The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1895-03-01
UNIQUE CITY GOVERNMENT.
At the National Capital the City Treas
ury is not at the Mercy Of Politicians

vestigation Of the I4exow commit
tee in regard to corruption il the
municipal government in New
York city has called general at
tention to the government of cities
throughout the country. In some
cities, though associations of pri-
vate individuals and through the
press, some steps have been taken
to protect the most glaring of the
evils which oppress the residents
of the average cities. It's but nat
ural that at this time, owing to the
awakened public interest in this
direction, that there should be con-
siderable attention directed to the
form of city government which
prevails at the nations capital.
Perhaps the most striking result,
and the one which perhaps would
commend itself most thoroughly to
practical minds, is that such a very
large PERCENTAGE of the money con-
tributed by tax payers is expended
directly for the benefit Of the city.
As it is perhaps we'll known, that
the people of Washington have no
voice directly in their loca, govern
ment, The city is located in ter
ritory some six miles square, which
was ceded in the United States by
the state of Maryland, for the pur-
pose of establishing there the seat
Of government. Congress has ex-
elusive jurisdiction over this terri
tory and holds the relation Of COM
mon council to the citizens Of
Washington, The form Of govern
ment is by three commissioners,
two from civil life and one from
the army, who are appointed by
ii 9 president by and with the adj
vice of the senate. The appoint
ment Of the minor officials Of the
district government is entrusted to
the commissioners.
All the laws for the government
Of the district are passed by Con
gress, but the commissioners are
authorized to make the police reg
ulations, the building regulations
and the other minor regulations
which are found necessary. The
money collected from the rent O
real estate, from liquor license, tht
personal tax and for privileges 0
| various kinds known as licenses
is paid into the Uuited States treas
ury, under the law which establish
| ed this form of government. Th'
| United States is pledged to pay on
half of the municipal expenses 0
| the District. The annual revenue 0
! the District is about $3,000,000 ant
this is. supplemented BY u similar
/ amount from the United States
Treasurer.
Congress passes each year what
is known as a district appropriation
1 bill, which provides for the various
expenses of the city. OH the basis 0
gross expenditures Of about $4,000
1000. The division Of the burder
of expense Of the District govern
ment was fixed upon because it wa'
found that the value Of The United
States property in the city was
about SO per cent, Of the valuation
of the entire prope rty, compared
with the valuation oftaxable prop
erty, owned By private individuals
1 the property Of The United States
/ and that of the district itself, ant
Of all other exempt property, wal
more than SO per cent.
/ In order to give some idea 0
i how the large sum Of $6, 100000 i
/ expended yearly for the running
expenses of the city government a
the National Capitol some of tn
principal items are given. TIL
| largest item in this expenditure j
the one to meet the interest on th
debt which now amounts to abou
/ S1S,000,000, and the sinking fun,
| charges total annual expenditur
of more than $1,5O0,O00. In ad
| dition more than 100000 is spen
on street improvements; over $942
900 for the public school, while tn
police department cost more thai
haIfa million. Some $480,000 req
reseDts the cost of charity and col
rections, while 1896, ,000is spent q
sewers, and $236,00 fsr salarie
and contingent expenses. The fir
department 1858, 900; the courti
sos, 900, and militia $4,000.
There is in each House of Cong
ress committee which has charp
of matter relating to the Distrit
of Columbia. Citizens appear b.
fore the committees and urge tn
needs of the city. The economy
this form of government is nndii
puted, while the absence 0f ii
practical politician and his raids III
on the public treasury, which
such a common feature in all cit
governments, is conceded TO be
great advantage. In considerable
Of these benefits; the snbstantil
citizens Of Nations Capital Il,
perfectly willing to 90 without Il
exercise Of the right Of franchise.