National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-01-31
DISTRICT MArrERs IN CONGRESS.
Bills Passed by the House Yesterday.
RrIIrr Enp TILE pnnn

RELIEF FOR THE POOR.
The joint resolution reported to the House
yesterday by Mr., Davis Call and passed, ap.
propriates the sum of $4,000 to be used in en-.
ploying the poor of the District in the work Of
filling up and placing in good sanitary condi-
ton the ground south of the Capitol along the
line of the old canal. Tho District Commits
sioners are to determine the plan of said work.
The further sum of 5000 is appropriated for
the purpose of providing medical attendance
and medicine and food for the sick and infrm
poor of the District to be disbursed under the
direction of the District Commissioners.
The Commissioners are also authorized to
xpend $4,000 for the relief Of the poor of the
District, $500 of which shall come from the
Centre Market rent aud 81 500 from the gem
eral fun of the District.
INTERCHANGEABLE CAR TICKETS
The bill concerning street railroads provides
that tickets good for fare not exceeding five
cents issued by one street railroad shall be good
upon any other street railroad wherein a fare
not exceeding five cents is receivable aud
every such corporation SHALL once in week,
redeem all such tickets issued by IL which shall
be presented by any other such corporation by
paying therefor at the ratio Of four cents in
money for each ticket so presented.
Any failure to comply with the above pro.
vision will subject the offending road to for
feituro for each ticket which II shall so refuse
the sum of 81, to be recovered in action of tort
by the person or corporation presenting the
same to his or its own use.
1t Is further provided that all street railroad
corporations who have for the past year issued
communication tickets Mt aless rate than charged
for single fare shall continue to issue the
same.
LEGALIZING SLAVE MARRIAGES,
The bill dcclaratory of the law relating to
descents and inheritance in the District of Co.
lumbia in certain cases is bill which has
passed the Senate and only requires tho Presi-
dents signature to become u law. II egti-
matizes for purposes of inheritance and other
purposes the issue of former slaves who were
married according to any custom that pre-
vailed in the State where the marriage oc-
CURED.
CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES.
The joint resolution authorizing the Com
mlss0ners of the District to receive and report
upon unadjusted claims for damages to real
estate in the District of Columbia that have
not heretofore been presented to the board of
audit was amended by adding provso that
the passage of the resolution should not be
deemed or taken rs In any manner committing
the United States to the payment of such
claims or as recognizing their justice or
legality.
AN ABANDONED STREET.
The bill to abandon portion of Rock street.
in Georgetown, abandons so much of said street
as public highway as lies north of Bridge
street. south of Olive street. and west of Nom
roe street, aud vests the title to the land here
tofore occupied by said Rock street between
the limits aforesaid in the owners of tho lots or
parcels Of land on either side thereof and
abuttng thereon rcspectively-that is to say,
from the front line of their said lots parcels of
land to the centre of said street. and in their
heirs or assigns forever and such lands shall
hereafter be subject to taxation, and be taxed in
the same manner and to the same extent as
other lands in said city of Georgetown
LOCATION OF THE CITY POST OFFICE.
The House Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds yesterday continued the hearing
of citizens interested in the location of the
proposed new city post office. Mr.. Hovey ar
gued against placing the post office west of
Seventh street. Mr.. Pollkinhorn advocated
the erection of building on the lot at Seventh
and the Avenue, and Mr. Hamilton offered the
property known as the GonZaga College. Col
onel Piatt spoke against the use of reservations
for public buildings.
William f. Mattingly brought to the atten.
tion of the committee the advantages of the
| Centennial building, corner Twelfth street
and the Avenue, and Mr. Hoffman explained
the proposed extension, running to Eleventh
street. Mr.. Davis, of Lewis Johnsons bank
ing house, advocated this site. Mr.. White did
not believe in using reservations for publ,
buildings. Mr.. 4. A. Lambert advocated the
square bounded by Eighth and Ninth and /
and +. Mr.. Browning thought the square a
| the intersection of Seventh and the Avenue
| Mr.. Aston said the Imperial Hotel seemed t,
be the best point, and that 1t could be made
ready for the use of tho Government within