The Evening critic., 1882-12-01


July |, 1881, the sum of...... .s096374 so
Arrears due November p 1882. S65,0Sf 10
Actual decrease OF arrears period
July !, 1881, to November 2,
1852. ................Sl3O,00O 70
cit is believed that the above large amount
of arrears Will not BIO paid unless under trans
fers necessitating clearances OF title from tax
bills, or through the passage of proper legis-
lation giving an indefeaslble title TO the pur-
chaser at tax sales. The attention of Congress
is earnestly invited TO this matter.
SIN considering the equities between the
District OF Columbia and her taxpayers, 1t is
well to bear in mind that by the organic act
OF June IL, 1878, II is provided that amy per-
son who shall, within thirty days after such
notice given, pay the taxes assessed against
him, shall be hllowed by tho collector deduc-
ton OF per cent. on the amount OF his tax.
"rhe Auditor states that the amount dis.
counted under this provision from tho reye-
june 80, 1882, was $13,323.35."
Referring to the above discount system the
Commissioners recommend tho repeal OF tho
section authorizing It, for ''the practice is ad-
vantageous, without reason, to the wealthy
tax-pay er who Is ready to profit by q payment
which nets him twenty per cent. per annum
upon the last half payment of his taxes while
II adds 10 tho burden OF his less prosperous
nelghbor by one-half the amount OF the reve-
nue. diminished thereby. Another disadyan-
tage results from locking up from the winters
business OF the trade circles OF Washington
large sum OF money which lies Idle IN the
Treasury Of the United States"
The Commissioners renew tho Recommended
lions heretofore made thata new assessment
OF the real estate OF the District should DO
ordered, on account OF tho inequality that has
grown up since the last assessment was made.
change In the license laws, so ms to secure
their more strict enforcement is recommended.
Tho Commissioners contemplate tho pos
sibllity OF being able to recommend, In case
their suggestions as TO now assessment and
reNtold license laws shall ind favor at the
hhN@ OF Congress, that levy OF u tax upon
personal property should no longer constitute
part Of the revenue system OF the District OF
Columbia.
Tho revision OF special assessments under
the requirements OF tho acts OF Congress ap-
| proved june 10, 1873, aud June 81, 1870,
| havo been completed, resulting In reduction
OF Si,3b7 1852, together with 10 per cont.
delinduent Interest, running from Ave TO ten
| years. estimating this interest for I'VE years
| only, It Is seen that the relief to property ON
| which these assessments for special improve
ments We're originally levied Is over two mil
| Hons Of dollars. sun further concessions are
| srenuously urged by Interested parties aud
| their agents; but the Commissioners oppose
| any further extension of privileges In this
| direction,
Tho Warrington Asylum is reported to have
| steadily improved tho past year. The Com.
| mlssioners Join IN the recommendation OF tho
| present inlendent, that Il house OF refuge or
| ieformatorY be established as branch OF the
| asylum, Whero juveniles committed for petty
oIonses may be kept apart from tho hardened
| cflniunlH with whom they, at present, nre
| compelled 70 associate In the wOrlhouse.
| WIN reference 20 tho public schools the
Commissioners say that the provision Of the
| rlctappr0prlatl0n act Of July 1, 1882, no.
| duclng tho Board OF School Trustees 10 nlne
members, YVES duly executed. Tho smaller
number mas proved 70 DO adequate 20 al de.
mands OF tho business Incident to the admln-
| isratiOn OF the public schools.
The reconstruction Of the Jefferson Build
Ing aud repairs 20 othof school buildings ara
noted. The continuation OF tho policy pur.
sued by Congress for several years plst OF
erecting District buildlngs for school pnrn1ses
Is earnestly recommended. Tho rented 70 mas