The Washington times., 1915-10-20
Can't Go Into Partnership
With a Bankrupt Treasury

IT cannot believe 1t to be the
duty OF Congress. and I never will
consent by my vote or voice. TO
make any appropriation to be DIS
bursed for the support OF the Dis
trict until permanent form OF
government has been agreed upon
to be intrusted with the appropria-
tions made by this Congress. We
cannot afford to go into partner
ship with n bankrupt. We cannot
afford to pledge the Federal Treas
uIy, which Is good for every dol
lar II guarantees. we cannot ar
ford to go into an unlimited part
nership with treasury that Is
bankrupt. that is today lahoring
Lnder a debt OF twenty odd mil
lions of dollars. unless there be
Sole Limitation put upon the terms
of the CopartnerShip, or some Inn
itation put upon the power OF
those who are to be intrusted with
the conduct of the affairs of this
DIstriCt.
THE people OF this District. no
matter at whose hands. have al
ready suffered enough. They have
Hcen pillaged and plunicred and
robbed by the agents selected by
CONGRESS. II is not their fault that
Sl2.tCO.00O or sli,oo0,oOo Of the
de0t under which they now labor
was fastened upon their shoulders.
You must go back to your old
board of public works, to your
Co0Id OF audit. in whose selection
the people OF this District had no
voice and no part. II Is traceable
to those agencies that the people
OF this District are today the vic
tl=Is of debt that unaided they
never will be able to discharge.
they are entitled to a settle
ment OF this question. \ perma
nent form of government for this
District, in my judgment. ought to
be established in some shape be-
fore another dollar OF money is
voted by Congress for any District
purpose. Pass this bill. II not in
Its present shape at least in some
shape that will be satisfactory to
Congress and give relief and pro-
tecncn to the people of the Dis
triCt.'
So Mr. Hendec, during the same dis
lus> en-, said:
u think the provision in this bill.
in making the burdens of tho eX-
lense and debt beE equally upon
The United states and the District
OF Columbia. is very wise and fair.
II will settle all questions of this
kind and will save the time Of
Congress in discussing the subject
each year, as has been done here
tofore. People owning property
can then know what is its real
value for today property Is al
most worthless here. from the fact
that this great debt of $4,000, 900
stands as mortgage upon the
property OF all the citizens. and
they can never sell or dispose of 1t
or pledge 1t seously. un-
til the extent of that mortgage
is ascertained by some Congress.
That is what this bill does; and |
think It one of the wiscst pro-
visions that could be inserted in
any organic act by the govern
ment of the District"
The proportion of the expense Of tn,
District to be paid by the General Gov,
lalf.
When the current District appropria
Ion act was under consideration In tn,
House Of Representatives 1t was STATED
hat a joint committee of Congress il
S76 had reported that reasonahl,
between the General Government anC
he people of the District would be il
he proportion Of 40 per cent by tho
ormer md 80 by the latter. Ii wa,
ven stated on tho floor Of the Hous,
hat 1t took the local LOBBY" two year.
o induce Congress to depart from this
recommendation and induce Congress,
o make tho Government contribution
% per cent instead Of 40 per cent ICong
Rec, vol. SO, p. 5459)
The report referred to was that oi
joint select committee which was ap,
pointed by virtue of concurrent rcso.
ution of the Senate and the House OF
in August, 1876 dur,
ng the closing hours of the Forty.
ourth Congress. The committee an.
pointed under that resolution which
vas ito frame a new government fur
he District OF Columbia" consisted oi
George Il. Spencer OF Ala,
,ama, William pinkncy Whytc OF
William Window Of Min,
,esota. and Representatives George W
iendee of Vermont. Eppa Hunton OF
and Hester Clymer OF Penn,
'ylvania. The report Of the committee