New-York tribune., 1874-06-24
DISTRICT LEGISLATORS ON A PROMlsCUOUs
STEAL.

DISTRICT LEGISLATORS ON A PROMlSCUOUS
STEAL.
HONORABLE MEMBERS CARRYING OFF CHAIRS. DESKS
SOAPS, FINGER-BRUsHEs, ETC., PROM THEIR HALL
-oSE MEMBER INSISTS UPON THE CLOCK, AND
GETS 1T BY WRITTEN ORDER FROM THE BOsss
BRoTHER-How ONE DELEGATE SATISFIED HIS
LONGING FOR A FEATHER DUsTER.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, June 23.-The high character of the
members of the Legislature of the District OF Co
lumbia has had striking illustration to-day, and
from the Speaker, Mr. Arthur Shepherd, down to
the ordinary lay member of that august body there
has been conpuct which has never been equaled by
the most accomplished heather Chsnee. The bill
which passed Congress few days ago abolished the
Diftrct Government, including the Legislature, the
Governor and other District offices. The Legisla-
ture has not been in session during the Winter. for
when the investigation into District affairs began
Gov. Shepherd. brother Of the Speaker, wrote
letter recommending that the Legislature
defer its sessions during the inquiry. When
the Legislative Hall was fitted up two
or three years ago charges Of great extrava-
gance were made, with intimaton that there
had been pretty heavy percentages paid, and when
the Legislature abolished, the thrifty members
who had been deprived Of all perquistes, bent their
longing vision to the equipments OF the hall. One
member took his chair and desk; another punctual
member walked off with the valuable clock; an
other was in need of mirror; another wanted
some soap and finger brushes another needed
cushioned seat and water cooler; another wanted
the costly chairs; and so in this eccentric waV
everything was carted off. The porter in charge OF
the han demurred to tho removal Of the clock by
the Hon. Andrew Gleason, at which that honorable
gentleman became extremely angry, and finally
hrou an rIe aahi
WASHINGTON June "a. 1874
The sergeaht-at-Arms watchman at the House OF
Delegates hereby authorized to give the clock now In
the hall the House OF Delegates to the bearer Andrew
Gleason.
(5igned) ARTHUR SHEPHERD
Late Speaker House OF Delegates
This was sufficient, and Andrew walked off with
bis prize, although in the contest it had become
somewhat damaged. Later in the evening Shep-
herd denied having written the order. One honora-
BILE member took his plunder and left in its place
the following:
This is to certify that I. j. A. Perkins, has borrowed
the chair and desk lately occupied by him to carry
home his books and papers.
To the Speaker OF House of Delegates.
Tho pretense given by the members
in many cases was that tho furniture
needed repairs or that it was borrowed OF, In other
cases, its removal was simply joke. AL the
brushes combs. towels, and soap used In the wash
room were removed and it is said that one Oh tine
Delegates took feather duster secondhand but IN
good repair, and running the handle down inside
his walstband through one of the legs OF his panta
looms and buttoning the feather end inside his Ves
walked serenely away. Happily the portraits OF
the ex-Mayors were not removed. As soon as
the facts of the playful conduct OF the delegates
became known to ex-Gov. Shepherd, he forbade any
of ha N laca directed
tho property should be returned. 1t is said tonight
that everything has been returned except a tooth
brush, quantity of soap, and two or three chairs.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
RECORD OF LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE
WASHINGTON. Tuesday, June 20, 1874.
The number of bills introduced in the House
during the session just closed is $751; and the num-
ber of Joint resolutions 1ls. Only two bills were
pocketed by the President, these being retained to
prevent them from becoming laws without the
Presidents veto, viz an act for the relief of Alex
ander Burtch, and an act to prevent the useless
slaughter of buffalo within the Territories OF the
United States The House cleared its docket more
thoroughly than usual as there only 20 Senate
bills on the Speakers table at the time OF ADJOURN
ment and one House bill with Senate amendments.
One bill only was lost for want of time in enroll
ment and this was OF an uniinportant character,
Indians. 1t was q House bill, and had passed the
Senate without amendment and reached the hands
of the enrolling clerk just as the House was au-
jOurning
LAW PASSED TO ABOLISH ITALIAN CHILD
.... SLAVERY
Can't Censo Cesar Moreno Is rejoicing over the
enactment of law for the abolition of slavery OF
Italian children brought to this country by the So
called padroni. Mr.. Sargent called up the bill In
the Senate, and obtained its passage, with some
amendments at late hour last night. When the
bill reached the House of Representatives, to-day.
Mr.. Page of California asked ana secured
unanimous consent that 1t be immediately
considered and that the Senate amendments be con-
CURED in, which was done Mr.. Morens has de.
voted three years to this work, ana eH2eRaea on
thousands OF dollars Many Senators anu Representa-
tves heartily congratulated him on the result. lie
was admitted to the floor OF both Houses ana ms
bill passed by votes approaching Hhalitiy Inc Ing
failed to effect the work which Capt. MorehS mas
SO successfully accomplished.
THE COMMISSION TO FORM A GOVERNMENT
FOR THE DISTRICT.
f.. r. Hoar of Massachusetts, aud Mr..
Mitchell of Wisconsin, hard-headed Puritan
and an equally hard-headed, sensible Scotch
man. have been appointed by the Speaker
on the Commission to frame permanent
form of government for the District OF Columbia.
IL would be well il the President would show little
of the good judgment displayed by the Speaker IN
making selections to Office. The Senatorial Commis-
sioners also well chosen. They are Messrs Mor-
rill of Maine and Hamilton OF Missouri.
ENOUGH FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES
Although no appropriation has been made this ses-
sion for the continuance of the Civil Service Com
mission it will not necessarily cease immediately,
as there is an unexpended balance amounting to
about xl0 600 stil remaining in the Treasury from
| last years appropriation which may be drawn
| against up to the lst of July next.
The Senate bill to reorganize certain branches OF