The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-10
A NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Bills Providing for Suffrage in the
District introduced in Congress.

Bills to establish a representative form
of government for the District of Columbia
we're introduced in the House end the
Serate yesterday by Mr.. Mudd and Mr..
Penrose respectively. The measure pro
vidos for the adjustment Of the offices
OF the District Commissioners at the ex-
plration of one year after its passage and
authorizes the election OF two legislative
bodies. a board Of aldermen and common
council The second section Of the bill
provides that taxes for local purposes shall
be paid one half by the citizens OF the
District and one-half by the General Gov
crnment as at present.
On the subject of local legislation the
bill recites that the power OF making
laws shall hereafter be vested in two leg
islative bodies known as the Board Of Al
dermen and Common Council OF the Dis
trict. Immediately after the organization
of the Common Council the first business
in order will be the making Of estimates
required 20 dtfrGy tac expenses Of the
District for the cusu'ug year.
This SHALL be don, b. a committee called
the Committee on TaX5tic-, consisting OF
al least seven members. appointed by the
presiding officer. These estimates shall
then be passed to the Board OF Aldermen
and Mayor OF the district FOR their aP
proyaI. After such approval they shall be
transmitted to Congress.
The Board OF Aldermen is TO be COM
posed OF eleven members elected by the
| pa9ple of the District OF Columbia, one
! from each two legislative districts, and the
common Council of twenty-five members.
one from each district. Eleven OF these
latter shall be appointed by the Presl-
| dent
The legislative districts shall be those
| defined by the act OF 1871, dividing the
| District of Columbia into election districts.
| The members of the boards shall be
| composed Of persons who have been
! residents Of the District for at least three
! Years previous to their election or appoint
/ meut.
All existing laws, ordinances and regu-
| lations are continued in force until re-
| pealed by Congress or the local legisid-
! tive body. The members Of the Boards OF
| Aldermen and Common Council shall re-
| ceiye for their services annually 5000 each
The MAYOR Of the city is to be eK-oficio
presidiug officer OF the Board Of Aldermen
| His term of office is fixed at two
| wears and he is to be elected by the
/ citizens OF the District at the same time
/ and in the same manner as the aldermen
] ana me tDuutllll1hs III AAA''-' A't''N 49,
I A resident Of the District OF Columbia for
! AT least five years previous to his election
\ and his salary is fixed at $4,000 year
/ While acting as mayor he must not engage
| in any other business. His power Of veto
| extends for a period of ten days after an
| ordinance is enacted.
In regard to elections the bill provides
| that an election shall be held on the sec
| ond Tuesday in November Of the year IN
| which this bill is passed and thereafter
| on the same date every second year ioI
the election of the mayor and the two
| legislative boards. and also for the exec
| tiol Of the following officers.
A secretary Of the District Of columbia
| salary. 81 see; health officer. $1,000; deputy
| bealth officer. s.. $50; commissioner oil inc
| Fire Department $500; commissioner OF
! the police. s. 500: commissioner OF ths
! Water Department. $500; commissioner
| Of charities, s., go; attorney, S5.uCO' su-
| perlntendent of public schools. S"VVUi
| fwenty-two trustees Of public schools inc
| compensationl who shall employ the
| teachers erect school buildings, and pre-
| scribe regulations for the control oil thf
! schools. -,
At the elections all persons VINO nave
| attained the age OF twenty-one years, Wh'
! have been residents Of the District foi
| two wears and of the voting precints Tor
| at least thirty days Will be allowed Il
! .-nte