Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-25
District Government Affairs.
RAILROAD TRACKS IN THE DISTRICT.

concentrations as to legislation required con-
OF Columbia, state that the bill provides only
Tor uniting the two tracks OF the B. AMI o.
railroad outside the city limits named The
more important object Is the removal OF the
depot from ifs present lOcation-a measure en-
ti1ely stricken out OF the amended bill. The
commissioners apprehend that partial leg1Sla-
ton Of this kind viii, in effect, be removal or
recognition OF the right Of the company 10
maintain the depot where Ill. now IS, and
they regard Ii as more desirable 10 De
lay legislation rather than incur this danger.
They say that the entire section OF the city
lying between the Capitol and Massachusetts
avenue is materially damaged, its Improvement
delayed, and In many cases paralyzed oy the
existence of the present depot ana the tracks
leading to it. The Commissioners see no effect
ual remedy except through the removal OF
tracks and depot to the north OF Massachusetts
avenue and say: 1.-THE legal rights OF the COM
pany are fully discussed in the opinion on that
subject prepared by the District attorney and
already transmitted to you. Whatever these
existing rights may be should be compromised
with the end In view OF the improvement of
private property in the neighborhood of the
capitol. While the depot and tracks are located
as they now are even grading the streets cannot
be completed" The Commissioners sug-
adopted, and any rights of the company to
payment for costs arising from the removal of
the depot ard change OF tracks, be settled by
reference for Judicial determination in the
Court Of Claims. The company being author
tied to bring suit there, would have the Oppor-
tunity to prove its actual expenditures, and
contract, thus securing justice as between the
company and the United States. There is the
same need for an application of the plenary
power of Congress in the case Of the Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad company, the presence
OF whose depot and tracks in its present lOca-
ton causes great damage and danger to the
people OF the city, as much SO as in
the case of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
Justice to the people OF South Washington aud
to the best interests of the city, demand the
removal Of the depot and tracks TO a location
south OF Maryland avenue, or, as suggested In
the Commissioners last report to Cong
greSs, to the neghbOrhOod of reservation 40.
The "Man " Is practically severed and de-
StrOyed by the tracks covering it. and the orig
1nal design Of "a continuous park from the Capt.
toll to the Executive Mansion is defeated The
commissioners are unable to give estimates of
the costs and damages to the company arising
from the changes OF the depot and tracks, as
Careful examinations and measurements by
competent engineers would be required, a work
involving considerable time. The submission
OF claims to the Court OF Claims would afford
the company an opportunity to submit proof
On these points.
TEE OLEoMARGERINE ELL APPROVED BY THE
PRESIDENT.
Ino PRESIDENT to-day approved the act ':fOr
the protection daiTymen and to prevent de-
CeptlOn in sales Of butter and cheese in the Dis
trict OF Co umbia." The District Commission
erS, 10 whom this act was referred by the pre- =
ident before approval, reported on it as follows:
- he Commissioners herewith return Senate
bill No. 1924 for the protection of dairymen'
ton, and have the honor to say they see no rea-
son why 1t should not be approved
AmuseInents. DC.
NATIONAL Observation-Disclosures" will be
gwen Tor The last time at The National this eve
ming. Washington has had nothing i'm the dra-
matte line this season that equals DIPLOMACY
as produced by the Warde- BARRYMORE combina-
ton. 1t is highly interesting play, presented
In an excellent manner by trained corps of
artists. All who have not seen Diplomacy,
VIII do well TO go to the National tonight
ODD FELLOWS HALL-Next Tuesday evening
a grand sociable will be given here in aid OF a
new pastoral residence for the Fathers OF st.
D0m1nicS church.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.-At the first con-
cert, TO be given on the evening OF the Goth. at
this church by the Philharmonic Society the
following programme will be given:-Christus,
by Misunderstanding; Power of Song, by Rombery;
Crusaders. by Gade. o.
