National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-17
ptsr1ucr OF COLUMBIA.

OFFicE OF COMMISSIONERS or THE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA, WASHINGTON, Nov, |, lS8j.-Tne
Distrlct Of Columbia, the seat OF government
Of the United states Is situated on the left
bank OF the Potomac river, log miles from ia
mouth II was provided for as the scat of
government by acts of Congress, approved July
16, 1900, and March 3, 1901, pursuant to the fol.
lowing contained in the eighth section ofthc
first article of the constitution of the United
States, enumerating the powers Of Congress.
ITO exercise exclusive legislation in all cases
whatsoever over such district (not exceeding
ten mil es square) as may, by cession Of particu-
lar states and the acceptance of Congress, be-
come the seat OF the government Of the United
States"
The requisite territory was offered. to the
United States for the purpose by the states OF
Maryland and Virginia, and was located by
proclamation of President George Washington.
March 80, 1901, partly in Maryland and partly
IN Virginia. II was originally ten miles square,
United States Statutes NJ large vol. Q, p. 35t
Of the portion coded by that state, 1t was ro-
dueed 70 its present area OF 200 square. miles.
andria and Washington, respectively, the
former of which included the territory receded
to virginia, leaving the other the only present
county subdivision of the District OF Columbia.
For the purpose of local administration three
municipal corporations were established In the
District, viz, the city OF Wnshngt m, the city
OF Seor,g!es9En, and The levy court Of the county
tons were revoked, and all municipal In the
District cOnhded TO n single government Juno 1,
1871, under the namo of the District of Colum.
bln, by the oct OF Congress OF Feb. q, 1871.
The city of Washington, containing 6,ll0.9i
acres Vhe Federal city, was laid out by direo
ton OF President Washington pursuant TO said
act OF July 10, 1900 on lands purchased from
the propriotors OF the Sites and Is first referred
10 as the city of Washington In the preamble
TO an, net OF the nssennbiy of Maryland of
peos iv, III, lhc, mt local authorities Of
States nrd three commissioners appointed by
the President under said act OF July lG, 1900
they and their SUCCESSORS, who had in general
1902, when the office Of superintendent, having
charge OF public buildings and grounds was
substituted for the commissioners, aad the in.
ha5itants OF The city first Incorporated by. act
ington, with city council elected by the peo.
pie and mayor appointed by the President
The first mayor was appointed in Juue, 1902
the second Monday of June, 1872 whom, by an
act ofCongress of May 4, 1912, the duty Of elect.
Ing the mayor was devolved on the city coun.
ell, and so continued until the first Monday OF
June, 1890, from which date, pursuant 10 act Of
Congress Of May 10, 1890, the mayor was elected
BY the people for terms of two years until Juno
!, 1871, when the charter. OF the corporation
was revoked by act of Feb. 81. 1871 aforesaid
and only its name retained
The.city of Georgetown was laid out pursu.
ant 70 an act OF the province of Maryland
dated May 10, 17bl, and was Incorporated In
1852, and Is generally supposed 90 have been
named In honor Of King George III, the then
reigning sovereign Of Great Britain, Its charter
aforesaid, and only its name retained, as in the
case of the city of Washington.
The levy court of tho county OF Washington
was provided for by act of Congress of March
g. 1901, and under that and subsequent laws
amendntory thereof, managed the local affairs
os that part of the District of Columbia outside
Of the cities Of Washington and Georgetown,
until ~ 700; was abolished, name and all, by
Upon the revocation OF tho charters OF the
cities OF Washington and Georgetown and the
levy court, which took effect June l., 1871, tho
government of the entire District of Columbia
was administered under saidNct of Feb q, 1871,
by governor, board of public works, a board
OF health, legislative assembly consisting Of
a council appointed by the President OF the
United States, ana board OF delegates elected
by the citizens of the District, and represented
III Congress by a DELEGATE to the House of Rep.
Bspt yS elected ns the Szsn so Of the
lures were abolished and the executive an
thority temporarily vested In three commits
sioners appointed by the President of the
United States. The temporary form of govern
ment continued until July |, 1873, when, pur
suant TO act OF Congress of June Il, 1878. 1t was
succeeded by the present form.
The present government OF the District OF
Columbia Is a municipal corporation admins.
tered by a board of three commissioners, two
of whom are appointed from civil life by the
President the United States for term of
three years each, and must have been actual
residents in the District for three years pre-
ceding the appointment without claiming
residence elsewhere during that period and
President ofihe United States from the engineer
corps Of the United States army having lineal
rank above captain. ~. s. Stat: at H. v. 20,
ture in the district, the exclusive Legislative
power being exercised by Congress. The sala-
ries ofthe commissioners are 5000 per annum
in the sum of $50 600 each. One OF. them Is an.
nually chosen by his colleagues to be president
of the board. The commissioners directly or
indirectly, control tho appointment OF all Dis
taches, recorder Of deeds, notares public.
Justices of the peace, and commissioners of
deeds, who are appointed by the President of
The revenues for the support Of the District
government are derived-ffrst, from a tax on
private taxable property and privileges and
from receipts rom miscellaneous private
Congress, required by law to be 80 per cent. OF
the total approved estimates. All revenues of
the District OF Columbia must be paid 70 the
fSa of sHs and Be b h in
they can only be drawn pursuant TO approprla-
tons made by, Congress, upon iLemized vouch-
ers certified by a majority Of the cominls-
~
which is drawn and discussed solely by the
treasurer of. the United States, ex,oflicio com.
missioner of the sinking fund. The accounts
OF the commissioners are settled and adjusted
by the first comptroller OF the United States
treasury.-lU. s. Stats. at Large. 20, 1906 81,
PIP. 162, 690.)
The commissioners make all contracts to
quirements OF lawaA 70 method Of awarding
and accounting for same.
The water supply OF the District. is obtained
from the Potomac river, through conduit
long, which was constructed by the United
States government, and now delivers about
1900, 900 gallons, daily, The large delivery,
small mains at the expense OF private prop.
erty adjoining the streets in which they are
laid, and paid for, " special tax Of "a cents
ebasaed aecordng 10 tbep Snber OF stores
and extent OF frontage. Meters are permitted
70 be used upon request 81 consumers, with q
charge Of one cent per 100 gallons. IN prog
of said aqpeduct, by means OF which the Dis
trietwih have q practically unlimited supply
No special taxes are levied for paving ana
sewering streets and other improvements, OK.
cept for minor sewer services, and onethird
cost Of Improvements and repair OF sidewalks
andplleyg,and forwater mains, all other public
works being paid for out OF the general fund.
Public buildings and grounds OF the United
States here are provided, for by appropriations.
by Congress nom the United States treasury,
with. which the District government, has
nothing to do. ..., 80 .-T'
The'debt of the District IA under the manage.
ment Of the treasurer of the United States and
amounts to S2l ,279,550.
The laws In force In the District arc derived
from many sources. Much of the law of Mary
land, when that state gave TO the United
States the present territory in the District, was
statutory and common law received from Eng
land which, with all other law then extant
in that state, followed the District, and con-
tinues in forcesin II, except as modified by
subsequent enaetmepts' OF Congress or the
local municipal laws and ordinances, and
orders of the commissioners. Several attempts
have been made.to digest and arrange the laws
In force In manner convenient foraccess and
reference but no codo has been sanctioned by
Congress-, whose approY0iis necessary,
The fiscal year Of the District commences on
tho frat of July of each, year.
The population at present IS 2OS, f5p.
The assessed valuation of real property used
for agricultural purposes Is So $50 1885,