Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-06-01

veyor of Customs, Galena, Ill. Also lot of
postmasters
The Government of the District.
BILL PROPOSING NEW PLAN INTRODUCED I'm
THE HOUSE TO-DAY.
In the House to-day Mr.. Lawrence, Of Ohio,
introduced bill to provide for the future gov
eminent OF the District of Columbia. The first
section provides that the District shall here
sster constitute one municipality, and SHALL as
far as practicable, be governed by uniform laws
applicable to all portions thereof.
The second section abolishes the Offices of the
governor, secretary, AMI members of Board of
Public Works, and, until Congress shall other
wise provide, no election shall be held for dele
gate, and the Legislative Assembly shall upon
me exp ration of the present session, cease to
exist.
Another section provides for the management
Of affairs in the District after the first Monday
in January, 1875, by municipal assembly, to
consist OF iorty-eight members. who shall be
elected annually by the people, under the SUI
pervsion and subject to the geneI al legislative
powers OF Congress. The first election Is 20 be
held on the second Tuesday in December next,
and shall be conducted in the manner now pro-
vided by law, except tn at the proper Off GERS OF
registration and election shall be appointed
and be removable by the Supreme Court of the
District. The municipal assembly shall meet
on the first Monday in January, 1875, and the
irst Monday in the same year thereafter.
Several sections of the bill are devoted to
nicipsl assembly; providing for weekly meet
ings except during the months of July and
August; that such meetings shall be public
that their acts may be expressed in the form of
ordinances; that said municipal assembly shall
not contract debt against the District Of any
class or nature except by the express authority
of Congress; the municipal assembly is not
granted power to create corporations, nor to
modify the practice of the judicial courts or to
confer jurisdiction thereon, nor provide for the
appointment OF nOtaries or justices of the peace
nor to give additional compensation to any
,fficer, agent or contractor after services rem
dered.
The municipal assembly is empowered to pro-
vide for the support of the poor and to estab-
iish (subiect to the approval of Congress) a
Uniform system of public schools; for the cleo
ton of q general school board by the votes of
adult residents of the respective school dis
riots; to define the duties and fix the salaries
Of District officers; for the election by the Dis
trict at large of the necessary Off GERS to ratify
all ordinances deemed necessary by the Board
of Health.
The bill further provides that all existing
contracts for public Improvements he cancelled
tnd provides for a So stem of day work If cheaper
han contract and that all improvements shall
Ne hereafter executed under such professional
supervision as Congress may prescribe; that all
work done under contract shall be to the lowest
bidder, and prescribes punishment in case a
contractor furnish es material not in accordan
with specifications; also provides punishment
by imprisonment In case of an engineer certi-
flying improperly work done.
The bill covers seventy-nine sections, OF
which the above contains the material parts OF
he principal ones. The Dill In full would
occupy several columns of THE STAR. 1t was
referred to the Joint Special Committee Inyes-
dgating A fairs in the District OF Columbia.