THE MIDGETs.-These marvels are to stay with
US another week. They have by no means be-
come Old attractions in Washington. There are
many who have not seen them and many who
have had that pleasure who want to see them
agaln. Thelr receptions are from to 1870 each
afternoon and from to each evening
THEATER COAIQUE.-AS usual on SATURDAYS
The Com1que will give an extra good entertain
ment this evening.
ANNUAL BALL Of the Washington City HB
society, No See advertisement 1t Is the
intention or the gentlemen having charge OF the
pail 10 make 1t In every way worthy OF the es-
taollshed reputation OF this popular society.
Only SIX MONTHS IN JAIL FOR SERIOUSLY
turning CHILD WITH RED Hot IRoNs-About
four weeks ago Lieut.. Noonan, of the sth pre-
ctnCt, was called upon to arrest one Ella Bow
ser, young colored woman living in the east
eT cl paII OF the city, on the charge (made by a
nefghbor, Mary Jane BraXton) of cruelty burn
ing young c0loTed girl, named Mary T. j.
StokeS. with hot fat-tron, inflicting some Sc
we're WOUNDS, which Will leave scars on her dur
ing ner lie. Mrs. BoWSer was re presented by
&C unset who entered plea Of guilty, and rected
IN mitigation that Ella had, in the heat OF pas
slCn, done wrong act, which she was very
sorry FOR; but that She had been aggravated
the girl being of a very bad disposition, unru,y
and malicious. He asked that a small fine be
imposed. Mr.. Coyle, for the government, stated
lnat he had no desire to have the woman I'M
necessarily punished, inasmuch as plea of
guilty had been entered. He desired the court
10 know that in the heat OF passion alluded to
sne had seized an almost red hot fiat-iron and
made four distinct impr1ntS upon the naked per-
son or the g1rl-one on her abdomen, one each
ON the heshy part Of her thighs, and one on her
BACK Inc sufferer had just been able to get
out TO attend court. The court thought this a
100 serious offence to pass over lightly and SEN
fenced her TO SIX months in Jail. Appeal noted.
THE ARLINGTON EJECTMENT SUIT-In the
case OF Lee agt. kauffman-the Arlington eS-
tate electment caSe-on trial at Alexandria be-
lore the U. 5. Circuit Court Judge Hughes
Yesterday, the general practice OF the direct
tax commissioners of refusing to accept taxes
from others than the owners or those personally
interested was proven, as also the refusal n
accept taxes in this case. 1t was deyelOped
during the testimony that the will OF the late
G. W. p. Gusts had been lost, probably taken
nom the courthouse Of Alexandria county
during its occupancy by the federal forces and
to-day evidence will be produced to prove the
loss With this exception the testimony is
all In.
NEW DOMINICAN ONvENT-Mr. Rockford of
Baltimore, has prepared the plans for the new
convent or the dominican Fathers, to be erected
Immediately south OF st. DOminic'S Church II
Will mont 9th street, and communicate with the
church through one OF the chapelS 1t viii be a
double house, OF brick, with stone facingS three
stories high, with Mansard roof and will con-
tain thlTty-SlX rooms, some OF which will be
very large, having folded or sliding doors, so
that, II necessary, large hall can be made
avallable.s 1t Is proposed to have accommo-
cations Tor about ten priests, as also room for
dominican Missionary Fathers passing through
the city.
IHE ICE BLoCKADE.-River men report that
the tnaW continues On the Potomac, and prom
lseS soon to result In an open channel and re-
sumption or river travel and trade. The ice
between this city and Alexandria is becoming
quite rotten and shows signs of breaking up'
Inc Alexandria Gazette says the ice between
that city and QuanticO is very rotten and op
poses no obstacle, except near Fort Washing
ton. Between QuanticO and Maryland Point
there is no Ice, but In Nanjemoy Reach it is
blocked. and the tugs Mary Lewis and Comet
were unable to get through 1t, and returned TO
QuanticO Thursday.