Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-09
DISTRICT MON Ely
Continued from Ninth Page.)


the Union and find generally the same state
OF things. Let me state one further fact.
There are 1o3 places in that list. In 81 Of
them the rate of taxation is higher than in
the city of Washington, and l think there
Is no exemption of any property from tax
alton in any of them though there may be
In some. In five places the rate is lower
than in Washington, and in one it is the
same. In a large number of the states
there is poll tax. In some of the states
there is an income tax. This rate of 81 80
on the 800 in the city of Washington. and
81 on the 500 of valuation outside of the
city and within the District of Columbia,
includes all the taxes that are levied upon
the citizens here by virtue of his owner
snip of property. OF personal property
there is exempt from taxation 500. In
Washington the city tax is the total tax.
In these other cities and towns the people
pay state, county, city, school. and other
taxes.
Assessed and Actual Values.
Now, as to the comparison as to assessed
values and actual values, that is always
a difficult thing to arrive at. 1 will. how
ever call the attention Of the committee to
a few things stated in a report submitted
to this House iE the last Congress by the
special committee of which the gentleman
from Ohio CIr J1hnson) was chairman.
In that report it is stated that after the
assessments had been raised in consequence
assessed at not above A per cent of its
value, and as to property in the country
the report says after quoting some figures
with which l will not incumber the Record:
This shows that the inequalities in the as
sessments of the county are very great,
and property now stands assessed at a
81 eat deal less than one-tenth of its real
value These conclusions are arrived at by
this committee as the result of their in
designations of this particular subject in
this particular District and have been re-
ported to this House, and the report print
ed as public document"
Mr.. Cobb's Pertinent Suggestion.
Mr.. Cobb suggested that las long as eX-
listing conditions remain in this respect.
that is. that the Congress shall, as it does
now. legislate exclusively for this District,
crght not that to be taken into considera-
ton in the question of levying and collect
ing taxes? viii you give these people
rothing in compensation for the fact that
they have no representation? Ought not
taxation and representation to go together
always?"
Mr.. De Almond said: "Yes and 1 want
them TO go together The gentleman did
rot follow me when 1 said a moment ago
that wish to give TO these people the right
of representation and the right to levy their
own taxes, and to pay their own taxes, in
stead of the people of the United States
paying half for them. But in depriving
tfem of local representation and local self
upon wrong and compel the people of the
United States to donate to them two and
a half millions of dollars annually. ! think
both things are wrong, but two wrongs do
not make one right
Continuing he said: "Now, this is no in
significant saving, Mr.. Chairman, which L
propose 1t is not matter of few hun
dreds of dollars. 1t IS not a question or
neither some clerk shall get 800 more or
so less. 1t is matter of millions. The
amount that the people of the United States
pay out yearly on account of the expendi-
lures of this District would pay the salaries
of the President of the United States, the
Vice President, every member of the Su-
preme Court, every cabinet officer. and all
the members of the Senate and House of
Represen tatves for whole year. 1t would
build a $4,000 court house in each of 100
counties anywhere in the Union. 1t is an
immense sum. Mr.. Chairman. when you
come to consider il. 1t is about 5000
year to the people of each congressional
district represented in this House"
Mr. Morse's Opposition.
Mr. Morse of Massachusetts opposed
the proposition in the bill to erect an engine
house on the reservation at the intersec-
ton of Ohio avenue, 18th and C streets
northwest. for the reason that it would
wipe out the Mission Chapel located there.
Mr.. Morse had picture of the chapel.
which lie wanted to insert in the Record,
but objection was made to that
Mr.. Wheeler of Alabama made an ex-
tended plea for increases in the appropria-
lions for charitable purposes. and with
this the consideration of the bill closed for
the daV