Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-02-10
District Affairs i'm Congress.

The Board of Health were before the Ap-
preparation Committee of the House this
morning urging the usual annual approprla-
ton for the expenses of the Board. and an APP
preparation of $4,000 to pay claimants for
clothing destroyed during the small pnx
scare. The Committee requested the Board
to send them a letter setting forth fully the
needs of the Board.
THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT
were heard by the House Appropriation
Committee this morning in the interest of
the following appropriations: SI1,1G5 for the
Fire department and Board of Health;
S46.20210 to refund 10 the District above
amount for salaries paid by the COnmis-
sioncrS which are properly chaTgeable 10 the
United States; $4,000 for the erection of
Georgetown school building.
FUTUPF GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
In the Senate to-day, Mr.. Morrill,, of
Maine. made motion that the Senate take
q recess from : to o'clock. and at the even
ing session his bill for the better government
of the District OF Columbia be tn lxenup. The
motion was lost by a vote of - to 20. Mr..
Morrill, called for the ayes and noes, and said
that the close of the session is rapidly APP
preaching and time is getting precious. He
was, therefore, surprised to notice q diSincli-
nation on the part of Senators to consider
the bill in question. especially in view of the
urgent neceSSity-fOr the passage of this or
some other measure FOR the District. If Sen
atOTS did not want any bill passed, let them
speak out and say so.
Mr. Sargent said that i'm few months the
District would he without power TO levy
taxes. and the fire apartment. the school
teachers. and Others would have 10 paw, and
il would not be a pleasing reflection for Sena-
tors to know that they were responsible for
This state Of affairs. He favored prompt
action.
Mr. Chandler gave notice hat he would
antagoniZc the steamboat bill ia case Of an
evening session.
Mr. Morton and Nh CoukIirg said they
would vote for Nj. Morrlll'S motion if il
would not interfere with the regular order.
Mr. Morrill, withdrew his motion ion the
ayes ara noes.
sTEENGTHENING TN PONDS.
H. the Senate to-day. NJ. Hitrhcuc!l. from
the District Committee reported the follow
amend sn act entitled An act for the gov
eminent of the District OF Columbia. and for
other purposes, approved June p. lSIi
Be e cilCC''R NJ., That the seventh section
Of the act OF Congress entitled d" Au act for
the government of the District of Columbia,
aud for other purposes approved June 20.
1-Ii, he, ara the same is hereby. amended by
inserting tire words ''dD 50" after the fOrticth
word following the first period i'm said sec
ton. 50 that il will read - And the faith OF
the United States i hereby pledged that the
United States VIII. by proper proportional
aTpTOTr ations as CONTEMPLATED i'm this act
and by causing TO he levied upon the prop
CTty within said District such taxes aS VIII
90 50, provide the revenues necessary to pay
the Interest on said bonds rs the same NAV
become due and payable, and create n sink
ing tunI for the payment of the principal
thereof at maturity" PT0vrjoj, That regis
tered bonds may he issued i'm lien of coupon
bonds a. provided i'm said act or exchanged
for COUPON bonds already issued, and the in
trrcSt Of all said bonds shall be payable ~
the TrUs SHry of the United States.
The bill passed the House Of Representa-
tiyoS jar. 18th, and now goes to the Prc>i-
dent.
BEGrLATIoT OF STEAM RATTW AVS
The following bill was passed by The Sen
ate to-day:
\ BILL for n commission To regulate and
arrange tracks and dgpOt~ Of steam ra'i-
ways within the city Of Washington.
b ortIc'o| dc. That the chief officer OF
engineers Of the army OF the United states,
tHc engineer officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds in the city Of Wash
irGtDn. and three other suitable and cOIape-
tent persons. 10 Ec selected by the President
of IL" tni1cd States. are hereby constituted
comm ls~fOu 10 examine the whole subject
OF Columbia. both as TO existing roads and
those i'm course of construction. and CSpe-
CEailV q 70 connections which viii best aC-
COmmO1dte travel and trade BY land and
wafer; the location and construction
of tracks and dCrOtS. 80 * 70 diminish
and limit the obstruction OF streets
avenues, and public grounds Gs far as
tie location 81 horSe-railwayS now existing
or authorized. and what more are or VIII be
required for The iUtuTe accommodation Ofthc
city of Washington, and where such rail
roads may rc properly established without
interfering with public grounds and with the
least Inconvenience TO avenues and streets.
and further To examine and report upon some
Just ami equitable system OF taxation foI
HOT>C-raiiwavs, based upon the amount o.
gross or net receipts. and report a full and
comprehensive plan. ON bIarIuE an the points
herein mentioned. ana all matters properlv
connected Herewith 10 Congress, Oh Tie u.st
OibCccmbCT, Inl5.