Year: 1877

and avenues, all of which belong absolutely
to the Government, and which, if valued
and assessed would about reverse the rcla-
tive positions ~ to ownership of property
between the citizens and the Government,
leaving the latter the largest owner. The
avenues and streets of the city arc wider
and longer than is required for business
purposes or for the use of the citizens, and
with the parks and trangles are intended
for the beautifying of the Capital and
the benefit of the nation and the world but
they make the administration of the city
much more costly, and this should be con-
sidered when Congress is upon the subject
of the District.


Washington City has an uncxceptionablc
situation, and is without doubt laid out in
a manner that will, with time and proper
expenditure of money, make it one of the
most beautiful cities of the world-one in
which the nation can take q just pride. II
would be maniiestly unjust to make the
property holders and citizens of the District
pay for the adornment of the capital of the
nation; that should he done by the nation,
and all that should he required of the citi-
zens is to pay the legitimate expenses that
would be incurred in city the size Of this; ;
all over that to be borne by Congress.


There are two ways by which the Gov
ernment can arrive at and pay its share of
these expenses, and Congress should adopt
the one or the other. The first is to con-
slider the relative values of the property be-
longing to the citizens and the Government,
including all the real estate of the latter,
and allowing for the increased expenditure
caused by the wide streets and the parks
and triangles. Then TO make liberal esti-
mate for the expenses of the city, including
such improvements rs should be made, and
to appropriate out of the Treasury of the
United States the share to be borne by the
Government, while it provided by proper
and stringent laws for the collection of the
remainder from the citizens. We have
already shown that this proportion should
be at least sixty per cent. Of the amount re-
quired, leaving the citizens to pay forty per
cent


The other plan is more simple, easily ar
rived at, and perhaps preferable. That is
to take the present assessment of property
as a basis and make an estimate of all the
expenses of the city, exclusive Of the
amounts needed for the streets, avenues,
parks and trinngles. Let Congress pay its
proporton, according to the value of its
property of that assessment. If there was
no tax but upon real estate, this would hc
forty-fve per cent; but as there is, and
should he, u revenue from personal property
and from licenses, the percentage would be
reduced Again, if this plan We're pursued
| it should be reduced still further by the
| fact that all the real estate would be exempt
| from taxation for streets or street improve
| ments, and ought not probably to exceed
thirty-three and u third per cent of the
| amount required. Then Congress should
| take exclusive control of the streets, avenues
parks and triangles, placing them under the
control of its own officials, and making sucl
| Improvements ut its own cost rs it deems fit
| This would be the iaircst manner in which
the nation as to the expense of local govern
ment.


| II should be remembered that Congress is
the legislature Of the District, having sole
control of its affairs, and when lcgislatinl
| for it the members act in a dual capacity
representing both the nation at large and
the people of the District, and this bring
up the question of representation. 1t woult
be clearly improper for the capital Of thu
nation to be under the contr Ol of any Stat'
government; but it is also clearly in viola
ton of the first principles upon which on,
government is founded for any portion o
the people to be unrepresented. Thi


is 50 well understood that all the Terrific


ries, which are but States in embryo, wait


ing for the hand of time to develop them


are given a representative in the pOpula


branch of the Government, who is entitled


to talk for them. The District of Columbii


is not Territory, and cannot become


State, but it now has larger population


than several States which have two Senator


and Representative, and its people shoul


not be deprived of a privilege given I


every other inhabitant of the nation excep


"Indians untaxed." 1t should be allowe


q member of Congress who can on the foo


of the House explain its wants and advC


cate and vote for the adoption of such law


as are needed. Now its citizens have +


seek committee rooms and there explain


their views. 1t is fortunate that in tn,


Senate the District Committee has chair


man-Senator DORSEY, of Arkansas who |


gentleman of liberal and iair-minde'
views, and who takes just pride in tn
judicous improvement of the nations Capi


tai, besides being well qualified to deter


mine what should be done, as he has visitc


the principal cities Of Europe and profile
by his experience. 1t is to be hoped tha
the House will select such man to plac
at the head of its committee, and we ma
then expect proper legislation.


The Philadelphia Press.
This sterling journal has taken its ne