Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-12

ing them on the convention held aud wish
Ing them success In their undertaking.
me meeting was again called to order at
quarter OF one O'Clock.
The afternoon session was taken up by
routine business. The meeting adjourned at
about three O'Clock. 1t was their intention
to leave In the steamer Arrow at 4:3O for q
visit to Mount Vernon.
Report Against Special Improve.
memt Claims.
The District Commissioners have ad
dressed q communication to the chairman OF
the Senate District Committee, returning
some papers referred to them relating to
Senate bill for the relief of certain property
holders ON 9th street. The bill referred to
directs the Commissioners to pay the sums
OF S503 and 1919 to two property holders,
said amounts being "alleged to have been
enormously collected from them for special
improvements on property on that street, be-
tween r and q streets northwest"
The Commissioners say: Gin any view of
the case the same Is excessive" The assess
per cent. certificates of Indebtedness, known
as "greenbacks," which are by law receiva-
bic In pay ment for special improvements.
low their face value. In payment of as
sessments they are received at par. The bill
contemplates re-payment to these men as
though they had paid their assessment In
money instead OF I'm script, the market value
of which is SO much below par. Under any
circumstances this would be an excessive
allowance. There are, however, other con-
siderations which seem fatal to favor
able and special legislation. The claims
are two fold, the first branch refers to
the mode In which the property OF the
claimants was assessed for pavements. In
the mode of assessment, however, there was
no departure from the rules according to
which assessments for special improvements
authorities OF the district. The 1n III ITe
mode OF assessment acted upon by the Com
miss1oners, In these and all other cases,
was adopted after careful consideration, and
is believed TO be In accordance not only with
law, put also with equity. There Is no more
reason for setting IL aside and making re-.
endorsement to the present claimants than
there is for the same action in respect of
other persons who have paid their assess.
menfs. The second branch OF the claims In
question has reference TO the allowance made
by the board OF audit, under act OF June 20,
1874, for old material taken from the streets
or the city. The board OF audit was com.
posed OF the first and second controllers of
the carefulness ana good faith OF the
action of that board in the two cases
mentioned. II the decisions OF toe board
OF audit are TO be reviewed in these cases,
there will be the same reason for review
Ing them In numerous other instances.
Even when parties having claims over which
the board OF audit had Jurisdiction failed to
present them to that board, we doubt the
expectancy OF subsequent legislation in
favor OF the claimants. It was intended
that the board Of audit should close up the
y
jurisdiction. and abundant opportunity was
afforded TO claimants to present their cases.
Except under extraordinary circumstances
we do not think that allowance made by the
board of audit should be increased, or that
parties who failed to avail themselves of the
ample opportunity for hearing before that
BOARD should now receive legislative awards
alton, we doubt the wisdom OF our allo vance
OF the drawbacks In the cases referred TO,
and would rule against them were they now
SHALL THE BRAVE CUSTER HAVE A
N oNUMsNI?.An adjourned meeting OF the
General g. A. Custer during the late war
vas held last night at the National hotel,
COLONEL A. w. Duggan In the chair and Fred.
The committee on permanent organization
OF monumental committee reported the
following list OF officers. who were elected
Cen. p +. sherida G H q. gfssiaeas;
Williams, Mich; Gen. VIM. Wells, VT; Gen.
hudson Fitzpatrick, n. j.; and Gen. Craw-
aker, Conn. secretary; Jas. q. BENNETT, M n.
T., treasurer. Executive committee-Col.
A; W. Dlggan, Mich; Gen. NJ. NJ. NICE wen,
W. Va; Gen. Bray ton Ives, Conn; Col. Kidd,
ned, U. 3. A; Major III. 81. Finley, Mimi;
COL george Chapman, Sd Indiana cavalry;
Col. !. T. Mcintosh, u. 8. A; Col. E. @. Bou-
1Ginot' inolan territory; and Col. A. q. Boone,
The report was adopted, aud the commit.
tee continued for the purpose OF adding to
the executive committee one from each state
a committee, consisting of Gen. f. w.
whitaker, Capt. s. M. Lake aud Sergeant
d: A. Curtis, was appointed TO inform Mr..
reIry OF MS election, and to obtain permits
sion TO send circular to each state and ter
fitoIy 10 fnaugurate q system Of sub5crip-
Subscriptions amounting To between a ,oo
and $1,000 have already been received.
TIE TREASURY RoBBERY-The Motion 10
Audch Otfndn's Property Quashed. = In the
heard the case Of sSe Unitsd siaiss sy
Ottman-Mr. Wilson for the government
and Messrs. Merrtck and Elliott for the de-
the arrest OF Gilman for alleged complicity
10 the robbery OF package OF money nom
the U. 8. Treasury, the government insti.
tached his properly. The case came 1 up this
morning ON q motion OF the government for
An order to sell, and the defendant made q
motion 70 qussh the attachment, on the
Souio lot give bond such as II required OF
States oomes n sssy fSs that when the United
rulee. There e rule requiring In rs such
but the government had fled no snch bond'
~ mere was aay fault to be found with this
discussion 1t should be with the law. Gs
nao decided according to the law as he fonnd
~, and was responsible for hfs sction
While he sat on the bench he meant 10 dis.
charge bis duty a. he had done 1t ia the mast
according 70 law and regardless OF the action
OF any other bench Of the Rovernment. ana
be would continue 80 to do until removei h1
due process OF law. The government AVE-
notice OF motion TO appeal.
BILL FOR DIvoRcE-Messrs. Moora-ara
New man yesterday nled q bill for Emma r.
Kane for divorce from VIM. l.. Kane. The
parties were married In this city In Nav.
$50, and the complainant charges him viii
cruel treatment and habitual drunkenness.
citing instances OF attacking her with q