIII reject this piecee of
favoritism, and thus arrest the establishment Of q
line OF special legislation founded upon the bad
precedent OF the Spfague case.
The negotiations between the coal companies
and the miners in the Cumberland coal region,
looking to i compromise, seem to have failed, and,
apparently, nothing is now being done In that d.
recton. In Pitt5burg tine strikers have beel in
creased by achievements from several mills, the
employees OF which at first refused to join the
movement Both sides TO the controversy appear
TO be preparing for long siege. A resolution has
been introduced In the Senate for the creation Of
select committee to inquire into the causes OF the
strike, the relations OF labor and capital and other
questions connected with existing troubles. Such
an INQUIRY might not do any good but it certainly
could not do any harm, and the bare possibility of
accomplishing something in the direction of So
luton of the troubles makes it worth the trying.
The military parade in Baltimore yesterday was
fine display of citiZen-S0ldiery of this country,
and 1T opened the grand encampment with an ecIat
that was gratifying to the people OF that city, who
have exerted themselves to the uttermoSt to make
the event a complete success. The national capt.
tai, too, has ample to share in the feeling Of
pride, as the military organizations from this city
contributed so much to the success of yesterday IS
demonstration. Their soldierly bearing and pre-
cision OF movement attracted attention all along
the line and brought them compliments from all
quarters