The Washington critic., 1886-12-03
WASHINGTON CRITIC
WASHINGTON, DECEMDER 0, 1855.
JUSTICE WANTED.


South Washington Tax-Payers Detail
Their Grievances.
The South Washington people have
started in earnest the fight for popular
representation on the board of local
rulers. At meeting of the committee
Of one hundred taxpayers at the JEFF
forson School building last night the
following preamble and resolutions
were adopted:
NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
Whereas, the principle Of "home rule" in
purely local affairs Ia recognized by all en-
lighiened governments as the only just aud
proper rule, and especially so In republic
like ours; and
Whereas, the present government OF this
District deprives the taxpayers and citizens
Of all voice In the control or management
of their own local affairs; aud
Jvhere1s, under the operation OF the pres
ent plan for several years past, great dis
elimination aud injustice to large sections
Of the District has been the result; there
fore, be 1t
Rcsolvod, That we favor such change
OF the District government as will secure
at least one representative from each OF the
principal sections or divisions of the Dis
Of said representatives, or commissioners,
excepting the engineer commissioner,
should be property holder In and a resi-
dent Of the section or division from which
he is or may be appointed, to the end that
taxpayers may have voice In the manage
ment of their purely local affairs, such as
schools, street improvements, and the like.
1nd be 10 further rcsOiUcd. That, fer the
purpose Of the more fully developing the
details OF these resolutions, a committee of
three be appoiniei, one of which, the chair
man Of this meeting, shall be chairman to
meet similar committees from other sections
Of this District.
THE EXISTING ABUSES.
Reports of the committees appointed
at the previous meeting to investigate
alleged abuses were made by the chair
man and adopted. 1t was shown that
the water supply for the locality west
of Tenth street, between B street south.
west and the river, was very defective,
and that a 10-inch main was needed on
Twelfth street southwest The section
south of + street aud east of Four. and
a'half Is poorly lighted.
Many of the sewer pipes are too
small to accommodate the sewage
Roots have penetrated those laid on
Eleventh street, as well as in other
localities, impairing their usefulness.
Many streets are badly paved. b street
should be extended to Fifteenth, Fifteenth
to Water and Water to Fifteenth aud Vir-
ginia avenue to the Monument. The "Dl-
vision" is great drawback to South Wash
ington, and its suppression Is urged. 1t is
recommended as q suitable location for
needed public buildings.
The report on the steam railways re-
hearses the story of the occupation of the
streets, describes tho abuses of privileges
granted the railways, the danger and In
Convenience to the residents from the con-
stant shifting of CARS and arrives at the
conclusion that the people OF South WASH
ington do not have The protection guaran-
teed the other sections 1t is recommended
that ltg's'ation be urged con6ning the
freight business Of the B. and z. Company
to one locality.
The meeting, which was large and har-
monious one, was presided over by Mr.. @.
B, Church, president of the committee
Tie South Washington taxpayers are
lopeful that much good will result from
their efforts.