Year: 1878




The following is the full text of the Senate
bill in relation to the revision and assessment
of taxes for special Improvements in the Dis
trict of Columbia, as it has passed both houses
of Congress:


Be it enacted, &c, That the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia be, and they are
hereby, directed to enforce the collection, ac-
cOrding to existing laws, of all assessments for
special improvements prepared under an act
OF the legislative assembly of August 10, 1871,
as charges upon n the property benefited by the
ments were made: Prorided, That upon COM
plant being made to the Commissioners,
within thirty days from the passage of this act,
OF erroneous or excessive charges in respect to
any Of said assessments which remain unpaid,
said Commissioners are hereby authorized to
to correct the same; and where certificates of
assessment have been issued, they shall issue
to the holder of such certificate drawback
certificate for the amount of such erroneous
or excessive charges, which certificates shall
be received at any time in payment of assess
mentS for special improvements, and they
shall be redeemed in the manner prescribed
for the redemption and purchase of certiti-
Gates, as provided by an act of the legislative
assembly of May o. 1873, entitled AN act for
extending the time of payment of special as
SeSsments, and for other purposes" after the
provisions for the purchase and redemption
of certificates named in said act shall have
been fully carried out.


AN ATTEMPT MADE TO RECONSIDER THE BILL


IN THE HOUSE.


This bill passed the House at the morning
session yesterday, as stated in THE STAR last
evening. At the afternoon session.


MIR. Springer rose to what he said was queS-
ton of privilege, and said he would first send
up ard have read resolution requesting the
Senate to return to the House the bill which
was passed this morning for revision and cor
rectiOn of special assessment taxes in the Dis
trict OF Columbia. That bill was passed under
miSapprehenSion.


Mr.. Hendee inquired if that was a question
OF privilege.


The Speaker said twas if a wrong had been
done, but the wrong would have to be shown:


MIR. Springer said the bill was passed
through a thin house. and under mi5lppre-
hension, and he would show that a great
wrong had been done.


tcally by unanimous consent The gentle
man from Tennessee (Mr. Atkins) objected
once, and subsequently withdrew the Objec-
tOn. The gentleman must show that great
wrong has been done before he can claim
question of privilege under his motion. Other
wise any member might move to recall any
bill from the Senate.


Mr.. Springer asked that the bill be read. and
also letter which Commissioner Bryan had
written Oh that subject, and it would then be
shown that a wrong had been perpetrated.
The bill was not measure OF relief, but twas
a tax, and it only went through in consequence
of misapprehension. The gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Atkins( objected to it, and he
assured by the gentleman from Vermont (Mr.
Hendee) hat the gentleman from Kentucky
(Mr Blackburn approved the bill.


MI. HenGee said that was not true. He did
not mention Mr.. BlackburnS name. What
he did say was that the committee on the Dis
trici OF Columbia was unanimously in favor of
the bill.


MIR. Springer said if the House would hear
the letter of Commissioner Bryan read it
would be shown that in this bill we had legal
lied taxes which We're clearly Illegal.


Several members objected to the reading.


The Speaker said the gentleman must show
that a wrong had been done.


Mr.: Springer said Bryan's letter would show
it to be wrong Besides, the manner of its
passage was a wrong. The gentleman (Mr.
Hendee) called it up when there were very
few members in the House, and gentlemen
were Informed that the committee were unan-
imOuS, which was not so.


Mr.. Blackburn said, as his name had been
mentioned i'll connection with the matter ii
was proper for him to say that there were bills
before the District committee in relation to
these special assessments, and he had given
his assent to bill to revise the assessments
passed 10 legalZe the taxes. If lie mad been
here to day he would have objected to the bill.
Mr.; Atkins said he would have insisted upon
his objection ii he had not been told that the
committee was unanimous.


MI Blackburn had not a word to say with
reference to any mlsapprehensiOn into which
gentlemen might have fallen. He did not
blame gentlemen for suppOsing he favored this
bill, for he did favor one with regard to assess
ments But to this bill he was opposed, for it
was crude, dangerous and iladviSed.


Mr. Hendee said that a bill of this character
was before the committee early in the session,
and it was discussed and considered by them.
To-day when he called UP the bill he took no
one by surprise. There were at least twenty
bills acted on before he called UP the District
bill, and it was read in the hearing of the
House. The bill was, in his opinion, a very
proper one. There is an element in the Dis
trict OF Columbia who would not and will not
pay their taxes. In order to satisfy this ee-
ment it was proposed that the assessments
should be revised, and ii errors were found
they could be corrected: This element, which
had money, could go into the courts and resist
the payment of their taxes, while others, who
were compelled to p ay them. In this way
A,5OO,OCO was paid, and there is the same
amount due. Now, if the one element is not
compelled to make payment Congress must
make an appropriation TO satisfy the poor peO-
PIE who were compelled to pay because they
could not go into the courts. He, for one, was
glad that the bill had passed, for it was good
one, and measure OF relief Applause in the


Mr.. Lockwood said if the bill proposed to re
wise only for the rich, who had not paid. and
not for the poor, who had, it would be an i'll
Justice to the poor


Mr.. Hendee said all would be revised.


Mr.. Springer here asked again that Mr.
Bryans letter be read, but objection was made
on all sides.


Mr.. White moved to lay the whole subject on
the table.


The point was made that there was nothing
to table.


Mr.. Springer insisted that he had a right to
have the letter read and be heard, but Obiec-
tlOn was made.


MIR. Townshend inquired if it would be in
order to refer the Whole subject back to the
committee?


The Speaker said that would not affect any.
thing, for the bill was gone


Mr.. Hendee said that if Mr.. Bryan's letter
was read there would have to be an explana-
tIon from him, and he might have to pay his
respects to that commissioner in way that
would not be pleasant, and he did not wish to
do that.


After a great deal Of wrangliug over the
question OF allowing the letter to be read, it
was agreed that MI Springer and Mr. Hendee
should each have five minutes.


Mr.Springer thought the bill had been passed
in an inconsiderate manner, for there was not
quorum in the House at the time. He was
not "a property owner here, and had no special
interest in the bin, but he had been told by
the people did not want it, and that it was
great outrage upon them.


Mr.. HuntOn wanted to know who gave him
that information.


Mr.. Springer had no objection to saying, Co
lumbus Alexander, Louis Schade and Mr. In.
gersOl had told him it was great outrage. He
then sent up and had read the letter OF Mr.
Bryan in relation to special assessments