Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-02
LrGISLArIyE ASSEMBLY

Mr. ThOmpso made inquiry as 20 what action
lstive Assembly In relation to the code of laws
for this District, which had been compiled py
the commissioners appointed for that purpose,
aud laid before the last session.
The chair stated that tie records of the last
session would show.
Mir. Thompson said the matter had better be
taken mp and disposed of. He did not remem-
her clearly what the report of tn 1t commission
was-vhether it contained the laws now in
force, or whether it was a code of such laws as
in the judgment OF the commission were best
adapted to the District of Columbia. At all
events, the matter ought TO be referred to the
judiciary committee, when appointed, for ex-
animation and report.
Mr.. Quick explained that the compilation
embraced ali the laws now In force; also MANY
new laws not in force, but which the commits
sloners recommended fer adoption. In the
report printed, however, there were many su.
peIhultles which they should dispense with.
Mr.. Brooks here called the attention of the
Council TO the fact that in this report as en-
braced the Declaration of Independence AMI
Constitution OF the United States, which he
thought they were not called upon to re-en act.
Mr.. Browne, after explaining in brief the
nature OF the report, submitted q resolution
u,horiZing the president OF the Council to pro
cure twenty tive copies of the report for use OF
the Council; adopted.
MIR. Thompson moved that the code as pre-
pared he ken mp aud referred to the commit
tee on lu dietary when appointed; adopted.
Mr. Buker moved that when the Council adj
iouyued 1t be TO meet on NJ Onday next; agreed ID.
Mr.. Buker made inc uiTy whether the com nit
tee 10 whom had been referred the message OF
tue Governor we're ready TO report. lie thought
II time there was some understanding abOat tue
work 70 come before them; the Committees
were to be appointed, and all should bs in
working trim to proceed to business as sOon as
the House was ready.
Mr.. Brooks stated that the committee would
be ready to report at the meeting on Monday
next
at 6:25 O'Clock p. m. the Council, on motion
or MI Thompson, adjourned.
HOUsE-The House was opened with prayer
by Rev. y. Duey Moore, the chaplain; all pres
sent except MIR. Nenable.
Mr.. Berry presented the petition of p. O'Don
noghue, and MIR. Underwood the petition OF K.
Z. Emerson; both OF which were referred.
Nj. Uren offered a resolution request
ing the Governor 10 inform the House by
what authority of law the Baltimore and OhiJ
railroad have laid track in L street, between
LIST street and Delaware avenue, and whether
the same cannot be removed, so as to enable
property-holders to improve their property;
adopted.
Mr.. Bursley offered a resolution directing the
committee on Indebtedness TO inquire TO the
amount Of the Indebtedness, ascertain whether
the interest has been paid on sewer certificates
ano improvement bonds, and how large an ap.
preparation Will be required to pay the interest
the ensuing year; ordered TO be printed.
MI Brewer presented the petition of j. II.
Merrill to be reimbursed certain moneys paid
Tor improvements; referred.
Mr.. Boswell offered a resolution reIu sstiny
the police committee to inquire into the facts
atts nulDg the arrest of one Benton, and the
cause OF the escape of certain unknown parties
alleged to have committed a burglary at the
ONCE OF the District Attorney; ordered to be
printed.
MIR. Brooks asked TO be excused from service
az chairman of the committee on District af-
fans; so ordered, ana Mr.. Dyer was appointed
III 4 is place.
The resolution of Mr.. Bursley in relation to
the general sewerage bill, was taken up, AMI
Mr.. Dyer moved to strike out the preamble,
which If as follows
Whereas, It has been found that the coIlec-
hOr OF taxes under tue act known as the ..Gcn-
era! Sewerage BILL applies unequaly TO tax
pay ers In the District or Columbia and in some
portions OF the District will result in the virtual
coz aseauon OF property; and whereas, 1t is pro-
weed by law that the Legislative Assembly
shall impose no higher tax than two dollars in
the hundred on the taxable property in aid
District, and IL II believed by many that said
seweTjsEe bill violates such provision of law"
Dir. Dyer urged that II was not the tina to
make the assertion that any OF the District Sc
euTlues were not sound. The best legal talent
had decided that the sewer bill was not illegal.
He denied that the tax would result in the yir-
tual ContiscatiOn of property. He did not know
that the gentleman (Mr. b meant it, but the
adI ptiCnoi tie preamble would affect the credit
OF the District.
Mir. BuTsley said he did not desire 10 impair
the credit of the District, but the people were
interested IN this subject, especially those VINO
owned property hot worth the amount of tax
ana there were some in his district. Ii would
hot be improper TO At least IN AXE the inquiry.
Er. Boswell said there was considerable prop
eity In the lower part of South Washington
which was not worth the amount OF tax. As TO
IL urIT tue securities, he did not see how they
ccGld ce appreciated.
The motion TO strike out W lost; yeas
A"gsrs. Cox, Dyer, Peek, and the Speaker;
Uaysl7.
The resolutions were amended so as to read
a. follows, ard adopted yeas -, nays-COx and
DyeT-2,) after motion by Mr.. Dyer 10 strike
out the secCId resolution had been rejected:
THAT special committee OF four members be
aTroiEt'd by the Speaker, who shall report to
this House what acton il is advisable for the
Lea i'lative Assembly to take IN the premises:
that the Board OF Public Works be requested
TO postpone the issue OF certificates against
property urcer said act until the Legislative
Asa mbly have made a final disposition OF the
matter in question"
Council concurrent resolution for ths appoint
Inent OF a committee to fix an hour OF meeting
was read and cOncurIed in.
MT. Berry introduced, in the shape of bill,
the revised code recently prepared by the COM
mission, and il was read a first tine.
Adjourned to Monday at O'clock.
THE THRATBRs.-To-night is the last chance
to see the charming actress, Mrs. Chanfrau, in
FOrd's Opera House, as Mrs. j. b. Booth com.
mences an engagement on Monday evening
next as Juliet" IN Shakspesre's immortal
tragedy, "ROmeo and Juliet"
CarncrOss & Dixey's Minstrels open a weeks
engagement at the National Theater on Mon
day evening; and Washington play-goers will
oO gnu W Icdrn LndC manager SavilIe has
cnIed the full company of Daly's Fifth avenue
New York; Theater for a weeks engagement
Monday, May 18th.
The Theater COmique presents the capital
Dill OF this week for the last time to- night as
new attractions are in store for next week. or
course there will be a crowded house to see the
can-can to night.
A Fatal Bow WITH CART PRoP.-On
Thursday last Officer VIM. III. West was called
upon TO arrest a cart driver named Wesley ,Jor-
4 an for beating fellow workman named Sandy
Dyer severely over the head with a cart prop,
his occurred at the corner of 18th street and
NJ Massachusetts, avenue, where some street grad
ng was being done. Officer West found that
Dyer was badly hurt, and had him removed
carefully TO his home on Massachusetts, avenue,
between Sd and 4th streets northwest, and yes.
terday Jordan was taken to the Police Court
and committed to await the results of the In
uTies on Dyer. Last night Dyer died from the
INJURIES received, Inflammation having set in
n the head, the skui! being fractured. Jordan
will therefore be held for murder. The assault
grew out OF very trivial matter, a mere Joke
among the workmen.
TIE FUNERAL of the late Col. William Sell
len took place yesterday afternoon from the |
church OF the Incarnation, corner OF 18th and |
streets, in the presence Of a large number of |
trends and relatives. Rev, John III. Elliott,
sssociste rector of the Church of the Ascen- |
ion, offciated, and after the services the cor