Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-06-20

LUG consultation on the question Of post
negative. and the Senate adjourned AS a
court OF Impeachment until July 6.
District BiiIs Passed.
HOCSE.-After our report closet
Mr.. BuckDer said the Senate had nassau a
BILL To REPAyE THE AVENUE
but In order 10 obviste any question as 20
the constitutional authority OF the Senate 70
bad reported new bill, which, however did
not differ materially from the Senate bill
He then proceeded 70 explain the provisions
He then offered certain amendments, one
of which was 10 strike out the names of
Adolf Cluss and Charles Mason as commits
siOners TO pave the avenue. Adopted.
Ans amendment was also adopted, on mo-
tion OF Mr.. Neal (Oh,o), providing that the
contractor shall keep said pavement IN re-
pair for the term OF i've years, and authoriz-
Ing the commission 10 retain ten per centum
OF the cost fths work as additional security.
Mr.. Hoar Mass offered an amendment 10
was rejected.
The bin, as reported, was then agreed 10
almost as It came from the committee. and
IL was laid aside to be reported TO toe House.
When subsequently reported IL was passed.
FUTURE CONVENIENT OF THE DISTRICT.
The committee then took up the bill pro-
NIolhs lor a Joint committee 10 frame per-
manent form OF government for the District
OF Columbia.
Mr.. Buckner moved to amend by striking
out joint committee, to consist of three
members OF the House and two members OF
the Senate, and provide that the com omission
shall consist OF six citizens, three OF whom
s1aii be non residents, and three residents OF
lne DlStrict OF Columbia; three TO De APP
pointed by the Speaker of the House aud
three by the President OF the Senate.
Adopted.
Mr.. Willard mich offered an ameniment
providing that the commission shall pro-
vide for the right OF suffrage IN the bis
tI1 aS OF Colnmei i under proper regulations.
believed many OF the evils In this District
grew out OF The fact that the people were not
permitted TO control their own affairs. He
thought that the people here should control
their own affairs and be made 10 realize that
their interests should rest upon self govern.
ment. BE thought the right of self govern
ment should not be denied TO the people here
in this Centennial year.
Mr.. Boar (Mass.) called attention to the
fact that under the Consultation all legisls-
tive power over the District was conferred
upon Congress.
Mr.. Lawrence (Ohio) said that In all the
states there were legislative assemblies
which made laws for the states, and yet GER
tain powers were delegated 10 cities aud
towns which enabled them TO exercise police
and other powers; and that should be done
here. The people OF the District should be
Permitted 10 control their own affairs by
their votes.
Mr.. Hoar argued that there was no au-
thoTity to confer this power on the District.
| The people OF the District were irresponsible,
and when they came here they were aware
| that they were deprived OF certain rights be-
| quired II. II the District was too large for
| federal purposes let IL be coded back TO
| Maryland, as a portion had been cetet bac K
| 10 Virginia. But do not do that which the
| Constitution forbids. He believed that the
only way 10 govern the District properly was
TO APPOINT commission 70 take charge OF
| the different branches, who should be reSpOn-
| sible for their acts TO the President. Under
| any other system there would be the same
| frauds and scandals which had heretofore
| characterized the government here.
| amendment
| jected.
The committee then arose, and the bills
We're reported TO the House.
When the bill In relation 10 the govern
ment was taken up.
Mr. Garield said he desired to give his
views on the question OF obligatory powers
| 10 the people OF the District OF Columbia.
| The Constitution declared explicitly that
! Congress should exercise exclusive legisla-
| ton over the District OF Columbia, and hence
| 10 could not delegate its powers TO any body
| of men. The old Continental Congress was
| dIiven from pillar 10 post because II had no
exclusive jurisdiction, and hence when the
| fathers determined upon permanent gov
| eminent they decided that they would ma We
| Zee simple in all the lands OF the Federal
| city. This was the only city in the world
where the government had an absolute fee
simple ia the streets themselves. Congress
could to-day build building from the Capt.
tol TO the Treasury and I'LL up Pennsylvania
avenue, and DO one could galnsay its agthOr-
tty 10 do so. be had voted for The bill year
or two ago which delegated authority 10 the
District, but be was convinced now that that
action was wrong.
Mr.. Randall Penn was glad TO hear Mr..
Garfield express these remarks, for II would
be remembered that the law referred 10 was
placed upon the statute books by the votes
of the present minority In this House. That
government was given because the then
dominant party wanted 10 declare for uni
versal suffrage. He was glad nov that that
suffrage was admitted 10 be failure. II IL
was a failure here why did not gentlemen
also recognize the fact that the states them
selves should also regulate the suffrage for
Mr.. Willard (Mich.) contended that there
was a vast difference between general legis-
laiion and municipal authority, and all
that he desired was that the people of the
District should control their own affairs.
subject TO the control Of Congress. He feared
that great evils would follow IL the people
here were permitted TO grow mp without
having fixed upon them any responsibility
| OF self government.
Mr.. Lsnders Qnd.) argued that Suffrage
tain wholesome Limitations and restrictions.
Ii was not necessary to make IL universal.
The bill was then passed as follows:
ncn-residents Of the District OF Columbia and one
| resident Of the District; TO be appointed by the
tr,t and resident, 20 be designated b. the
presiding officer ofthe senate, is hereby appJintei
gress to prepare suitable form of government for
the District Of Columbia and appropriate drafts Of
same into effect, and report the same 20 the two
Houses respectively on the nrSt day OF the next
session thereof. IL shall also be the duty Of said
commission TO prepare ard submit 20 the next
sion Of this Congress statement Of the proper pro-
portion OF the Npenses Of the government Of the Dis
trct of Columbia any branch thereof, including
interest the funded debt, which should b. borne
by said District and the United States respectively
together with the reasons upon which their cOnClE
fions are based. said commissioners authorized
t. employ such assistance as may he needed 20 ena
bic them 10 discharge the duties hereby imposed on
said commission; and the sum Of s5 go i hereby
appropriated, " much thereof may be neces-
sary, 10 dgfray ths necessary expenses OF said
mission.
AVERY TUB ON IT'S OWN BOTTOM.
Mr.. Buckner also reported bill TO author
lie owners OF an undivided interest in real
estate in the District OF Columbia to pay
taxes on their respective interests, aud 10
redeem the same when old FOR taxes by
payment OF the tax asses sed on each indi-
Vidual share assessed. The bill provides
that in all cases in viii Oh assessment of
taxes has been made each ow ner OF an indi-
vidual half shall be entitled TO pay his pro
rata share Of such taxes, and thus reliege
his Interest OF the lien, aud each owner may
redeem his undivided interest
The bill was referred 70 the Committee OF
the Whole.
BRIDGE BILL.
Mr.. Hendee WI, from the same commit
tee, reported a bill appropriatipg 500 900 for
Ha f<sao a M Dot