Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-10
DISTRICT DEFENDED
Mr.. Compton Dispels Some Allega-
lions as to Taxable Property.
GOVERNMENT OWNS MORE THAN HALF
Mr.. De Almonds Amendment De-
feated by a Large Majority.
THE RIOUS SPEECHES

After The Stars report of the House pro-
ceedings closed yesterday afternoon Mr..
Springer Of Illinois made an earnest plea in
behalf of the District. During the course
of his remarks he was asked by Mr.. Simp-
son of Kansas If the presence of the seat of
government at Washington does not en-
nance property.
Mr.. Springer.-If the government Of the
United States had refused to sell any public
lands to the people of Kansas, they would
not have been well off they are. If
you going to undertake an equalization
of benefits, consider how much benefit the
people all over the United States have de-
rived from the operations of the govern
ment. We are all indebted to the govern
ment for it's blessings to US; and the people
of this District no more than any other part
of the country.
House on the De Almond line, and drew a
touching picture of his constituents toiling
in the cotton fields of the south eleven
months in the year through heat and frost
to contribute to the grandeur of the Ia
tons capital.
M. Compton, whose speech was briefly
referred to in The Star yesterday, made a
most eloquent and forceful argument in be-
half Of the District He closed his speech
follows:
Mr.. Chairman, / have cited these fact
and this argument simply 20 show the
members of this committee that the ques-
ton Is not new one. that il has been ar
gued fully and ably in both chambers of
Congress of the United States upon more
occasions than one, and that on every occa-
sion the same result has been reached,
namely, that it has been thought just and
proper that the government of the United
States should bear at least one-half of the
burden. But Mr.. Chairman. my friend
from Missouri CMr. De Armond), as l I'M
derstand, disputes the proposition that cne-
half or more than one-half of what would
be taxable property if all the government
property in this District were taxed, be-
longs to the United States. Now, as to
| that my friend is entirely in error.
If l can demonstrate that he is Incorrect
in that, then there is no foundation for his
argument. Now, in view of the fact that
the government of the United States Dos
sesses largely more than one-half the prop
erty in this District, property which. If tax
able. would produce more revenue than that
! which Is derived from the properly pos
seSsed by private citizens, in view Of the
fact that this is federal city, made for the
government and for the home of the gov
eminent in view of the fact THAI this CITY
has been SO laid out and constructed that
no body of people living here could possibly
/ bear the burden and expense Necessary to
maintain 1t on the existing scale and in the
! existing condition, l do not See that MY
friend can, in justice. maintain the doctrine
which he has asserted here.
| Government Property.
| 1 hold in my hand, Mr.. Chairman-and it
| is the most authoritative evidence that 1
| can obtain on this point-a communication
| from the Office of the assessor of the Dis
! trict of Columbia, dated March ., 1884, sent
to me in response to an inquiry which L
made the other day.
| Office of the Assessor, District of Columbia
| Washington, March =, 1884
! Dear Sir: In compliance with your verbal
request Of yesterday, l have the honor to
/ submit the following statement complied
from the records of this office:
Taxable real estate in the Dis
trict of Columbia. .............. Sl9l, Az SO4
United States property non-tax-
able ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 19S.U5S l39
| District Of Columbia property
non-taNable ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1868 SO
Other exempt property.......... 9,I46U29
| Total non-taxable property. 2ll, ljT 9SS
Showing the percentage Of each as fol-
| lows:
Per cent
United States. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ~. -
District OF Columbia. 81
other exempt roperty................... 2.3i
400
| Very respectfully,
| MATTHEW TRIMBLE,
| Assessor. District of Columbia