National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-05-13
CURRENT CAPITAL TOPICS.
Night Session of the House on the
District Code.
MIR. Conger's Views on Railroad Transfers
Sunday Papers-The Police Force-Sev-
oral District bills Reportcd-Post-
ofiios Appropriation Bill
star Routes Restored
by the Committee.
Congress Yesterday.

During the morning hour in the senate Mr..
Harris introduced bill TO compensate the trustees
of the Louise home for certain Improvements and
for damages TO real estate.
Mr.. Wallace reported the postofTico appropria-
ton bill with certain amendments, and gave
notice that he would call It up to-day.
The consideration of the bill to provide for ascer-
tanning and settling private land claims In certain
states aud territories was resumed but not con-
cludod ut the expiration of the morning hour,
when tho Spolbrd-Kclogg resolution was taken
up and Mr.. Hill, Of Georgia, concluded his speech
Senator Hampton rose to follow, but yielded to
motion for an executive session, which con-
tinued for somo time aud the senate then adj
journod.
The speaker, after the reading of the journal of
the house. proceeded at once to call committees for
reports in the morning hour, and some slNty-hye
or seventy bills were reported and placed on the
several calendars.
The house then resumed the consideration OF tho
legislative executive and judicial appropriation
bill, and considerable progress was made before
4S0 o'clock, when the house took recess TIL 73O
o'clock.
Tho evening session was for Tho consideration Of
the District code. An amendment was agreed 10
fixing the maximum iine for selling liquor to
minors or between midnight and O'clock a. M, at
500, and tho minimum iin at Sl5 The minimum
fine cannot under tho law be appealed from If inn
posed in the police court.
When the question ofstrcet railroads was reached
Mr. Conger asked If there was anything In the bill
in relation TO street-car transfer tickets. He then
Washington Il Georgetown railroad company.
whose agents at the Seventh -strcet junction he
said were insolent and imperinent sconndrels,
necessarily. He had notified the officers of the
company that lie would call the attention of con-
gress TO this subject Oh the first opportunity, and
the opportunity was now afforded. He offered the
| following amendment: ut shall be the duty of all
conductors of sreet'cars In said city Of Washing
ton at tho places of all crossings of connecting car
| lines whore continuous transfer passes are given
70 passengers to give to any passenger requesting
the same for transfer purposes transfer pass be-
! fore such passenger leaves the car to make such
transfer"
Explanations were made thata necessity existed
for the transfer agents, otherwise the transfers
were made merchandise of and went into the
| hands of persons not entitled to receive them.
Mr.. Conger thought 1t easy to prevent this with
out subjecting passengers To annoyance and in
suit. By competent management of its affairs tho
| company could protect itself without imposing in.
| digntics upon its passengers.
Tho amendment was adopted with but little op-
position
| When the clause was reached prohibiting the
| crying of wares on Sunday Mr. Cook asked II that
! applied to newsboys selling their papers on Sun
| day.
| SIr. Hunton replied he understood 1t to be the
| neWsboys that were aimed at There were COM
plants made against The disturbance created on
| Sunday morning.
bells as annoying as the newsboys' cry The clause
was retained in the bill.
The clause in relation to the police force of the
| District guYo rise to considerable debate.
| Mr.. Aldrich moved all amendment providing
that at least seyenty.fve per cent OF ali appoint.
ments hereafter made and prior to January l, 1885,
| shall be made from persons who have served in
| the army or navy, and who were honoraby dis
| charged, and such persons having tho requisite
physical and other qualifications, may be ap-
pointed after a residence Of three months III the
District.
| In the course of his remarks Mr.. Aldrich charged
that the only pronounced politician in the board
| of commissioners was democrat, and that there
were more ex.confederates than union men en-
ploycd by the District government
| Mr.. Hunton offered u substitute that no person
shall be appointed who had not served In the vol
unteer service ip the army or navy of the United
States provided that the efficiency OF the police
force is not impaired by the appointments from the
| army or navy. Rejected.
| The question recurring on Mr.. AdriCh's amend
| ment It was not sustained, but the point OF order
was raised thnt there was not quorum voting, and
| the house took recess until 1880 a. ~
The legislative appropriation bill will come up at
onco on the reassembling of the house, and at 10
o'clock Mr. Springer will take the floor to reply 10
| the remarks of Mr. orth few days since oil the
| Vnnpyuplnn matters