Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-01
s2.9O7,3l4.96

L,0I,3l4.S6
go, 207.01 Of this amount was in drawback
certificates and ss60.3s in erroneously issued
tax liens.
ARREARS OF GENERAL TAXES.
The amount Of uneollected general assess
ments for the years subsequent to 1872 appear
ing on the collectors books is S712,S1344 OF
this amount $479, 26l.79 ia ON realty and $685.
65l.65 on personal property.
A large portion Of the personal arrearages
account is uncollectable, because in many In
stances the persons charged have died, re-
moved from the District, retired from business
or have no attachable assets. Much Of the ar
rearage Of the realty tax is due to the inten-
tionai neglect Of taxpayers, based upon the
general impression that all tax titles are vul-
nerable. The Commissioners have several
times endeavored to obtain legislation that
would enable them to give good title to pur-
chasers mt tax sales At the last session of
Congress they prepared and submitted draft
of a bill (H.R. 1858, Senate 2452) to accomplish
this purpose, which was introduced, but not
enacted.
Special assessments The amount Of 8 per
cent certificates outstanding June 80, $780, was
S57 $50, and the amount Of special assessmen t.
the proceeds Of which are pledged to the re-
demption Of said certificates, $176, 282. 81
There were also outstanding at that date spe-
clal assessment lien certificates, issued by the
late board OF public works, amounting TO
$61, 1869.
Compulsory permit assessments.- Assess
ments amounting to $40, 223 SO have been made
under the act OF July 9, 1885. and subsequent
Of making special improvements, chargeable
in certain proportions to the general fund and
to the property abutting the line of the work.
Thirty.One thousand two hundred and thirty
two dollars and thirteen cents Of this amount
has been collected.
Drawback cartifc.ta. n. <...r ,..~. -,
drawback certificates issued during the year
WAS S67 1910, principally under acts Of Feb
ruary IL, 1889, and June 2, 1890.
Special assessments against street railroads.
The special assessments charged against the
street railroads for street improvements made
contiguous to their tracks, under contracts Of
the Late board OF public works, have been can
celed In pursuance Of q decree of the Supreme
Court Of the United States that the suit brought
TO enforce the collection Of the same was barred
by the operation OF the statute Of limitations.
Helevy OF invalidated assessments.- Many
general and special assessments have
been invalidated by judgments Of the Supreme
Court, in consequence Of technical irregulari-
ties in the proceedings in levying the same
such a. defective description Of property and
these levies was equitabfy chargeable there
with, and should be compelled to bear this Just
burden by being subjected to a reassessment
With that object in view the Commissioners
prepares and submitted TO Congress at the last
session H. II. bill 1856, which was not passed
They urge its enactment during the coming
session, and that the principle be made appli-
cable to all judgments and decisions in this re-
spect not made upon the merits of the case.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public schools have had year Of pros
perity, having increased proportionally with
the growth Of population Of the city and Dis
trict. These nre 30 distributed throughout the
District that all who desire may be benefited
by them, night schools being provided for
those unable 10 attend the day schools. The
appreciation in which our people hold the
schools is shown in part by the attendance
thereon: More than IL per cent, or more than
One-sixth Of the entire population Of the Dis
trict, attend these schools some time during
the year. During the year ended June go
1890. there we're enrolled in the day schools
81. s06 pupils, OF whom 1854 we're white and
2, 49,, OF whom ,160 were white and 1,272 col
ored. There were II ,SI1 boys and 19, 595 girls
This army Of pupils were taught by 7s9 teach
ers, Of whom Biz were white and 274 colorcd.
The amount paid TO these teachers was $751;
59l :46, Of which y, 80 was paid to teachers Of
night schools.
The schools are managed by Q board Of
trustees nine in number, six OF whom are white
and three are colored. The trustees Justly
pride themselves on the prosperity and eff
cheney Of the schools, and especially on the fact
that to all persons alike il furnished the oppor-
tunity to obtain good common school educa-
ton.
Congress, actuated by broad views Of citizen
ship, has been liberal in the support Of schools.
The Commissioners believe none too much 80,
however, and ask continuance Of the same
liberal treatment. -
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department has continued during