The report of the Commissioners shows that the affairs of the District
are in a condition as satisfactory as could be expected in view of the
heavy burden of debt resting upon it and its very limited means for
necessary expenses.

The debt of the District is as follows:

Old funded debt $8,379,691.96
3.65 bonds, guaranteed by the United States 13,743,250.00
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Total bonded debt 22,122,941.96

To which should be added certain outstanding claims,
as explained in the report of the Commissioners 1,187,204.52
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Making the total debt of the District 23,310,146.48


The Commissioners also ask attention to the importance of the
improvement of the Potomac River and the reclamation of the marshes
bordering the city of Washington, and their views upon this subject
are concurred in by the members of the board of health, whose report
is also herewith transmitted. Both the commercial and sanitary
interests of the District will be greatly promoted, I doubt not,
by this improvement.

Your attention is invited to the suggestion of the Commissioners and
of the board of health for the organization of a board of charities,
to have supervision and control of the disbursement of all moneys for