The national leader., 1889-02-16
ALEXANDRIA JOTTlNGS.
Regular Cor. OF the NATIONAL LEADER
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Feb. 10Th, ,;


In recent interview with CORE
spondent of the New York Herald
Governor Lee said : 'FThe white popu-
lat1on pays ninety per cent of all taxa
tlon-about that. No matter for what
purpose tax is wanted it comes out of
the whiteman's pocket" Supposing
it true that the colored population pays
but oDe.t tenth Of the taxation, the
above quotation means that the white
population owns abont ninety percent
Of all taxable property. Take Vir-
gina for instance. The census of 1880
gives Virginia $50, ,538 white and $751; :
707 colored Inhabitants. Then, il the
colored population so nearly equals
the white and yet owns but one tenth
of the taxable property 1t follows that
the colored population occupies the
property of the whites. OF course the
colored population pays rental for the
use of this property. On house as
sessed at $500. 900. renting at S. per
month, S72 per year, the state tax Is
81, the city tax about $40, insurance
about 81, repairs S25, and still there
Fremains S31 for the owner, or six per
cent. on his investment. Now, who
pays the taxes and keeps the property
upp Evidently the one who pays the
rent. When the rent payer is colored,
| though the tax comes out of the white
mars pocket, the coloIed man put it
In there. Governor Lee admits that the
colOred population pays One-tenth of
the taxation, and from the above state
ment we estimate three-tenths more,
but does the colored population receive
one-tenth OF all the public money
spent for the benefit of the peoplep Is
1t true that the colOred population is a
burden on the State
| The last meeting OF the Friday
Night Literary Club, was one of the
most satisfactory the Club has had.
There was marked Improvement in the
| behavior of the boys and young men.
! The exercises were opened with prayer
! by the Chaplain, Rev. M. NJ. Carroll,
| followed bV the dispatch Of several
items Of business. The literary pro-
gra" me was begun with selection on
the organ by Miss Carrie Crouch. Mr.
:. S. King then rendered "PitJ's Re-
J w." Mrs. Laura Murray read in an
almost faultless manner Labor IS
Rest" Captain J. F. Norman read an
able and instructive paper entitled
Shadow VS.. SubstaIc9.' The pro-
gramme was interspersed with mus c
by the Literary Qlartette Club, the
singing of which has not been excelled
here for many days. The "wOma suf-
frage" question was opened by Mr.. G..
W. Fremont In strong speech. He
was followed by Mr.. FL. C. Smith, who
dealt vigorous blows In the negative.
The discussion was continued by Mr..
T. Ross and others, The Critic, Mr..
IF. H. M. Murray, read his criticism
which was replete with advice and in
struction. The Budget Box was then
read and the meeting adjourned.
DIR. w. II. Madella has been confined
to his room during the week by an
attack of pneumonia
| The public schools will have holiday
on the 4th of March.
Several of the residents on the ''Hlll"
have seen a ''ghost" near the pump
corner Of Washington and Gibbon
streets. This "ghost'' has held sway
at this point for more than thirty
years.
Hon. A. W. Harris, of Petersburg,
was in the city last week. While here
he sold to Mrs. Mary A. Muir a life
estate in house and lot ON the east
side Of Columbia street, between
Franklin and jefferson. for $3.50.
Miss Fannie Walker, of Baltimore,
is 10 the city visiting her sister. Mrs.
DR.. Madella
The ruling of the Inaugural Com.
mittee, making certain uniform a
prerequisite for civilians who desire
to take part in the inaugural parade,
is said to be the cause Of much com.
plant on the part OF some of the COL
ored people of Washington, as they
are unable to purchase the suits. This
action of the committee is here cordially
commended. Though some good men
will be excluded, yet we will be saved
characterized. the Washington process
slons OF the past, notably the one cole
brating HarrisOn's election.
Mr. Chas. Watson was considered
worse this week.
Mr.. Samuel T. Bowley arrived home
last Saturday night from Fort Miss
oula, Montana. He brought with him
many curiosities, among which is
a hOttle containing sand OF twenty-five
different cOlors. An hour can be most
instructively spent in conversation
with Mr.. Bowley about the scenes
through which he has passed.
Mrs. Emma Credit who has been
quite sick is out again.
The most important event of the
week here was a meeting of about 100
business men to organize a Board of
Trade. Such an organization Is greatly
needed to stimulate the business OF the
city.
The Douglass Library Association
has taken the house on the southwest
corner of st. Assph and Gibbon streets
and will open it in few days with a
took reception. Hon. Frederick Doug
lass will lecture on bis late European
TOUR for the benefit of the Association.
Thursday evening, March 9th, at Lam
mons Opera House. Several distin-
RuIshed men will be present and there
will be music by some of the best vocal