National Republican., 1883-03-05
CONGRESS AND THE DISTRICT.

people.
CONGRESS AND THE DISTRICT.
What Has Peen Gained During the
Session Just Closed--The New Assess
mcnt.
The district is to be congratulated con-
sidering the great questions of national inter-
est that have necessarily absorbed the atten-
tion of congress, upon the consideration that
has been bestowed upon the legislation that
was asked for by the commissioners. Tho
wedding out of tho corrupt detectives
and the increase of the police force
can be classed as an essential boon. Tho
repeal Of the unnecessary and ineQuitable
! discount Of per cent. upon tax payments
more justly equalizes the burthcns of tax
payers, and will augment tho revenues of tho
district at least $4,000. The penal clauses
which were sought to be imposed upon con.
traband retail liquor sellers only failed for
want of time, the amendments of the senate
to the house measure reaching the latter
body too late for concurrence. The appro-
priations arc all the commissioners asked for,
and there can he no doubt that under tho
| present regime they will be faithfully and eff
| iectually applied.
Tho new assessment law was passed
Saturday night by the senate as it came
from the house in December, and
met the Presidents approval before the ad-
| iournment. A difficulty arises, however, in
| putting tho measure into practice from the
fact that no appropriation was made to
| deiray the expcpse involved. Both the regu-
| lar district appropriation, the sundry civil, as
| well as the deficiency bill, had been passed
| before the assessment bill was acted upon, and
| the appropriation committees of both houses
had been unwilling to make provisions before
| its passage for q measure that was only pend-
| ing. 1t may, however, be within the cOmpc-
| tenGe Of the commissioners to meet this diff
| Guilty, and no doubt the great importance and
| value of the measure will induce them to ex-
| haust every effort TO make it available.
Beside these there has been inserted in the
district deficiency bill, which was for IS, 400,
provisions for fuel for the schools aud for
witness fees. The prosecution of offenders
against the liquor license laws had been so
| vigorous that the allowance for witness fees
had become exhausted, but this deficiency
| places the matter upon proper footing.
! Another clause was inserted in the defli-
cheney bill, which will prove of great satisfac-
| tion to the unfortunate employees who have
been the victims Of Comptroller Law
rence's strict construction of law. This
clause provides that tho comptroller shall
hold the matter in allegiance, and that the
employees shall be entitled to receive their
regular pay until n decision as to the re-
sponsibility for the over payments shall be
| made.
This action was due entirely to the ener-
getic efforts of Commissioner West, who in
January last called the attention of Senator
Allison to the matter, and who followed it up
until Mt the last moment he succeeded. Tho
boys will be grateful to Gen. West for his en-
crgctic efforts in their behalf
The sections OF the new assessment bill,
about which there can be no question, are as
follows:
SEC Il. That annually, or prior TO July /. the
assessor of the district shall take list of all real
property which shall have become subject to
taxation, and is not OH the tax list and afRx a
value thereon, according to the rules prescribed
for assessing real estate; and he shall make re-
turn of all new structures ana additions to or i'm
provements of old structures of over Sl00 in
value, the value of which shall not have
which such structures have been erected, specify
ing the tract or lot of land on which eacn of such
structures has been erected, and the value which
has been added to any such lot or tract by reason
of such structure and the assessor shall add such
valuation 10 the assessment made on such tract or
loti and in tho Ease OF the destruction OF any
structure from any cause, of over 500 in
value, the value of which has been included in
lot on which it is situate, the the as:
SCISSOR shall determine and make return how
of such destruction, and the assessor shall deduct
the same from the valuation OF such tract or lot
as it stands upon the list: Progtded, That the
assessor of the District of Columbia shall hear
such complaints as may be made III respect OF
said assessment and determine the same between
year. subject 10 the approval OF the commissioners
: of he district.
SEC 10. That IT. the assessor of the district shall
lean that any property liable to taxation has been
omitted from tue assessment for any previous year
years, or has been so assessed that the assess
ment void IL shall be his duty at once TO
such property nreach and every year alter the pass
age of this act for which 1t has escaped assessment
aud taxation, nnd report the same 10 the collector
of taxes, who shall at proceed to collect the
taxes so in arrears MS other taxes are collected:
I PrOuided, That no properly which has escaped
taxation shall be liable to assessment and taxa
ton under this section for a period of more than
three years prior to such assessment.
SEC, Ii. That tho assessor of the district In the
di charge OF nny OF the duties deYulved upon him
or the board of equalization, by any provisions OF
aflrmauons He shall have power TO summon
5 the attendance Of any person before said board.
y or himself TO be examined under oath touching
such matters qnd things ns they or he may deem
: advisable in the DISCHARGE OF their said
duties and any member OF the Metropolitan
police force constable nf the district may serve
. subpmnaS in this behalf Such fees shall bo
the contingent fund of the commissioners, ms are
allowed in civil actions before justices of the
| pence. Any person who shall knowingly make
false oatn or affirmation shall be guilty of perjury,
and, upon conviction thereof, be pnnishe UCcord-
ing to laws in force for the punishment Of PERU y
SEC. To- That this act shall be in force tIom id
after It's passage; and all laws aud parts Of laws
T. consistent herewith are hereby peal d, as also
all laws allowing any deduction of taxes assessed
g., a-ainst any pcrs0n because of payment thereof
within pc iod Of thirty days after receiving ro-
tice that the collector OF taxes Is ready " receive
the taxes assessed.