Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-07

glad to have the federal properties within their
midst and not ask the government for cent
Nh. OTIS NOTION DECLARED IN ORDER.
Mr. McRae in the chair ruled that the mo-
tion Of Mr.. Otis was in order, from which
decision Mr.. Henphill appealed
Mr.. Tom johnson of Ohio announced that be
would vote against Mr.. Otis amendment. but
not for the reasons advanced by the committee
He would oppose it because the people of the
District are now unjustly taxed. and some Of the
citizens pay ten times rs much tax as others.
The operation of the amendment would add
greatly to the burdens of a part of the tax
payers. The first step is TO arrive at a proper
basis OF assessment and then discuss what share
the United States should pay
WANTS THE DISTRICT TO PAY EvERYraIxo.
Mr.. De Almond offered as a substitute for
Mr.. Otis amendment a proposition requiring
the District TO pay the whole Of the expenses.
MIR. Breckinridge Of Arkansas opposed any
nasty change In the ratio of payments between
the United States and the District Of Columbia
There has been no consideration of the ques-
uon OF the the intense confusion which would
results rom this change at this time. To pass
this amendment would throw the finances of
the District into serious complications and in
volve the business interests.
Mr.. HxMPHILL ASKS SOME PERTINENT oUrs-
TONS.
adopted in 1878 after careful consideration, and
proportion to change it has been negatived
by every committee sitting since that time
Before any such step IL taken careful consid-
GRAFTON should be given it by commit
tee Of this House. No showing has
been made by the advocates Of the
amendment whether there is money
trict of Columbia to pay three-fourths Of its
expenses What is to become of the fire and
police departments If there is not money enough
to support them?
Do the gentlemen ask that the citizens Of the
District OF Columbia shall pay one-half OF the
bers of Congress?
amount the city should have its
own government and manage its own
affairs. II any one wants a change in the ex-
listing system let him introduce resolution to
investigate the subject and let a committee
carefully consider tho relations OF the District
to the United States.
Mr.. Compton called attention to the fact that
the fee-simple right In every street and side
walk In the city now rests in the federal gov
ernment and yet it is proposed that the govern
ment should not pay I cent for it.
Mr.. DE ARMoND WANTS TO PUSH THINGS.
Mr.. De Almond objected to postponing CON-
sideration Of the question of the relation Of
the District government to the United States
There is no time better than the present He
Columbia should not pay the entire amount for
the support OF the public schools.
Let members OF Congress pay for the tuition
Of their children in this city and not require
the Taxpayers OF the country to pay it. The
government has made this capital and not the
people Of this city. Mr.. De Almond said there
is no town in the Union where the people are
taxed less than the residents OF this city.
Mr. stout Of Michigan was not ready to say
that Mr. Otis amendment is the way to effect
reform, but 1t IS pertinent for this House to
consider the fact that the country may demand
that a less portion of tho expenses OF the Dis
trict shall be paid by the United States.
THE AMENDMENT DEFEATED.
After spending half an hour in endeavoring
to raise u quorum, the vote stood SO yeas and
81 nays. wher,upon Mr.. Otis withdrew his point
feated. The reading Of the bill by sections
then proceeded.
GOING FOR THE BOARD OF REVISION.
Mr.. Tom Johnson Of Ohio offered an amend
ment abolishing the board of revision of tax
assessors August 8, 1892 and declaring void the
reductions Of assessments made by that board.
Mr.. Compton raised point Of order against
it, which was sustained.
Mr.. Johnson then offered as q substitute an
amendment simply abolishing the board of
revision created August 5. 1892.
Mr.. johnson reviewed the work Of the board
of equalization whereby they reduced the as
sessments, taking off something like $50 000, 900,
making bad state of things worse.
Since then board has been organized to still
further reduce assessments. This is for the
purpose of reducing the revenues of the Dis
trict. Further than this the reductions are not
likely to be made equitably.
WHY THE PARTNERSHIP WAS MADE.
Mr.. Bynum Of Indiana said that the present
combination between the government and the
District Of Columbia was effected to relieve
the citizens from municipal government
If the radical change in tine ratio of payments
which is proposed should be made the num-
cipal control and government should be re-
turned to the people. He believed that
this city cannot be kept up except
by the means now in use. II this city is to be
maintained the capital Of the nation with the
dignity which is necessary, the government is
bound to contribute.
This closed the debate on the subject, and
Mr.. De Almond demanded a vote on his sub
stitute requiring the District to pay the whole
OF the expenses. On q rising vote there were
30 yeas and IS nays.
The question required upon Mr.. Otis amend
ment requiring the District to pay three-fourths
of the expenses.
The yeas were 81, nays GO. Mr. Holman of
Indiana voted with Mr.. Otis. The point Of no
quorum was raised by Mr.. Otis and teilers were
ordered.
Mr.. johnson said that what ia needed is not
reduction Of assessment, but an equalization of
assessment. The people are not taxed equally.
Some interests are favored in assessment.
There is q fragrant injustice done. 1t is dis
honest to allow one section of this city to be
assessed only one-tenth Of the real value OF the
property.
Mr.. johnson said the first public utterance of
the board of revision to the effect that they
proposed to defeat the law by reducing assesa-
ments instead of equalizing them.
THE AMENDMENT DEFEATED.
The amendment was defeated without di-
vision.
JUDGE M'COMAS' NOMINATION.