The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-06
FORTRESS MONROE.
The Anomalous Conditions Prevailing
There-The Fight In Congress.


There-The Fight In Congress.
4 dispatch from Washington in the
New York Herald Of yesterday, says:
A lively fight, affecting the interests Of
the hotels at Fortress Monroe, is likely
10 occur i'm the House when the FOrtfica-
ton Appropriation bill is taken up for
consideration. after the Hawaiian debate
shall have ended. Although the bill car
ries but S22l96jl for objects Of coast de-
fence-a sum deemed by many to be too
small-the trouble is not apt to arise from
that fact or from any of the regular
features Of the bill. but from a special
provision in it authorizing the c0nstruc-
ton Of a sewerage system at the Fortress
and requiring the civil and business resi-
dents of that popular resort 70 bear their
prOportionate share of the expense OF
construction and maintenance, as well
as Of the future improvement Of the
place otherwise.
This item vitality affects the growing
non-military population at Old Point
Comfort in way that makes them
squeal aloud I'm anticipation. and the
light which a public discussion is sure
70 throw upon the peculiar, even extra
ordinary. state of affairs existing there
will doubtless induce most people 90
open their eyes wide i'm establishment.
The truly anomalous conditions prevail
Ing at Old Point Comfort are set forth
clearly I'm an interesting report recently
made I'm obedience To orders of the War
Department by Captain g.. W. Davis. or
the Fourteenth infantry The civilians
there pay no taxes and do not vote. and
I'm other respects the non-mntary village
or community at Fortress Monroe, Cap
tain Davis points out, has little more
concern for the laws OF the United States
or Of the State of Virginia. i'm w...ch it
Is eeoeraphicaliy situated. than have the
Inhabitants of 30 Mans Land for the
laws OF Kansas or Texas
For several years the throng Of pleasure
and health seekers frequeniing the big
hotels located there has greatly exceeded
the military force, at times outnumber-
ing IL many fold. At the last report the
Government force numbered only so
nersons while the civil residents and
occupants Of the private buildings num-
bered 26lG. sometimes swelling TO ten
thousand and twelve thousand The
strictly military character Of the place
has therefore well-nish disappeared IN
its stead having grown mp dazzling
and fashionable watering place ana SAM
,orium. The investment OF private cap
ital on the military lands approNimaies
e. O00e0. Stlll the Government pays the
totol expenses for road and street main
tenance and for fire and police protection.
,rha influence Of the properly interests
alone has been so powerful as 10 secure
the building Of a splendid wharf az an
oNnensa 10 the Government OF $4,000.
This wharf was not needed for public
ree NJ all and the sole beneilciaries the
rrivate business concerns and transporta-
lion interests at the Point, refuse even
IA nav the cost Of ordinary current wear
and tear upon u.
What is most important Of all, perhaps,
&c the fact lately developed by litigation
before the Circuit Court IN Virginia that
bv the admission Of these non military
residents 10 the occupation or pubic
lands at the Fortress. the government
has seriously ieopardlzed It's utle to
portions Of those lands.
Moreover these civilian residents are
in practice exempted from many OF the
duties and responsibilities OF citizenship,
especially the payment OF taxes ana
consequently they are permitted 70 ENJOY
in all lines of business and trade undue
advantages over all competitors In the
neichboring towns Of Hampton, Newport
News Portsmouth. and Norfolk.
Summing ND his observations, Captain
Davis states that his study has con-
WINGED him that either the watering place
AZ old Point must be broken up abso-
lutelv. as purely military considerations
undoubtedly demand, or else that the
civil residents and benehciaries must be
required 10 contribute 20 a general fund
for such expenses as necessarily accrue
bv reason OF their presence. somewhat
after the manner now pursued at other
military reservations, notably az West
Point.