Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-30


Ia; Sioux Falls, 8. D.; Cheyenne, Wyo,;
Kansas City, Kan; Fargo N D.: Tucson.
Ariz., and Virginia City, New. The aggre-
gated populations Of these cities amount to
45I ,SS0, as against 1882 for Washington
This census bulletin also shows that
washington has greater per capita mu-
nlclpal tax levy (Which takes into account
both the rate Of taxation and the assessed
vaIuatlonl than 500 of the 1,0S3 American
municipalities exceeding 1900 in population
and that its levy is fully up to the average
exactlon from the residents of cities an
proximaune 1t In size: For instance, its
ieVy Is greater than that of Omaha, In
dlanapolis and Allegheny City, and a trifle
less tran that of Cleveland Newark and
MiIwaukee. The per capita indebtedness Of
washington Is vastly greater than that of
any OF the other cities enumerated. This
Indebtedness diverts to interest and sink
ing fund a large amount annually which
would otherwise be available to meet cur
rent expenses. Not one of the cities above
enumerated has so large a percenta1e If
noatng, non-taxing population as the cap
i.ai, Win us one-th1rd negro population and
us thousands of temporary visitors and the
government employees and this non-ta xnav
ing population reduces the nominal nor
capita tax levy without reducing it in fact
ny cash contributors. Not one Of the cities
enumerated has so few money-making re-
sources In manufactures trade and com
merce, in proportion to its population, to
meet this drain Of taxation
Contributor to National Taxes.
The Washingtonian makes a similar
showing as a contributor to the national
taxes The District has shared in every
sucn tax and has undergone special ma
tlohal burdens. Through it's custom house
IT, mas made considerable contributions to
the national treasury, and II the consumers
OF dutiab!e goods pay this tax it has con-
lrlnuteo 1ar above the average of munich
panties as one OF the large seacoast cities
which are recognized as the heaviest con-
sumers Of imported and dutiable articles.
The only national taxes that fall directly
ana Enthusiastically and in ascertainable
amounts upon Americans are the internal
revenue taxes. The states and territories
which have contributed in 1895 less in
internal revenue collections to the national
treasury than the District of Columbia are
alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho,
Maine. Mississippi Montana, Nevada,
North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, South
Carolina, Utah. Vermont. Washington and
wyoming Q6 states>. and Alaska, Arizona,
Indian Territory, New Mexico and Okla
homa Is territories).
The per capita contribution of the Dis
trict of Columbia is greater than that of
Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine Mon
tana. Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota,
oregon, South Dakota South Carolina,
tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wash
1ngton and Wyoming (22 states), and Alas
ka, Arizona, Indian Territory, New Mexico
and Oklahoma 6 territories).
The District of Columbia contributed in
1885 in internal revenue taxation for the
support of the national government con-
sfderably more than the combined con-
tributions of Maine, Vermont, Mississippi,
North and South Dakota, Idaho and Wy
oming The per capita contribution of
the Washingtonian to this national fund
was fifteen times great as that of the
resident of Alabama. eleven times that of
the resident of Arkansas. twelve times
that of the resident of Maine, eleven times
that of the resident of South Carolina, ten
times that of the resident of Vermont, and
enc hundred and twenty times that Of the
resident of Mississippi.
Does not the Wasningtonian pay enough
beth in national and local taxes? Is he
iE any respect favored by the legislative
body which, not chosen by him, decides
for him all questions of equitable taxa
ton?
The Logical Alternative.
Either suburban Washington should be
made a part Of the capital in all respects
or, resembling the highway act, the sec
ton should be retroceded to Maryland and
be permitted to develop on the natural
lines of it's own resources as series of
Maryland villages. The Greater Washing
ton must be built UP on the plan of the
original city, making Capital with big
c, worthy of the Nation with big n,
or the federal District must be reduced to
the limits of picayune capital worthy of
nation with lower-case n.
This capital, whether 1t is to be Greater
or Less Washington, will embody the ma
tonal idea and will serve index of
the strength of national patriotic sentiment
and of national prosperity ard power.
No act of the forefatlers furnishes more
convincing evidence of wise forethought
than the creation and general design of the
national capital. What they planned tn.
men Of today are to carry out, with the
engagements and improvements BETTING
the greater republic Of the present time
and necessary to make the modern city in
every branch of municipal development
model capital.
What is done for the capital is done for
the nation and for the promotion of ma
tional sentiment. At once the bond and
token Of union, the nations city and thu
spirit of American nationality are inter-
twined. Sincere and enthusiastic love Of
&C untry is what sustains the modern re-
capital and nation have planted the roots
of their existence in this patriotic senti-
ment. The Union and its peculiar residence
and part property. hallowed by every asso-
citation which can keep patriotism alive
rest upon the same supports.
The national sentiment was never strong
er than it is today. The whole republic
thrills in response to the patriotic impulse.
spelled in the largest typo. I do not be-
lieve for an instant that American serti-
ment will declare for contracted capital,
Giscreditable whsn compared with the
broad plans of the forefathers, and involv-
| ing ultimate reputation of national inter-
est in national territory. I am convinced,
on the contrary, that the seventy million
Americans of today, instead of approving
a retrograde policy Of cont emptible small
ness in a matter Of national concern, would,
If polled. decide that there can be no more
patriotic and ennobling labor than that
which associates ones name with the IL
lustrious forefathers in developing wcrthily
the city of the Union. the nation in ninda-
ture, thereby fostering the national senti-
ment. realizing the national aspiration and
gratifying the national pride.
Questioned by the Committee.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Noyes
|. was questioned by several members upon
branches OF the subject discussed by him.
| Mr.. Cownerd asked IL the streets OF Wash
| ington were included in the estimate of
the governments taxable portion of the
city.
Mr.. Noyes replied in the negative. Only
the public buildings and their surround
ing grounds were SO included.
Mr. Odell asked If, in other Cities those
who subdivided land did not donate the
| streets taking the view that their prop
erty would be enhanced in value by the
opening of the streets.