Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-17
The DissriC. in Congress.
IMPROVEMENT or THE RIVER AND THE SANTA!
CONDITION OF MASmINl.EnN

Ihe secretary OF War transmitted to the
Senate to-day, copy of a report from Mr.. :. T.
Alert, [. S. civil engineer, in reply TO a COM
munication from the Senate committee on Dis
tflct OF Columbia, transmitting copy OF bill
for the improvement or the sanitary condition
OF Washington and for deepening the river
channel. The Secretary OF War concurs in the
criticism of Mr.. Albert. Mr. Abert'S letter is
addressed TO General A. NJ Humphreys. chief
OF engineers. The Senate bill referred to pro-
NideS for the reclamation OF the flats and
marshes above the Long Bridge by an embank-
ment between the present and new water front
to height Of seven feet above high water: the
material for the embankment TO be taken from
the river bed in such manner as to leave a chan
Eel % feet deep along the new river front and
width OF not less than 300 feet, provided that
the river slope of the embdnkInent may be
covered to a thickness OF 25 feet with material
taken from the government reservation occu-
pied by the National Observatory. Mr.. Albert
say that the work OF retaining the river flats
is OF paramount Importance from Il sanitary
point OF view. The work proposed b. the bill
stops at the Long Bridge while the plan proposed
by the board Of survey of 1872 contemplated
Improvement of the entire river front of the
city as far as the mouth of the Eastern branch
Regarded as general plan OF operations moth
ing better could have been proposed than the
specifications of the bill, but certain essential
parts OF the plan have been omitted The bin
OmitS to provide for the outlet sewers which
win be covered by the new embankment II
also omits to mention the necessity for new
and more permanent bridge near or on the site
OF the southern half OF the present Long bridge
The third omission is in the absence OF any pro
vision for protecting the new bank from erosion
Dy The iioodS. The matter OF sewerage is left
TO the special committee appointed to consider
that subject. Mr.. Albert says that a new bridge
VIII be rendered Necessary 10y the altered cOndt-
ton CT the river. Under the proposed plan the
deepening OF the river under the Old piers viii
cause them to settle, and the bridge viii prob
ably Tali, il not be washed away. TIE cost OF the
work proposed under the bill is as follows
Amount OF filling above the Long brldrp IN
eleven feet above low water, increased 20 per
cent. for shrtnkage, is Sl,6l9,71S, including an
average thickness OF twenty-five feet OF earth
taken from observatory hin, bank protecting
and contingencies. Mr.. Albert Oes not think
that the work can be completed in less than
IRON two aud a-half to three years.
REVISION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
The House committee on the District OF CO.
lGmbia had under consideration to-day the bill
now pending before the Senate District Of Co.
lumbia committee with reference to special
assessments in the District. Ii appears that
there is some conflict between the taxpayers
and the District Commissioners with reference
to the powers OF the latter under the assessment
biD now in force. Certain taxpayers hold that
While the Commissioners have the power TO re-
wise assessments, they have no power other than
TO reduce the same; that they have not power to
increase them. The committee after nearing
Mt. Dickson, MI. Clingnan and others on the
subject, appointed MeSSrS. HuntOn, BoUck. May
hem and Hendee subcommittee to take the
subject into consideration. This latter commit
tee subsequently decided TO hold an open seS-
sion at ten O'Clock tomorrow, at which all tax
payers interested In the subject OF assessments
Will be accorded a hearing.
MARRIAGES OF COLoRED PEOPLE
The committee agreed to repord favOrably
bill which provides: ''That the issue of any mar
riage of colored persons, contracted and entered
into according to any custom prevailing at the
tlme In any OF the states wherein the same oc-
culTeQ SNAIL I0r all purposes OF descent and
inheritance, and the transmission OF both real
and personal property within the District of
Columbia, be deemed and held to be legitimate
and capable OF inheriting and transmitting in
heritance, and taking as next of kin and dis
tributee according TO law. from and to their
parents, on either Of them, and from and 10
those from whom such parents or either Of
them. may inherit or transmit inheritance,
anything in the laws OF such state 80 the con-
trary Notwithstanding: Pr0uided That nothing
herein shah be construed as implying that any
SUCH marriage IS not Valid or such issue leyiti-
mate for all other purposes. This act Shall take
effect and be in force from and after its PASS
age"
PROPOSED NEW LIQUOR LAW.
Mr.. Monroe, Of Ohio, introduced a bill in the
House yesterday which imposes a fine OF not
less than 500, or imprisonment in the District
tail for not less than thirty days. or both, at the
discretion OF the court. upon any one who shall
sell intoxicating drinks to minors without the
written order of the parent or guardian, or to
intoxicated persons, or persons in the habit OF
getting intoxicated. Ii gives the Superinten-
dent Of police power. when satisfied that any
saloon or public house has violated the law, to
authorize any member Of the force TO enter such
places, arrest the propretorS and seize ali dis
TILED, sermeDted or other intoxicating drinks
found, and carry the parties arrested and liu-
uorS seized before the Police Court for trial.
and, upon conviction, the liquors shall be de-
stroyed and the parties punished as above men,
TONED. The Commissioners OF the District are
authorized to withdraw licenses when they are
satisfied that the law has been violated Places
where riots occur. or where, by reason of use OF
lntoXicantS. the lives or peace OF the public are
endangered, are TO be closed peremptoriiy.
ANOTHER SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ELL.
Mr.. Springer introduced q bill yesterday.
which authorizes any person owning real pro-
perty in the District, who claims that he has
suffered by reason Of special Improvements of
streets and highways. whether such improve
mentS were made under the board of public
works or under the Commissioners OF the Dis
trct OF Columbia, and who has not paid the
special asseSSalcn, for such special improve
ment, 10 lile an application in writing with the
commissioners for a revision OF assessments.
After the Commissioners shall have decided, a
right OF appeal is given 10 the supreme Court
OF the District. The act also provides that suits
heretofore brought touching special assess
mentS may be prosecuted to 1inal Judgment.
and the rights OF all parties are fully preserved
i'll TIE act.
ARCHBISHOP PURCEIL.-The Catholic TsLegralh