Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-06

half the District would donate, making the
total Sf,6S6- 1t would take about eight
trees for that side Of the block and supposinR
curbins had to be done according to regula-
tons before plantins) about $40 feet at S1.25
per foot would amount 20 s4l250 say eight
trees then would cost the remainder, 81 ,243. so,
or Sl55.A per head. OF course it is not
claimed that the District engineer figured on
that basis, but it being all the improvements
requested an explanation is respectfully
solicited.
There are blocks in this city where public
Improvements far exceed those asked for on
this block and where the private improvements
cannot at all compete with those in this block.
In this connection il would be well to mention
trisrSular portion of property within the
CITY limits between 7th and 18th streets and
Florida avenue and street (although wonder
fully improved the last few years. entirely
without trees. Trees as long as they are lawful
IN this city ought not to be denied to property
where the improvements demand them, and
should precede all others, for the simple reason
that II takes them a long time TO grow, espe-
cIslly scme species.
Hoping that this will be given careful con-
sideration and the wishes of the property hold
ers if possible complied with without cost, as
they are now paying taxes partly for value not
received.
Mr.. Bower objected to that part of the letter
which mentioned trees. characteriZng it as
ride llous. for he said he had made applica-
ton Cor trees and had been given enough for
EeigIbors and himself free of expense. That
part Of the letter stricken out and the bal
ance of 1t was accepted.
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.
Mr.. Ki,leen then rose to speak of the railroad
question. lie told of what was being done in
othe- cities. He fret spoke of the tunnel in
the city of Baltimore and then referred to the
Reading road in Philadelphia. where he said he
l. H.,
in the employment of watchinen. According
10 his information he said the city employed
the watchmen and fixed their compensation,
the railroad company footing the bills.
lie knew from personal experience that
such was the case in the state of
Illinois and he for one would like to know why
II could not be done in the District of Colum-
biE- He then proceeded to argue in favor of
suffrage for the District and said in event of the
people here becoming citizens they could regu-
late rallroa q matters in a manner that would
prevent SO many killings. When suffrage in
the District as abolished he said. the popula-
uon was largely made up Of colored persons
from the south. Then they were ignorant and
there was trouble, but now that they have be-
come educated they are good citizens and suf
irage now would not be what suffrage was
shortly after the close OF the war.
AGAINST SUFFRAGE.
Air. King took the floor in opposition 10 the
position taken by Mr.. hilleen on the suffrage
question. He said that at present one-half Of
the Districts expense. onc-half of the tax
was paid by the general government. and that
fac. alone Is inGucement TO outsiders. If
mirage were restored the government of the
United States, he imagined, would 10 longer
pay that part of the tax, but it would fall upon
the citizens.
Then" said Mr. Eileen, chats all right
would rather pay double the taxes and be an
American citizen. If l am paying $50 now, I
am willing to pay 800 il suffrage is given to
the people of the District, and l would like to
nsk the gentleman ii he would not be willing TO
pay the additional sum for the privilege of be-
coming an AmeSican citizen
Ar. Chsppell here reminded the gentlemen
hat the question Of suffrage was not question
Tor the association, and he thought that as the
needs Of the northeast were numerous and
would occupy the entire time Of the associa-
ton. discussion OF the suffrage problem, at
tois time would do nothing more than TO create
disputes and disagreernents.
These remarks ended the discussion, AID after
the transaction of further routine business the
meeting rliourpa1