Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-09
THE DISTRICT GovEnxuESr ruLL.
4 Close Vote On 10 il she Soush wash.
ingt0n Association.

i THE DECIDING vOTE-A PROPOSITION TO cYNsrRE
THE RAILROAD COMMITTEE LAID on TIE TABLE
Amid the clanking Of switching freight cars and
the puf1ng and snorting OF locomotives beneath
the windows OF Potomac Hail. at the corner OF 18th
1 street and Maryland avenue last night. DR.. X B.
Donaldson called TO order the meeting OF Citizens
! Association No. 1. There were eighteen men,
bers present at the opening OF the meeting which
| was stated BY the president to be called for the
consideration OF the bill reported by the select
| Committee TO the Committee OF One Hundred the
object OF which is to change the form of govern
ment OF the District The designations OF Messrs.
A. H. stephenson and Geo. White, as members of
he association, were read and accepted.
TIE RAILROAD QUESTION.
| Mr. r. y. Dryer introduced a resolution setting
forth that In view Of the fact that the problem of
| relieving the southwest section OF the city from
the railroad nuisance had been left to the Commit
tee OF one Hundred. and that the committee al
tnougn given opportunity for hearing before the
senate Distrlct committee, failed TO improve the
opportunity, and has done nothing whatever,
the association No should now take back the
care OF the hight or else leave the railroad alone in
| It's glory.
The chairman thought that 1t would be better
10 give the subcommittee in charge OF the matter
chance to do something.
ats about time for them to do something!r In.
errupted Mr.. Dwyer.
"Yes." continued DR.. Donaldson, 'but I think
they have good excuse, and that they will soon
show signs OF activity Let US wait before passing
such resolution OF censurer
u leei Just as badly, perhaps, toward this rail-
rOau subcommittee as any one else said the Sec
etary Dut II Is only fair for US hear from their
report before we censure them. / do not believe
That their failure to be at the Capitol that day
committee
Dr. Allen gave an account of the experience of
Ine coHInlttee at the Senate, and In speaking OF
the presence OF Mr.. Weller, OF the southeast sec
Ton, az the time, he remarked: Nobody from
ton"
After considerable railroad discussion the reso-
iutioh was laid on the table for two weeks.
TEE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT BILL
1he secretary then read the text OF the COM
mittee's bill TO change the form OF government,
and Mr. G. W. Barker moved that the association
adopt It.
DIR. Allen defended the measure in unqu lifted
terms. He said: Il believe that nfneteen-tweD-
teths of the people OF this District are opposed 10
tne present form and administration OF the gov
eminent here. 1 believe that even the gentleman
VINO presented minority report TO the hundred
Is dissatisfied. There are several reasons for the
proposed change. In the first place the engineer
theory and practice. The engineer should be
subordinate TO instead OF coordinate with the
other Commissioners You know what kind OF
men they have been In the past ard what they
nave DONE Another defect Mt present Is in the
number OF Commissioners. No one is responsible;
each one sinks behind the others and II any,
thing goes wrong no one win assume the RESPONSE
biity. Up TO the present time this section OF the
city has never been represented On the Board Of
commissioners, and it never will, and that Is why
we have never had any RELIEF from the railroads.
There are just enough social influences bearing on
the White House TO keep the two appointments
that the President makes located III the West End.
Under the present rule the executive body is also
legislative, which is wrong. Laws are made
among and by The Commissioners In secret. This
will be avoided by the open sessions OF the coun-
Gil. Look at the job that passed Congress recently,
aIpropriating $4,000 for an iron bridge across
WOodley Lane. Just because some one with In
fluence somewhere owns lots In that direction
"'Yes." said Mr. Dwyer, "but under the council
would
Exactly" responded Dr. Alien. hastily out
ne went on, correcting himself, .leJ it cost that,
II we only have council to appropriate II. Every
thing is going on swimmingly, 1t is said our pub
lie schools were never in such efficient shape they
claim But to-day there are children who have
been Ion two 10 four years in school who cannot
read or write properly yet. The Commissioners
have gradually absorbed power; they have reduced
the number OF appointed officers about thirty, but
withal they have not saved the District a cent"
He then introduced resolution approving the
bill.
aR. PErry's VIEWS
81 remember well,r remarked Mr.. j. IL. Petty,
''the inception OF this association, and we GER
tainly did have in view any such action as this
We had In mind the anaconda length OF railroad
that Kills our progress; our want OF sewers and lots
of other Ills that are keepingus back We have had
a one-man rule here, and council, too and it was
that which brought this railroad here, that has
kept us fighting ever since. oh, yes, remember
the times when we had mayor and q legislature,
when everybody who he'd the ill-luck to work for
the District were paid Ia certificates that were
Or.a
when our public-school teachers had 10 20 six
months without pay, when Mr. Corcoran drew his
check 10 pay them. Those were good times, in
deed, and Dr. Allen, II seems, would like to have
them back. What do We want to change back
for. We do not lack for money credit Is good;
does DR. Alien know about the secret sessions and
the law-:naking OF the Commissioner? Did some
one tell him or did he ind ont for himself: We
have got the best government the District ever
enjoyed, and beiye In letting wellenough alone"
Mr.. rHoIrsoN TALKS
II am totally opposed 10 any change" said Sec
Rotary Thompson. when you compare what the
| present form has done With that done by the old
mayoralty you ought TO agree with me. We have
every reason to be proud OF our progress The
people would not have any more voice in the seec-
ton Of the council than they do now. 1t would all
be- in the hands Of the President. Just consider
for afnoment the great crowd OF applicants for
District appointments; think OF the mob that
would beSiegr the White House for positions on the
board OF councilmen! understand that the Pres
ident has said that he has more trouble with the
District appointments than with any other"
After some further discussion, much OF which
was devoted 10 the railroads and the memories OF
the palmy days OF the Board OF Public Works, Mr.
4. ii. Parker introduced o resolution LAYING DR.
Aliens on the table, and instructing the delegates
Of Association No. To the Hundred TO vote against
the measure whenever IL should be presented. This
was lost, eight In favor and twelve against.
THE PRESIDENT DECIDES THE QUESTION
Then Dr. Aliens resolution was read again and
the vote taken. The result was announced to be
nine in the affirmative and nine in the negative
1.-The president has the casting vote" cried Mr.
Petty.
"Then / vote no." sOlemny exclaimed Dr. Don
aldsOn land declare the motion lost"
Il think that one OF the gentlemen voting in the
affirmative was not counted" claimed one OF the
supporters OF the BILL referring TO person VINO
had risen just after the secretary had finished
counting the ayes
II counted every man, said the secretary
"Let US have u fair vote, cried several In the
rear OF the room.
Il claim. Mr. President, that that gentleman is
not member OF this association" said Mr. Parker
Il am prOperty-holder In south Washington
and have right TO vote, returned the gentle
man ia question, with some asperity.
At this there were cries OF "That don't make any
difference" Enrol him. until the President
called for order and explained that no one could
vote In such a meeting who was rot a bona f1de
member OF the association, and finally declared the
| ball disapproved by Association No. 1.
The meeting then adjourned for TWO weeks,
The Public Printers InfOrmerS.
! he REFUSES TO GIVE TO THE HOUSE PRINTING con-
A1rTEE THE NAMES OF PERSONS FROM WHOM
HE GOT PRryATE INFORMATION ARoUr THE EN-
PIoYEs OF THE OFFICE.
The cTOsS-examination OF Mr.. Benedict was con-
tinued before the House printing committee yes
| terday. In answer TO Mr. Gallingers questions he
! acknowledged that he had authorized the use OF
| his name, Tor reference only I'm a circular nd