The morning times., 1896-01-25
TAX SYSTEM An OUTRAGE
Senator -Blalchard Says Gov
eminent Pays Too Much.
DISTRICT SHARE TOO SMALL
Hopes the Time WIN Soon Come.
When the Present Law VIII Be
ChanRed-Debate Came Up on the
Effort to Pass the Memorial Bridge
Bin-Frye's Eloquence.

| One Senator OF the United States believes
the government pays too large share of
the District taxes.
MIR. blanchard of Louisiana, openly stated,
at the close Of a rema rkahle a fternoon OF de
| bate, that 1t was an outra ge on the country
at large that it should pay half the District
tax. He hoped the time would soon come
when this would be stopped.
The opportunity was afforded Mr. BIan-
| churd to make this statement by Mr.. Daniel
or virginia. This gentleman had called up
the memorial bridge bill and wanted it
passed. The measure provides that the
government shall build the bridge.
There seemed to be no intention to delay
Its passage until Mr.. Blanchard gave notice
that he would offer an amendment that the
District should pay half the cost. Then
MIR. Daniel took the floor in support OF the
measure.
WAS NOT LOCAL.
He opposed the amendment. The bill
Was not local measure, he said. 1t
was not OF local interest to the city OF
Warrington. The chief benefit OF the
bridge would be to the government. 1t
would connect the Capital with the military
fort. which defended it, the great military
cemetery where the nations honored dead
rested. and great parade ground. which
could be used by militia as well as regular
troops.
1t was a duty. he continued. that the
government owed, that access to the Ma
tional Capital should be made easy from
all quarters. 1t was a ehame :ba. the
matter had been neglected SO long. He
hoped the Senator from Louisiana would
withdraw his amendment.
Bat Mr.. Blanchard meant business. He
was not going TO withdraw anything.
He said he did not object 20 the bridge
TO Arlington and Fort Myer. The s:ici,,,ies
for crossing the Potomac were inadaI late,
lie aGmit,cd. He only suggested rhc pIO-
priety OF the District paying one-half the
expense.
He thought IL was all right when WASH
ington was q small village that the govern
ment should pay half the taxes But now
when the Capital had assumed the colossal
proportions of a city OF 100000 inhabi-
tants it was an outrage on the people at
large to pay one-half the municipal taxes.
This project started originally when it was
necessary TO add the streets to the govern
ments share to make up the Onc1ialf.
MR.. FAULKNER'S REMARKS.
Mr.. Faulkner interrupted Mr.. Blanchard
and said the government now in streets
and reservations a.one owned 81 FER cent
OF the area of the District This was
exclusive of the ground on which public
buildings are erected and vacant lots owned
by the government.
Mr.. Blanchard, though, continued his
remarks. He hoped the time was not far
OFF when n law would be passed lessening
the part OF taxes the government pays.
But as the District was standing one-balf
the cost OF municipal affairs it should
stand one half the cost of this bridge. He
urged his amendment, and it passed, Mr..
Daniel not urging a division.
Mr.. Vest, though. came in few minutes
after and made a motion to reconsider.
He said he would have fought the amend
mcnt had be been in the Senate. Mr.
Vests motion was entered and viii be
taken up Monday.
MR.. FRYE'S ELoQUENCE.
Mr.. Blanchard previous to this had
criticised the Foreign Relations Committee
in being slow In its report on the Armenian
question. The committee was defended
by Mr.. Frye. who made a very fiery speech
against the sultan and against the Euro
pean governments which had not interfered
to protect the Armenians. He said that IL
he had his way the American Congress
would memorislize Russia to take possession
of the Armenian provinces. and would in
form her that the United States would
stand behind her in doing so.
And he declared that if IL were necessary
to protect American citizens and their
property in Turkey, he would order United
States ships of war. in spite of forts and
in spite of agreements as TO the closing
of the Dardaneles to place themselves before
Constantinople and demand that protection
to which American citizens are entitled.
The concurrent resolution was passed with
out division. and now goes TO the House of
Representatives.
An effort was made by Mr.. Jones. DEM.
Arkansas 10 have time fixed for taking
the vote on the House bond bill with the
free COMA ge substitute; but as objection was
made by Mr.. Allen, Pop, Nebraska. Mr..
Jones gave notice that he would ask the
Senate next Thursday to remain in session
until that matter is disposed of.
The Senate at 4:1O adjourned till Mon
day next.
s