The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-07-11

7. ". kALBFUS..........s'.s'' '.s''..s........faphsne,
wAsUINGToN;::s:::::; II, 1856
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.
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Is destroyed.
The Centennial Of the Constitution Il
likely to find us with less efficient Navy
in proportion TO wealth and population, than
we had at the close of the War of Indepen'
denoe. All on account Of ECONOMY"
In the matter of the sale Of District prop
erty for the purpose Of supplying school
needs, the Commissioners act like the bank
rupt who has to sell his property and ca,
into his small capital TO pay current ex
penses.
The Exposition Committee Is doing good
work. Favorable responses have been re-
.o,r.l f.o,, ,,ao rly avory Sf "a a nd Tarr;torv
As THR SUNDAY HERALD was the first journal
in the country to propose the International
Exposition of 1889, 1t feels good accordingly.
A friend for whose opinion We have great
respect says The HERALD favors too liberal
appropriations. In reply We say that The
HERALD is in favor of each and every appro-
priation that will benefit the District of Co.
lumbia. II that be treason, TnE HERALD
pleads guilty on each and every count.
The Commissioners of the District deserve
the thanks of the community for their inces-
SAINT labors before Congress in behalf of Dis.
trict interests. Never until now has the
act requiring appointments to the Office Of
Commissioner TO be made from bona tide
residents of the community been apprs.
ciatsd.
We had much rather see the Potomac
Harbor improvement in the Sundry Civil
bill than in the heavily weighted River and
Harbor bill, because we fear the latter will
never receive the Presidential approval. Tt
make assurance doubly sure, the Senate
should add this improvement to the Sundry
Civil bill.
There seems but one way TO get the Rivel
and Harbor bill out of the valley of the
shadow of death. That is, to provid,
lump sum, and place the responsibility
for its proper expenditure on the Presiden
or the Secretary of War. As for the Potomac
Harbor improvement, we repeat, put it or
the Sundry Civil bill.
We are pleased to see that The SUNDAY
HERALD has so able an ally as the National
Republican in the discussion of the gas
question. In an editorial in the Republican
Of Thursday last it is recommended that the
Government purchase the plant and fran
chisss of the Gas Company "upOn a fair
"basis." This is what The HERALD has ad.
vocated for years.
The Department of Justice has asked
through Assistant Attorney Ben. Wilson,
for small appropriation to enable the
Government properly to defend the two thou
sand cases arising under the French Spoila.
tions act. This appropriation is essential to
the proper presentation of the evidence in
cannot, however, be regarded as a deficiency,
but should find place on the Sundry Civil
bill.
We would like to see light as free az
water. Washington has the nearest ap-
try. This is because the United States has
control Of the supply. The like wonld bs
the case II the Government should take pos.
session Of the gas plant in the District, and
furnish consumers with gas at cost. But
because We favor cheap gas, at the cost ol
manufacture, we do not propose to ooniscate
private property for that end, even If it is
owned by so-callei "bloatsd monopoly"
What is the use of selling the little prop
bring, and then being compelled. in all prob
ability TO buy some OF it back in the future :
The purpose is to apply the proceeds to the
purchase of sites for schools and the erection
Of school buildings. This ia square admis
sion of the necessity for new school build
ings. This necessity should bs provided
for by an appropriation sufficient for the
purpose, and the District should hold ON to
what little property it has.
The bill proposed by the Senate commit
tee providing for fixing the price of gas at
one dollar per thousand feet, with sliding
scale TO be advanced on the testimony OF gas
officials, is sorry makeshift. 1t is an ad-
facts sufficient TO enable it to say what
should be the price OF gas. Having con-
fsssed their ignorance, the committee had
DeItsr got out oI the uIIonuIa ~ viIy
possible way left. That is, provide for the
purchase of the gas plant by the Govern.
msnt at price to be agreed upon, or, that
failing, then by arbitration.
The small number Of bills of District inter
est passed by Congress- this session, the large
number OF such bills reported favorably by
committees Of the Senate and House, and
the still greater number of such measures
which are still In committee, should admon-
ish our citizens, both official and private,
that to get anything from Congress requires
active and persistent work. There is no use
crying over the past, but We can learn the
lesson that experience has taught, aud II
We profit by II and begin the fight for Dis
triot interests before the annual estimates
are made up, and then commence the fight In