Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-22
The Dis.ric, in Congress.
BAD RESULT OF THE NEW HOUSE RULE ABOLISH
ING DISTRICT DAY.

BAD RESULT OF THE NEW HOUSE RULE ABOLISH
ING DISTRICT DAY.
When the new rules were pending In the
House for its action, the District OF Columbia
committee held a meeting and discussed the
question whether they should antaeonize so
much of the proposed rules as abolished what is
known rs District Of Columbia day, {the third
Monday in each month";, or offer an amend
ment looking to the retention of those days,
which after two O'Clock in the afternoon gave
the District committee the undisputed right to
claim the floor. The subject was discussed with
q good deal Of eaTneStneSS by the committee,
and decision was reached tnat the committee
would not insist on the days heretofore &C
corded it by the old rules, but would take its
chances with the other standing committees OF
the House. 1t Is to be doubted now if there is a
single member OF the District committee who
does not think mistake was made in not in
sisting upon the old rule which gave the Dis
trict committee its recognition on days set
apart for District business. The new rules have
been in force more than fortnight, and the ex-
they will work to disadvantage, especially so
far as the consideration OF District matters by
the House is concerned. All OF the committees
thus far called in advance of the District
with sufficient public business to engage
the attention OF Congress for months, and when
the District committee is reached it can only
report Its business to 60 on the calendar, and
at the foot of the great number Of bills with
which the calendar is already loaded. In view
of this unfortunatlh condition OF affairs the
chances for any Legislation Of real benefit to the
District are exceedingly slim. The new NUM-
ciral code upon which the full committee spent
more than half month, and subcommittee
more than two months, will hardly have any
OIL eT consideration than to be reported and go
to the House catacombs-the calendar. An
other impol tant bill, and one in which Prest-
dent Hayes and Chairman Hunton take spe-
cial interest uhe bill to improve the Potomac
channeD will also be jeopardized unless. indeed,
Chairman Hunton succeeds In having the COM
mittee on commerce put an appropriation for
commencement imOr0V1mpnt
river and harbor bill. Right here it ought to
be added In parenthesiS that the District has no
better friend than Gen. Hunton, and it embar-
raises him more than enough to realize that the
existing rules of the House preclude him from
doing for the District what ought to be done.
There is one bill pending, however, which will
be passed under suspension of the rules on
some Monday not too far in the future-tbat is
the bill to increase the police force, OF the Dis
trict Speaker Randall will join Chairman
Hunton In every way in his power to advance
this bill, and ii may be passed on Monday next.
THE BILLS Now PENDING
on the calendar of the House affecting the in
terests OF the District are the following: A bill
to locate and purchase new site for United
States naval observatory; bill to provide for
the increase OF the Metropolitan police force of
the District of Columbia; bill to prohibit the
publishing Of lottery schemes in the District of
Columbia, and for other purposes.
The Senate bills OF District interest which are
with the House on their final and second read
into the public schools OF the District. This bill
is the one conceived by Senator Burnside, of
Rhode Island. Another is the bill TO amend an
act to reoTganiZe the courts OF the District, ap-
proved March Sd, 1868.
THE DISTRICT APPROPRIATIONS.
The District OF Columbia committee of the
House is now engaged In reviewing and revising,
the estimates of the District Commissioners for
the support of the District for the next fiscal
year. The committee is inclined to be very
LIBERAL There was good deal of opposition
manifested to making any further appropriation
for an inspector Of gas, but the committee has
finally agreed to advocate the appropriation for
his salary.
THE SUBJECT OF STREET RAILWAYS.
The Senate District committee to-day agreed
to report adversely the bill to incorporate the
Suburban Street Railway company. Quite a
discussion took place upon the subject of street
railways. which Indicated that the committee
are not inclined to grant any new charters,
except, perhaps, in cases where companies are
ready to proceed without delay in the work Of
construction. 1t Is apparent that no charters
will be granted to be held Indefinitely either for
speculation or with the view Of building in case
II might appear profitable. The committee are
put down on the same street. The proposed
charter of the Suburban Railway gave 1t right
OF way over numerous streets. The bill was re-
ported adversely to the Senate.
THE DISTRICT ESTIMATES.
The House committee ON the District to-day
completed the revision of the estimates SUBJ
mftted by the District Commissioners for the
support of the District for the next fiscal year.
The revised estimates will be referred to the
In the Sundry civil appropriation bill. The Dis
trict committee have made but few changes in
the estimates, and have increased some OF the
Items. notably for the support of the Metro
OOlltaD notice force.