The Washington critic., 1890-02-20


of tobacco. If anything can relieve a
burlened and suffering people it
will be free tobacco. BY all means let
MS have cheaper cigarettes.
\ BosToN LECTURER named Joseph
Cook, who is a sort of politico-theo-
logical Ishmaelie, and who covets noto.
riety MS the only means within his reach
of becoming known, has recently, in
almost one and the same breath, vouched
for Speaker Reeds visual industry,
penetration and range in regard to Dem
ocrats present in the body but absent in
the VOTE and attacked Henry Grady.
the deceased sentimental crater of the
South. In regard to the former, it may
be said that if Speaker Reed can stand
it the country can; and as to the latter,
the grave of n man who used his gift
TO disarm sectional prejudice and TO
strengthen the Union seems fitting
place for remembering the old Roman
maxim, aH ne m0rtuts ni@ JoRum.
-4
A NEW METHOD DERANDED.
In the last few days THE Critic has
expended considerable labor and de
voted a good deal of space with the
object of putting before the public, in
sufficient detail, the anomalies, in
equalities and oppressive injustice of
the present method of District assess
ment. No reply to its statements, either
in justification or avoidance, has been
attempted. The accuracy Of its figures
has not be impugned, and cannot be,
because they are mainly from official
sources.
THE CRITIC has clearly shown that
as property is now assessed the people
are unjustly compelled to bear an undue
proportion of the city's taxation be-
cause the wealthy do not pay anything
like their fair share, and that citizens
at large pay upon an assessment which
is almost the actual value of their prop
erty while the rich, whose large and
valuable possessions are in the very
heart of the city-the great landowner,
the speculator, the alien or resident
millionaire pay on not more than one
half, in instances not more than one
fifth of the actual value
TIE CRITIC has called attention to
the enormous injustice of this system
and made it manifest that the avoidance
of taxation by one class or number of
citizens is fraud upon the great body
of Taxpayers and believing, as it does,
that fraud can give no real benefit even
10 the defrauder, and that no good eau
ever grow out of injustice, THE CRITIC
now asks, in behalf of the people, for
the abolition of a dishonest aud per-
nicious system and the adoption of a
just, adequate and efficient method.
Besides, The CRITIC is fully per
suaded that an honest system would
benefit all, not excepting the rich prop
erty-owner, not alone because there
can be no lasting disadvantage in a
duty done, but because in this particu
lar matter of assessment, an honest sys.
TEN would Immediately work for the
good of all-rioh and poor together.
The aggregate of taxation would be the
same, but, rateably levied on true as
sessment, the taxes of each individual
rich or poor, would be less than undo
an unequal and capricious system.
As result, TIE CRITIC feels itsel
justified in demanding from the Distric
ia a
sidcration and thorough investigation
Of the whole matter. The members o.
these committees are in great measure
responsible for good deal of the con
tinuOus misgovernment of this District
In all matters of this kind under dis
cussion the only appeal available is e
them. TnE Critic respectfully re
quests their immediate action.
The assessors, in their interviews
admitted the defects of the present Law
and the false valuations made under il
and they despair Of any amendmen
under the present system. II is be
lieved that by the appointment of
board of five salaried assessors--one 70
Georgetown, three for Washington an,
one for the county-who should hav
ample time for their work, inequalitie
would be obyialed and fair AM
equitable assessment would be prepared
A Board of Appeal might be provide,
for by detailing two District officials +
act temporarily with the Distric
Assessor
The whole work should be set aroun
with safeguards insuring the tidelit
and probily of the assessors Tn
CmTIC commends these suggestions {
The District committees, to Congress,
men generally, and to Senator IngalI
in particular. These assessment in
Equities cannot be lightly passed owe
or neglected. The members of tn
District committees will be held +,
sponsible. The facts in the case hay
been brought under their notice, an
their action is now the next thing
order.
Az ON Ri'LE MADE NEW.
An evening paper of February col
tanned statement which It styles 90
New Rule Made by the Commissione
To-day" But on perusing it, the ne
rule would seem TO be an old rule lai
down as long ago rs 1872, but which Il
officials of The District Of Columbia h,
suffered to fall into not 'innocuol
dpepetuda - Tho new rulp is ne fr