Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-10
Di.trtct Government Affairs.

Commissioner Phelps, who has been suffering
for some months with rheumatism, Will leave
this city Tonight for few weeks, vlsit 10 me
cur alive qualities Of the waters there will give
MIN relief. No one will accompany him.
In answer to a communication from the
health ofIicer requesting an analysts of water
suspected to contain lead, from the premises of
Prof. Gilbert, at LIE Droit park, s. j. De Smedt,
found to be entirely free Of lead and zinc.
The number Of drawback certificates issued
by Mr., Roome, IN charge OF revisions of special
assessments, up to O'clock to-day, was 1850,
aggregating in amount S243.57 "a.
ANNUAL REPORT OF ATTORNEY RIDDLE
Mr.. A. G. Riddle, attorney for the District,
has submitted his annual report to the District
Commissioners. He states that at the time of
making the annual report last year, there were
pending In the Supreme Court of the United
states three important cases, in which the va
board OF public works was directly involved.
since then the Mattingly case and the 7th street
ROAD case, known as the Shoemaker case. have
been decided, DEGREES having been given for the
District In both cases. The remaining case,
known as the Columbus Alexander case will be
reached and disposed Of at the term Of the court
.These decisions, v 18th the recent legislation of
congress, must dispose Of the dreary, eXpen-
stve, proftless and vexatious mass Of litigation
so burdensome to the District. The affirmation
Of the assessments by Congress overrides the
question Of invalidity, while the power to
revise on demand of property owners destroys
tuC cSCuoC VI appealing W IQo courts.
Thirty-fou cases in equity have been settled
under this legislation and those DECISIONS and
the case OF WEIGH agt. the District " to enjoin
the collection Of general tax has also been
tried and decided in favor of the District The
District has now four cases pending In the Su-
preme Count of the United States. The Camp
the appeal OF the plaintiff. Mr.. Riddle says he
hopes to have the Nun tagh case, which was ap-
pealed by the District, heard soon in the gen
eral term: OF the Strong cases, he states that
jdatn
case was set aside In the general term, and the
cases now stand severaly for trial ON the orig
maj pleadlngs. The report refers also to the
status OF other cases, saying that the case OF
the District against the Washington Market
company, to recover the annual payment
to the District Of $4,000, under the
highway to the Supreme Court of the United
states, where he is confident the decision Of
the Court In General Term will be reversed:
Term, will recettle the question of the validity
OF the ordinances of the late board of health In
favor OF their legality, sand enable us to deal
with the bone boilers" The report also refers ed
all parties are seemingly well siit.:s.Ae d with
Judge Hagner's ruling. The Commissioners
may congratulate themselves that in this i'm
them. With the exception of the Muir
tagh case no one has received a large YER
dict, while most Of the plaintiffs have failed
of since last report, 70; new civil cases COM
menCed, 81; the District teing plaintiff In only
one case. Gases now pending, 26O-law, 119;
equity, IA: Criminal cases disposed Of, IS;
pending GO: amount OF judgments, S9l5;
collected, $751; .26. Cases tried in Police Court,
1924; amount of fines imposed, $22, $50.
Referring to the act of February 25, 1879, by
which tie District, in common with the per-
sons residing in 1t, has seemingly lost the right
to take case to the supreme Court of the
United States where the money value involved
is less than $500, the report says that the act
should be SO amended as to permit the District
to take one of special class to the Supreme
Court, whatever may be the amount involved.
The reports of special Assistant j. E. Padgett
of the business In the Police Court, and E. C.
Ingersoll, esq.,, who has charge of the revision
OF the laws OF the District are submitted. The
latter shows very advanced state OF work.
Mr.. Riddle renewS the recommendations of his
last annual report as to the compensation OF
the chief and assistants Of this office, saying:
eleven months additional experience shows
that we can do nothing else In the professions
but the duties Of the office. 1t shows also that
other business generally does not seek US. l
also recommend that an allowance of at least
5000 be made for the rent OF this office. l think
it is the only public Office in the United States
national, state or municipal, not thus provided
for"