New-York tribune., 1878-06-08
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL
THE CONFERENCE ON THE DISTRICT BILL.
WASHINGTON, Friday, June 7, 1s7

WASHINGTON, Friday, June z, 1873.
The Conference Committee on the District
Bill has had several and expects to agree to-
morrow morning The committee VIII undoubtedly
recommend that the Commissioners OF the District OF
Columbia shall be appointed by the President III
stead of by Congress. Two OF the commission
ers are to be private citizens, who are TO serve
for three years. to he engineer officer OF the
army above the rank Of captain. All contracts awarded
by Commissioners for work must be approved by all
Of them. The amendment providing for counc to be
chosen by popular vote will probably be stricken out
No provision for popular suffrage will be retained. The
chief provisions in regard 10 taxation Will
probably be retained. Property situated In the Dis
trict outside OF the boundary Of the City OF wash
ington, and used for agricultural purposes,
taxed not higher than per cent upon ITS val
uation The provision for the collection OF a poll tax
will be stricken The section requiring the secre
tary Of the Treasury pay the scmannual interest on
the 3G5 bonds deductug the amount from the sum due
the General Government its share OF the expen-
ses OF the District. viii, Of course be retained but the
senate amendment ploVdlhs or sniing iuu :" 9 pay
the pruclpal OF these bOuus may ne blIIcheh oul'
This Is not matter Of immediate Importance because
the gatiOn OF the General Government To see tha the
principal of the bonds sha be phd Wheh de uoeH not
differ IN character its guarantee Of the interest aud
Will unquestiOnably be recognized when tue time Tor
their pal ment arrives The adoption ot the Dlil eanot
fail TO have beneficial effect upon interest IN TIE
District OF Columbia, public ana private The reassur
ing effect o. the Is aready apparent In the ii-
proved credit of tine District shown by the advance III
pncc of It's 365 bonds.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The Sundry Civil bill, which has been re-
ported to the House, contains the following items for
public buildings:
For the public buildings Atlanta Ga, $4,000. and
at Albany " Y, 10000 T1e secretary OF the I&aeas- &
in charge OF the Lght-li0use Board ot the Nth
sty of a building for a Post 0nce in Bllu-
more: The bll also contains apProPTiations
follows: for the continuation OF public buildings at
SJUO,OtO. lc,
S20,000i Grand Rapids s2OOOOi iiurisburg, Penn-,
Rneigh y c., $4,000; 81 LOUIS, Mo, 100000 Uuca.
~ y, $50 900; repair OF the Treasury building n
Washington $50 OOO repair OF the Custom House at
Boston $4,000; Tor continuing the building Of the
Post Ofce ana sub-Ireasury Boston. 100000; f1r
for Fii River, $4,000; Hartford Conn SO 600 /;
Little Rock $4,000; Nashville, S3j OO0j NeV-Oreaus,
$50 600 for the Post Office and Court House az Pnia-
delphia, 100000; for tne completion Of Appraisers
stores san Francisco. S3j0OO for the Court House
aud Post Office at TRENTON y j. slOOJO for the Assay
Office at Helena. $4,000. rho secretary OF War Is
authorized aud directed TO eel toe United states Aseha
at Pittsburg. Penn, and Pikcsyille, lud.
RUSSIAN CRUISERS IN THE CABINET.
The Cabinet to-day had under cOnsidera-
ton the subject Of American citizens supplying ships
and munitions OF war 20 the Government Of Rus
sia while that Government and England are en-
gagged in a controversy which may develop
,rtn war The conversation was general and
sa important was the subject deemed that II Will
be resumed the next meeting Of the Cabinet Ques-
perinitiing ships for war purposes be built and ed
ont in this country during the present crisis also the
duty of the United States regarding the fulment or
contracts made between Russian agents and American
shpbuilders in the Of war being declared between
the two Nations.
MAJOR McDONALD's FUNERAL
The funeral of the late Major W. J. Me-
Donald chief clerk Of the United States Senate, took
place this afternoon from Epiphany Protestant Episco-
nal Church The Rev. DR.. Paret conducted the me-
mortal services The remains taken to the Con-
gressiona Cemetery attended by the membors and en-
Moves Of the senate and great number Of the friends
OF the deceased Official. The pal-bearers Senators
Edmunds Bayard, Eaton and Thurman, Major Slack
and DR. John Il. Blake. The only floral decorations
were a handsome colnmn OF Niles that stood % the
head and beautiful wreath that lag upon the cOhin
BILL FOR A BARGEOFFGCE.
The House Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds has unanimously agreed 10 report favora
bly, upon Representative Muller's bill appropriatng
s2lO 900 for the OF barge Office, at the Reve
nue. Dock In NewYor City, with suitable sheds for tho
accommodation OF passengers arriving by European
steamers AZ IL Ia not probable that nnothcr call will be
made for reports from this committee during the present
session of Congress- MI Muller will cudeayOr to obtain
the unanimous Of the House to hear the report
I'm question u order that the bill may be disposed OF be-
fore adjournment.