Evening star., 1928-05-13
Fifty Years Ago
I'm The Star

A bill to create a form OF govern
ment for the District of Columbia was
Government for May I, 1878. after
A. D;..r;o. much time had been
tue uissI1ct. spent in considera-
ton Of this matter so vital to the Capt.
tai municipality. 1t provided for an adj
ministrative body Of three Commission
ers, an Army officer and two civilians.
the latter to be elected respectively by
the House Of Representatives and the
Senate. There was also to be council
of "a members elected by the people OF
the District Expenses of the District
we're to be met by equal contributions
from the Federal Government and the
District tax revenues II was TINS Dill
that later became law after material
amendments by the Senate and changes
In conferences and formed the organic
act" Of the District. The Star In Ats
issue Of May 8. 1878. says:
1T was probable that the bill Tor q
permanent form of government for the
District, passed by the House yester-
day. may not get through the Senate
for some weeks, as several OF the iea-
lures are likely 70 be discussed at con-
siderable length, particularly the ques-
ton of the constitutionality Of the pro-
vision for the election Of Commission
ers by the House and Senate. II Is not
believed that there will be any oppo-
sltion to the so per cent feature, ana,
whatever amendments may be made 10
the bill, this provision. of such vital i'm
portancc TO the people OF the District,
will undoubtedly be retained. AS. now
ever, the so per cent contribution OF
the Government win only be available
next year, after the organization OF the
new District Government and the Ap-
proval by Congress OF estimates OF Dis
trict expenditures made by that Gov
ernment, II will be necessary for Con-
gress to make appropriations out OF the
sundry civil service bill, or some other
bill, 10 cover the requirements for the
current year, Although the so per cent
appropriations win not be ut once avail
able, stili the passage OF tho bill estab-
fishing this permanent equity viii, II II
believed, have a most beneficial effect
In restoring hopefulness and huoyancy
to our people, so depressed and crippled
by the unbearable burdens of debt aud
taxation"
Collectors Of coins occasionally md
examples OF the old small silver pieces
Retirement of century ago
Small Silver Coins. mere w. rhs S"'tsn1, s,ar
of May q, 1878, Is the following about
their retirement:
THE provision of the bill introduced
in tho House recently by the committee
on coinage, weights and measures,
which provides for the retirement OF
the : and 3 cent silver pieces. Is good
one These coins. from their iightneSs
ard small Sises, have never been popu-
lar and are fruitful source Of Anney~
ance and inconvenience to poAtmasters,
bankers, merchants and others all over
the United States The Post once De-
partment ia In daily receipt ot scores
of letters complaining Of these nut-
sancea. In a circular issued by tho de-
nartment tho poNtmasterS are informed
that the coins are legal tender up 10
IS hut the statutes are capable OF an-
other construction, which places the :
and cent pieces outside OF the list OF
authorised silver coins
'nuslnesa men can. II they please, take
advantage Of the seeming uncertainty
In seRard 10 the standing OF the coins
In uuestion and can frequently avoid
taking them, but no such co,,rae " open
To the postmaster hy the accumulation
Of smaM amounts there are soon several
hundred dollars In small silver IN bis
possession which no cannot dispose af,
To be sure, 1t may be boxed up and
sent at his own expense 20 be Deposited
with the nearest assistant treasurer but
the cost OF transportation IN many m
stances would ho more than the value
of the coin. and II Is not right that
any such expense, even the slightest,
should fall upon the Postmaster Even
the few large cities, where the assistant
treasurera ere located do not escape
without Inconvenience"