National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-16
THE DISTRICT.
Dur Affairs in Congress

! In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Morton presented
petition Of certain women Of the District OF 20
lumbia, stating that, having carefully considered
! the bill for the government of the District, and
| believing that they have deep and vital Inter
est in said government, they humbly petition that
said bill may he amended as to read 'aII citizens,
irrespective OF sex otherwise duly qualified shall
be competent to voten Tor such officers as are made
elective by the provisions Of said bill. The petit
| DurdOre Josephine L. Crawford. Maria q. Page,
| Julia A. Wilbur, NH. Wheeler, Sara J. Spencer,
| Caroline B. Wtnslow, Mrs. NJ. A. Smell, Mary
| willard, and about two hundred others.
DISTRICT JURORS.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported with amendments H. r. 4,669, to provide
for the selection Of grand and petit jurors In the
! District Of Columbia. The amendments strike
out from the second section the words "Who shall
be able to read and write the English Language"
tas applicable to qualifications of iurors,) and
that part of the third section which gives the
court power to examine each person summoned
Mr. Conkiing, from the same committee, re-
ported bill to prevent cruelty to animals in the
District Of Columbia, with unlmpOrtant amend
ments.
PRoPEsTY-HoLDKRs.
Mr.. Williams bill for the relief OF property.
owners in squares 72S, 49, 100 and 49, introduced
in the House, provides that the architect or the
Capitol be authorized to grade, lower the founda-
tions, and rebuild the lower stories Of all the
buildings on these squares, fronting on the east
park Of the Capitol between First and Second
streets east, so as to conform the grade to the
grade on North A street, East Capitol, South A
and First streets. Also, to put up for the accom-
mod alton Of the owners or occupants of the build
ings on said squares suitable steps and GootWaIks
and that the sum Of $4,000 be appropriated for
these purposes, to be expended under the direc-
ton OF the Interior Department. Referred to
the Committee on Appropriations
ART MATTERS.
The Joint committee the library heId a n,aat
ing yesterday morning and decided adversely on
heproposition OF Mr.. NJ. c. Tiers, of New York.
to paint picture for the Cspltol illustrative of
American progress; also, adversely on the re-
guest OF ia sPeGPiGHs meeting held In Washing
Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Con-
gross be open to the public on Sundays. The
Lanmsn, author of the Dictionary of CyongresS
who asked to withdraw his claim for compens3
ton on the ground that his copyright had been
inirirged by the compiler of the Congressional
Directory.
TEE FREEDHAN's BANK.
In tie House, Mr.. Cain introduced a bill to
continue in operation the Freedmsn's Bank. 1t
provides that notice shall be given to tho
depOsitOrs, and they shall elect if il shall he con-
tnued, and majority having so decided, they
shall elect trustees and directors for the same un-
der the charter granted by Congress. The banks
the act Of June 20 1874. The three Commission
ers appointed under that act are to continue their
laDOTs until July l, 1870: That the United States
assumes TO pay to depOsitors 30 per cent Of the
whole amount of assets and securities of said
bank. and shall hold the same as security for the
payment Of the sum thus advanced. The bill was
referred to the Committee on Banking and Cur
rency.
DANAG Is TO PROPERTY.
Mr.. Hitchcock introduced q bill which was re-
terred to the District Committee, providing that
the board Of audit Of the District of Columbia be
authorized to receive and adjust claims for dam |
ages sustained by property by reason of n change
OF the grede Of Pennsylvania avenue at the time |
said avenue was paved, under the provisions of |
act OF Congress approved July 8. 1870; and the |
claims so adjusted shall be certified By the said |
board OF audit in like msnper and form as other |
claims acted upon by the said board, and the Ger
uhcates go issued shall constitute O valid debt
against the District Of Columbia, and may, at the
option OF the holder. lie converted into bonds Of
Tie Ihstrtct Of Columbia authorized by act OF
Congress approved June 20, 1874.