, 1874-03-17
DISTRICT Or COLUMBIA.
,SpeclaI U,spateh to 7he Chicago Tribune.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.

THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 16.-The District
Investigating Committee expected to listen to
arguments OF counsel to-day on tho question or
compelling Witnesses to produce private papers.
The appointment OF Senator Stewart to be
Chairman Of tho Committe, however, disarrang-
cd tho above programme, and there WAS no pub
lio session held. Tho members Of tho Com
mitteo, with tho exception Of Representative
Jewett, who was abBout, withdrew for private
consultation, and when they returned, three
hours afterwards, Senator Thurman announced
an adjournment until tomorrow morning
During tho aectet session, the Committee dis
cusHcd tho right of the President pro tom Of
the Senate to designate the Chairman of
O joint committee Of the two Houses, aud they
arrived at tho unanimous conclusion that he had
not the power to do SO. This point being 1o-
citIed, the next business Of tho Committee was
to
ELECT CHAIRMAN.
Senator Stewart is orcditod with saying he
will not serve under Senator Thurman, or any
the honor OF presiding over the deliberations Of
tho Committee will not fall to the lot Of the
Nevada Senator. Tho contest will probably be
between Senator Allison aud Representative
Wilson, with tue chances in favor Of the latter,
who will receive tho votes Of Senator Thurman
aud Representatives Hamilton and Huhboll OIL
tho first ballot.
TIE cAr1ToL GROUNDS.
Tho House agreed to-day to tho Senate Dill
authorizing the employment OF Frederick ~. ~.
0lMstead, who laid out tho Central Park in new
York City, to make the ptans for the lmproVemoht
Of tho grounds around the Capitol. When tho
bill came from tho Sonnto, It provided 1or an ap-
preparation OF $5000 but it WIS amended ny tile
Grounds by cutting this appropriation down to
$9,000 and the House passed 1t win t1ls nhehu- Gnu,
ment. This Ii tho beginning and may oh1y clear
tlo way to appropriations Of millions OF mohay,
10 be spent III beautifying tile public grounaa III
aud about Washington.
rAyAr1oa on aoyERNMEsr PROPERTY IN THE DE-
TnF0r.
Gen, Chip.nar, tho Delegate Of the District,
offered bill III tho House to-day, providing that
cLarre Of public buildings aud grounds and the
Goyeruueilt Of tue District shall bo = Board Of
Asseysn,ont, to assoss tho value Of the Goyern-
mont property ia the District; that upon this
assossmont @ tic United states shall horcatter be
taxod for tic running expenses Of tho District.
including all improvements, etc.. at the same
rates thlt the citizens arc taxeI; tlat the Boari
slAll cause to bo aacertnined how n1ch
has boon paid BY tho United States
atreots, alleys, avenues, otc. the lighting Of
parks, streote, etc.; tho support Of tho Fire.
Hoalth and Police Departments, and Hohool-
teaahcrs OF tho District. The Doard will also
these accounts, and then, doluctug tho amount
tpaid by tho United States from tho amount paid
by the Distriot, the United States shall pay to
tle District authorities au amount OF money TINT
will bring up tho total amount paid by tho United
states to equal the total AMOUNT patd Dy .ne tie
authorities to reduce the District indebtedness
and to no other purpose.
RUNNING ExpENsEa or TIE DIBrRIoT GOVERN
AENT,
Tr1n 4i.o t,.n f5Ho+b hat MI V4AH