Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-10
The District in Congress.

bia, provides that on the trial OF any suit OF
criminal before a jury in the Supreme Court of
the District OF Columbia, if either party to the
suit shall, before argument to the illry shall be
commenced, present to the Justice holding said
court written instructions to be given to the
jury, the justice shall endorse on each tnstruc-
ton so presented the word giueH If he shall give
The same, or refused If he shall refuse the same
and sign the endorsements; and SHALL thereupon
before 1nstructing the jury, reduce to writing
all the Instruments TO be given to the jury, and
Sgn the same, which instructions, with the in
StructlonS presented by the party TO the suit
shall be filed with the clerk of the court and
preserved among the papers of the court, and
the endorsement of the words excepted to on the
margin OF each instruction, with the signature
OF the attorney shall be sufficient TO reserve the
exception to the giving or The refusal of any in
Stucti0n.
THE CENTRAL STATION HOUSE
A resolution was introduced in the House yes
terday by Mr.. Landers of Connecticut, and re-
ferred to the committee on the District as fol-
lows" Resolued, that the Commissioners of the
District be requested to communicate to this
House an estimate of the expense required to
remodel and repair the old Central Guard House
On Louisiana avenue, between 9Th and 10th
streets, so that it can be again used for station
house purposes and as a police headquarters
and that the building at present used for police
headquarters be occupied until Congress takes
sone action in the matter.
WATER RATES
The following is the text OF General Williams
bill introduced in the House yesterday: A bill
TO authorize the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia to adjust and fix the water rates
Within said District. 1t provides that the Com
mSS1onerS OF the District of Columbia be, and
they hereby are, authorized and directed to ad-
Just ard fix the rates to be paid in the District
OF Columbia for use of Potomac water sup
piled for any purpose from the agueduct. eX-
cept for use Of the United States or the District
OF Columbia, and to establish rules for the pay
ment thereof. But the rates so established by
them shall not be such as W i'll increase the rev
enue OF the water department OF said District,
in proportion to the number of Places supplied,
more than Thirty per centum. Also such rates
Of charges and rules for hire OF hackney car
riages, cabs and other vehicles used for the
conveyance OF passengers In the District OF
Columbia as they may deem just and advisable.
Sec. 2. The rates Of charges established and
rules made as above provided shall have the
same force and effect in the District OF Colum-
bla as II enacted by Congress.
TAXES ON PROPERTY BENEFITED BY THE CAPI-
ToL GROUNDS IMPROVEMENT.
Among the executive documents laid before
the House yesterday was one from the Secre-
ta1y OF the Interior asking legislation to en-
force the collection Of taxes against private
property benefited by the improvements around
The Capitol. The act of March g. 1870, provides
that the costs OF such Improvements Shall be
sessed against private property benefited in
the same proportion as charged by the District
authorities. These assessments have been
made, but in the absence Of law to enforce
their collection, but few persons have paid the
tax.
THE PROPOSED NEW DISTRICT DoNDs.
Nr. A. s. Williams bill TO amend the clause in
the sundry civil appropriations of June 81, 1878,
authorizing the commissioners of the District OF
Columbia 10 iSsue bonds to redeem certain bonds
OF said District falling due January and March
], 1919, proposes that il Shall read as follows:
said bonds shall be payable 50 years after
date in sums OF 81 900 each, and bearing the low
est rate OF interest, not exceeding per cent, at
which they can be sold for their par value, and
TO be awarded to the most favorable bidder
after having been advertised by the Treasurer
OF the United States as sinking fund commits
Sloner OF said District for ten successive inSer-
tionS in two daily papers in Washington and
TWO In New York, the bids to be opened in the
presence OF the Secretary OF the Treasury, and
the amount to be subject to his approval
Sec. 2. That the Secretary of the Treasury be-
and he is hereby, authorized TO advance TO the
SINKING fund commissioners upon reQuiStiOn of
the commissioners OF the District of Columbia
sum not exceeding s2Sl 800 to pay the bonds OF
said District falling due as aforesaid, and the
United States from the sale OF the bonds to be
issued in accordance with the provisions OF this
resolution.
Sec. 3. That the commissioners of the District
or Columbia be authorized to spend a SUN not
exceeding $4,000 to defray the expense OF the
reaSsesslGent OF real property and taking the
census in said District as directed In the act OF
Congress approved April 2, 1876.
A PETITION
from the WOman'S Christian association was
presented in the House yesterday asking for
an appropriation of $4,000 for the support OF
tie hCme.