Evening star., 1880-01-20
The District i'm Congress.


The bill which passed the House yesterday to
provide for the settlement Of all outstanding
claims against the District confers jurisdiction
upon the Court of Claims to adjudicate such
claims as were presented to the old board of
audit, aAd such claims as have ausen out OF
contracts made by the District Commissioners
since the passage Of the act OF June 20, 1874;
Appeal is provided for in sums which exceed
$1,000. The Attorney General is authorized to
defend the District. No claim is to be consid-
cred which was rejected by the board OF audit.
THE POTOMAC BRIDGE BILL.
The bill to build a bridge over the Potomac
river, which passed the House yesterday ,enacts:
That the Secretary of War shall construct
bridge upon such plans as shall cost no more
than the amount herein appropriated, and which
cost shall include the construction Of substan-
tial bridge over the canal and any and all ap-
proaches to the said iron bridge; and no part OF
this appropriation shall be paid out Of the Treas
uly until contracts shall have been entered into
with responsible parties, and with good and
sufficient sureties to be approved by the Secre-
tary of War for the construction and completion
Of said bridge, including the masonry, iron work
and approaches, at cost not to exceed $40, 900:
Ans p7O1tded also, That draw of sufficient
width to permit the free passage of vessels
navigating that part Of the Potomac river shall
be constructed in said bridge, unless said bridge
shall be constructed by the side of, or up
the river from, the present aqueduct and
at the same or greater elevation above the
water: Ana p''orided also, That the sum which
may be expended under this act shall be
treated and regarded as part OF the general
expenses of the District Of Columbia, and the
United States shall be credited with the amount
which it may pay under this act for the erec-
ton OF said bridge upon its fifty per centum of
the expense of the District of Columbia, as pro-
vfded in the act of June IL, 1875 entitled " An
act providing permanent form OF government
for the District OF ColuIabia: PCrided further,
That the Secretary of War shall, as soon as may
be- fix and determine the location of said bridge,
and cause a survey of the river to be made at
such place OF location, determine the length,
width and heighth of said bridge, and the length
OF draw, if one is required. and thereupon ad-
Vert1Se for plans and price for the construction
of such bridge such advertisement to be insert
ed in one or more daily newspapers published in
Washington, ID. c., New York, Cleveland Ohio.
Philadelphia, Pa. and Chicago, ILL.,. for the space
OF one week.
THE ODD FELLOWS LOAN.
The Senate to-day passed the House bill
granting permission to the Odd Fellows of the
District to negotiate a loan based upon Odd
Fellows Hall as security.
RIVER FRONT IMPROVEMENT.
The subcommittee of the House committee
on the District of Columbia to whom has been
referred that portion OF the Presidents message
relating to the reclamation of the Potomac fats
propose to go vigorously to work to frame a bill
to make the suggested improvement. To
morrow the subcommittee will make tour of
inspection OF the water front of the city in COM
pany with the District Commissioners.
NEW GAS BILL.
A bill is in course of preparation. which con-
templates that the Washington Gas Company
shall make an annual report to Congress of
their profits, and fixing the price of the gas
furnished the United States at an advance OF
eight per cent. over and above its cost.
A HALF MILLION FOR IRISH SUPFERERs.-In
the House of Representatives to-day, Mr.. Ellis,
of Louisiana, introduced joint resolution which
was referred apprOpfaUing $500 900 for the relief
OF the suffering people of Ireland
THE CHEROKEE INDIANS now here are desirous
Of having the Ute Indians go down into the In
dian territory and live with them. They will
have an interview with Ouray and his party to
persuade them to this end. The Interior de-
partment, it is understood, would be willing to
permit the Ctes to go to the Indian territory.
REPRESENTATIVE WOODS REFusD1Ne BILL
The ways and means committee of the House
at their meeting this morning, resumed con-
sderation OF Representative Woods refunding
bill. 1t is learned that while two or three mem
bers did not take part in the discussion, those
who did were unanimously in favor OF as low a
rate OF interest as 80 per cent, two members
OF the committee even suggested that per
cent. bond might be advisable. The only differ
was as to the policy of having the bonds run
for so long period as fifty years. Upon this
point, however, the chairman feels quite conf
dent there will be no serious difficulty and thar
the committee will come to an early agreement.
possibly at the next meeting OF the committee
on Thursday.
N0MINATIoNs.-The President sent the follow
ing nominations to the Senate this afternoon:
To be postmasters Henry w. Gardiner at Prov
idence, Rhode Island; Jno. w. Brown at War
rensburgh, Mo-; Martin H. Cassel at Ell Paso,
Illinois,
SENATOR BECK will open the financial discus
sion in the Senate tomorrow at one O'Clock.
the nature OF his speech, he replied In his
usual positive manner against Bayard's res
olution in all its phases"
PERsoNAL.-Mr Webb Hayes is engaged in
collecting historical data relating to the battle
of Fort stephenson, which took place on the 2d
Of August, 1913, on the site of Fremont the
Presidents present home. .Ex-u. s. Treasu-
Hawaii to the United States, with his wife and
Miss Allen, are at the Riggs house. go. .Secre-
taly Thompson delivered lecture on 'Per-
Webster" at the First Methodist Episcopal
church in Baltimore, last night. 80. Mr.. Del
fosse, minister from Belgium to the United
States--who has been absent from his post for
some time,-arriyed in New York from Europe
yesterday, accompanied by his family. Miss
Emma Vaders, the actress, has obtained YER
dict for q 500 against the Louisville Polytechnic
Gently received severe injuries by falling
through trap-door on the stage. 49,. Ex-Rep,
resentatlve w. d. Bishop, OF Connecticut, and
Mrs. Bishop are at Wizards. "A dispatch
from London says the sister Of the Right Hon
VIM. E. Gladstone is dead Representative
DicLey. Of Ohio, who has been sick since Con-
gress met, has resumed bis congressional duties
fully restored to health. George Alfred
Townsend has new book In press
called "Tales Of the Chesapeake" Gen
eral ex-Representat1ve Reverend Green
Clay Smith has accepted the Law Professorship
in the Kentucky Military Institute. Cap
tain Howgate, of the signal service, stationed
in this city, and Deputy Internal Revenue Com
missioner Rogers, were registered in Philadel-
phia yesterday.
BISHOP LITTLEJoHNS PROHIBITIoN.-BiShOp
Littlejohn OF the Diocese OF Long Island has pro-
hibited the Rev. j. w. Sparks, an English
Episcopal clergyman, from conducting services
for small congregation of about seYenty-f1ve
persons composed, principally, of seceders from
st. Luke's Church, In Clinton avenue. Brooklyn.
MI. Sparks is an ultra high churchman, who
0ficiated as acting rector Of ST. Luke's Church
during the feeble health of its rector Dr.. Diller
Several lectures were delivered in the church
by ritualist from this city. The innovation
did not please majority of the church men,
bers. When the Rev. George r. Vanderwater
was chosen rector by the vestry Mr.. Sparks
and hi supporters engaged a vacant church
edlnce In Ormond place. The bishops letter of
prohibition prevented the holding OF service on
Sunday.-[N 7. Sun, 29H.
THE LOUISIANA SENATORSHIP.-Thed democratic
caucus in the Louisiana legislature took two
ballots last night for United States Senator