Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-28
CON CIR E S S .


CONGRESS
In the House of Representatives, on Wednes-
day, Mr.. Doddridge, from the Committee on the
District of Columbia, reported bill for the more
speedy administration of Justice within the Dis
trict
1t was read a first and second time, referred to
a Committee of the Whole House made The order
OF The Gay for Tomorrow and directed to be PRINT
ed.
Mr. Thompson, of Georgia, from the select
committee on the militia, reported bill for the
organization of the militia of the District OF Co.
lumba.
The bill having been read first and second
time,
Mr. Thompson proceeded to state the object
of the bill A measure of similar nature had
passed the House during the last session OF Con-
eress: and it was considered as well then as at
present, that the District stood much in need OF
the adoption of one uniform and comprehensive
system of defence The bill involved no appro-
priation of money for that purpose; but simply to
authorize the Secretary of War toprovide in each
of the three cities of the District, Washington.
Georgetown. and Alexandra. proper repositories
for the preservation, and establishments for the
repair of arms. Would such provision in the
bill, he enquired, render it imperatlvely necessa
nv that should 20 into Committee OF the Whole!
The Speaker said certainly not
Mr.. Thompson continued, stating that the bill
was applicable to the whole of the militia Of the
District A convention of the officers of the citizen
force had been held. and its provisions had been
approved of by them. He concluded bv moving
that it be made special order of the day for Mon
day next.
The motion was agreed to-; and on the further
motion of Mr. Tucker, the bill wos ordered To-
printed.-Ielegraph.
Mr.. DoDpR1DGE. from the Committee for the
District of Columbia reported the following bill:
A BILL to alter the Bridge and Draw over
the Potomac river, in the District of Colum-
bia:
Be IL enacted Jy Me Senate and House of
Representatives of tie United States of fine
RIGA IN Congress assembled, That the Washing
ton Bridge Company be, and they are hereby re-
quired, WITHIN months from the passing of this
act, to lengthen the draw in the said bridge over
the main channel of the Potomac, to sixty six
feet. which said draw with the wharves thereat,
shall be made and constructed in every respect,
according to the provisions of the act of Congress
approved the 9Th day of February, in the year
eighteen hundred and eight, entitled "An act
auth izing the erection of bridge over the river
Potomac, within the District of Columbia" ex-
cept that the same may, at the discretion Of the
COmpany,be narrowed to not less than twelve feet,
and the said company may, at their discretion,
reduce the number of lamps to be kept at the said
draw to ten instead of twenty.
Sec. ,. .4nd be 1t further enacted, That the
said Washington Bridge Company in repairing
said bridge, may reduce the width thereof to
twenty four feet, including four feet thereof on
one side, for foot way, instead of six feet on
both sides, to be separated from the other space
in the manner required by the provisions of the
before mentioned act.
Sec. S. find be IL further enacted, That, if
the said Company shall, within the same period
only have performed all that is required of them
by the provisions of this act, by lengthening the
draw aforesaid to sixty-six feet, by constructing
the said wharves, and drawing the channel be-
tween them and under the draw, according to the |
provisions of the before recited act of Congress,
and shall also within the period aforesaid, have
widened the draw in the SAID bridge over the
channel to thirty five feet; instead of
the width required BY the act before recited; and
if the Secretary of War shall, within the period
aforesaid, be satisfied, and shall certify to the
Secretary of the Treasury that all the work
aforesaid in relation TO both draws and wharves,
is faithfully finished and completed, according
to the provisions of the before recited act and Of
this act, then the Secretary Of the Treasury
shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to pay to
The said Bridge Company, the sum of ten thou
sand dollars. out of any moneys in the Treasury
lot otherwise appropriated. ~
Sec. 4. find belt further enacted, That, un-