Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-06
District Affairs i'm Congress,

ACTION OF The SENATE COMMITTEE TODAY.
The Senate District Committee held regular
meeting this mornipg-present, Messrs. Lewis
(chairman), Jones, Hitchcock, and Johnston.
The first business considered was the petition
of James Bremner, praying Congress to repeal
ton in the District of Columbia, and the "peti-
ton ofeitizens of the United States" praying
for the repeal Of the same act In the District OF
Columbia and the territories. Both of these
were handed over to Mr.. Robertson, with in
structions to ask that the committee be relieved
from their further consideration. This action
was taken mainly for the reason that the com
mittee believe that the consideration of the sub
Territories.
The resolution of Mr. Sumner instructing the
Committee on the District OF Columbia to con-
slider If any further legislation is needed to pro-
tect the interests of the United States in the
lands of the government hospital for the insane
of the army and navy, and also the riparian
rights of the United States on Anacostia and
Potomac rivers attached to such lands SO far as
the same sre impaired by the Point Lookout
railroad, was referred to a subcommittee, con-
sistiDg of Messrs. Jones aud Spencer.
Mr.. Johnston, to whom certain matters had
been referred, said he was not prepared to re-
port on the bill authorizing the Washington
Cincinnati ard st. Louis railroad company to
extend and construct their railroad into the Dis
trict of Columbia, and through the states of
West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois to
the city of st. Louis, and branch road from
any point they may elect on the main line of
their road, in the state of Indiana, to the city
OF Chicago Since there are constitutional cues
tons involved, which are new under considera-
ton by two Senate committees, Judiciary and
TransportatioD,) it would be well to DELAY
action on the subject. The committee conceded
in this view.
In reference to the bill to establish an inc.
briate home in Washington, Mr.. Johnston said
he had lately read much on the subject of such
asylums, and found that they are growing in
popular favor, and that the view taken by the
best authorities is that the time has come to
treat drunkenness as disease. He had made
some verbal amendments to the bill, and had
stricken out that part of it relating TO govern
ment aid. He simply proposed to give the in
stitutiOn a charter. Mr.. Jones said, as he
understood it, the District authorities have the
power to grant Q charter; and If so, he should
oppose any action by Congress. The further
consideration of the bill was deferred until the
next session of the committee.
In relation to the bill aboishiDg the Office of
warden of the District Jail, which had been re-
ferred to Mr.. Johnston, he reported that he had
heard large number of parties. pro and con,
and had come to the conclusion that there are
no good re asons for the proposed change. At
the suggestion of a member of the committee
the report was laid over for consideration at 4
full meeting Of the committee on Friday next.
THE BACKPAY OF THR METROPOLITAN POLICE
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Robertson, from the
Committee on the District of Columbia, re-
ported, with amendments, Senate bill 3O4 rel
alive to the Metropolitan police of the District
OF Columbia. The bill, as reported, provides
that the Court of Claims shall be clothed with
jurisdiction of all claims, il any there be- by any
member or members Of the Metropolitan force
under or by virtue OF joint resolution approved
February Is, 1861, entitled "Joint resolution
giving additional compensation to certain en-
p Dyes in the civil service OF the government at
Washington" and that said Court of Claims
shah be authorized and empowered to adjudi-
cate and determine any and all such claims
provided that this resolution shall not be con-
strued so as to create any new claim or liability
under the said resolution approved February
Is, 1861.