Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-29
District Government Affairs.

oon. Ii. VI. WTlgnO, president or the commits
SION 10 repaVe pennsylvania avenue tod 4,
sent 10 the District Commissioners a COPY OF :
Ielter written by him to the Secretary OF the
treasury, advising him of the inspection of re-
cent repairs 10 That avenue, and notifying tn,
commissioners that this avenue has en- fIlrEe
control.
Insoector Entwisle this morning issued ar
order to Joseph Robinson for wniteWashlnc
schools In the first district for the sum of s35
ID. NJ tTaln, for painting schools In the second
first district for sos. so.
The health cfticer's report for the week end
lng July 24th, shows AS nuisanceS abated la
that time; burials at public expense, G; tons OF
1856; animals impounded, 10S; redeemed. Il;
Killed, ca; In pound. Al.
BIDS WERE OPENED TODAY
In the Office OF the District Commissioners for
the. erection OF two new school buildings, one
TO be on the Bladensburg road and one al
InlOntoWn. The bids for the former were as
follows: E. Gordon, 1921; B. c. King, So, 100; r.
Downing, 1888; j. l. Corrigan, So 234; Angus
Driscoll, $, sos, and L. D. Phillips, $500. The
bids for the UniOntOwn school were as follows:
q. Gordon, S1,19S; b. G. King. S6,9.5; r. Down
Ing. 50 49, j. |. Corrigan, 81 600; Ridon & Drs-
were made.
OF INTEREST TO TAXPAYERS.
District Commissioner Dent as president OF
the Board OF Commissioners, to day forwarded
" tOllCltUI UUllu r. LOOK CQc IOiI0WtQg:
SIR:--At the last session OF Congress the
commissioners, after very urgent solicitation
procured the passage on 18th June, 1850, of an
amendatory act extending the operation OF the
first section of the act OF 9th June. 1879 to Ist
January next. The committees On the District
or Columbia in both houses OF Congress- to
whose kind and considerable action in this and
other matters affecting District interests the
commissioners and citizens OF the District are
much Indebted, were emphatic In declaring til lt
InlS extension was the last measure OF reIiPf to
tNx r-I11a
mended to Congress. The Commissioners think
IL proper TO give you this Information in order
lnat you may on all proper OCCASIONS impress on
ta2payers The Importance OF promptly awaiting
themselves OF the relief now within their reach
Tne attorney for the District, copy of whose
op1nion4S herewith enclosed now rules that the
acts above referred to sweep away al penalties,
including the penalty Of 80 per cent for failure
10 make return Of personal property for taxa
tion."
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUNDAY LAWS.
The series of tnterrogatorles propou nded to
the District Commissioners on the l4th Instant
Dy Kew. A. +. Mason, In behalf OF the protestant
churches of the District OF Columbia, respectful
the Sabbath laws OF this District. with a re.
quest that the attorney for the District be in
structed to furnish them with an opinion, T.,
was referred 10 Attorney Riddle, and by him
referred to his assistant, Mr.. Padgett. who
makes answer as follows I'm October 1928 the
legislature OF Maryland passed law providing
shall work or do any bodily labor on the Lords
day, commonly called Sunday, and that no per-
son having children. servants or slaves shall
command, or Willingly or willingly suffer any.
OF them to do any manner of work or labor on
the LORDS day, works Of necessity and char
1ty always excepted nor shall suffer or per-
mt any children, servants or slaves to profane
lne LORDS day, by gaming, fishing, towing
hunting. or unlawful pastimes or recreationS;
ana that every person transgre5sing this act
ana being thereof convicted BY the oath of Que
Su1lclent witness, or confession OF the party
before a single magistrate. shall forfeit two
hundred pounds OF tobacco, to be levied and
applied as aforesaid" This law was in ror:. in
Maryland In 1o01 and has never been modified
or repealed by any act OF Congress or law OF
Congress OF ISL continues in force Within The
D!stflct all the laws OF the state of Maryland
lot inconsistent with that act Ia force Ia lSO1
! have 10 doubt that this provision Is still the
law In this District, though have never heard
OF any prosecution under it. In Washington
city there are laws prohibiting the keeping omen
OF DarroomS and barber-shopS, and the wash
Ing or vehicles on the streets on Sunday In
the selling OF any kind OF merchandise, except
Ing drugs and medicines, are unlawful In the
county no person is permitted to sell any article
whatever except medicines These are the Only
laws ln force relating to the Sabbath
VITAL STATISTICS.
The total mortality in the District for the
week ending Saturday, July 9th, 1850, was 49,
rs less than the week previously, or at the rate
Oh PISS per 1000 per annum. OF tie decetants
20 were white males, 16 white fen ales. Is col.
ored males and % colored females showing
an annual death rate or 1916 per 1000 for the
White and 1896 for the colOred population
sixteen white and % colored were under years
OF age; white and 5 colored 60 and over
There were 81 births reported-15 white males
% white females, 81 cOlOred males and Is c1ored
1emaIeS, showing an annual birth rate OF 20.07
per 900 for the white and 3. SO for the colOred
populatlon. Marriages reported, 16-white, 49,
cOlOTed, g.