The Washington critic., 1890-04-04
THE DISTRICTS SHARE

The gratitude of the citizens of the
District of Columbia is due to Senator
Sherman and other Senators who pro-
tested against throwing upon the people
of this District half the cost of the
Geological Park, which, if it comes into
existence, will be creation of Congress
and will be wholly under the control
and management of the National Gov
ernment. 1t is high time that the prac.
tice were discontinued of attempting in
every case in which national improve
ment is proposed within the District to
put half the burden on helpless com
munity which can have little influence
in originating it and no voice whatever
in its direction.
Senators Sherman, Cullom, Ed
munds and Hawley were both fair and
logical in the positions they took.
There is no reason why the District
should be called upon to pay one dollar
toward the establishment or main
tenance of the National Geological Park
at Rock Creek. 1t would be quite as
reasonable to saddle it with half the
yearly expenditures of the Smithsonian
Institution. incidentally, the people
of the District, being near the location
of the Smithsonian and the Museum,
have easier and more frequent access
to those important places of scientific
research and illustration than persons
at greater distance. Nevertheless,
they are not for the District as Dis
trict institutions They are National in
character. So with the 100. Incl.
dentally, it would benefit the people of
the District, but ii is National in de-.
sign and is intended for the good of
the whole people.
The only speech In the debate which
was out of key was that of Senator
Plumb. The Kansas Senator is of the
opinion that the Government has been
very generous to this District. 1t puz.
Zles us to see how or why. Perhaps if
Senator Plumb were again to look more
carefully at the matter he also would
be puzzled to see how or why. The
tax x-paying obligation of the District in
its relation to the General Government
has been explained so often that to re-
peat il seems work of supererogation.
But the fact is, that though the District
pays half of all expenditures, the Gov
eminent owns more than half the prop
eriy. In the common way of every day
life the Government depends upon
police protection and the maintenance
of ordinary municipal order, just like
any other body which has located itself
within the District. When, therefore,
the Government pays half the expendi
lures, it pays no more than its share.
The District always pays its full share.
We do not see where the generosity OF
which Senator Plumb talks comes in,
and, If II comes to that, we don't be-
lieve that he understands the matter
at all.
A feeling of WEAKNESS results when
these things have to be so often reiter.
ated. The conditions of the District to.
day are conditions which the Govern,
ment created. 1t virtually acEnowl
edged its ownership of the largest ant
most valuable property in the District
and, in lieu of taxes, accepted as it
share one-half of the annual burden
This may be just arrangement, bu
where is the generosity? As for the
care OF the squares, reservations and
parks the Government owns them and
will not delegate its care to any one. Il
has exclusive right in them, which de
wolves upon it exclusive duty Before
his next speech Mr.. Plumb should
study his matter more thoroughly.