National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-07-07
THE DISTRICT IN CONGRESS.
Many Bills Introduced, Few Passed, and the
Most Jmporfant Loft Untouched.

Most Important Left Untouched.
More than 100 bills relating to the districts
affairs have been introduced In congress dur
ing the past year, although not more than
thirty.hvc have been passed, or even reported.
In the excitement attending the adjournment
nothing has or will be done, although there
are several important bills yet awaiting action.
Tho district committees OF both houses have
closed up business for the session, and have
turned their attention to individual interests.
one reason for the small amount Of business
transacted Is said to be the lack OF sympathy
or cooperation of the two committees.
The work on the FREQ bridge bill Is n good
| illustration, for MS sure rs any legislation was
accomplished by one committee on this bill the
other committee would refuse to concur, and
thus the bill fingered and lay In the commit
| tees for many months before anything was
done with 1t. The railway problem was dis
| cuSSCd In the senate committee during the
entire session. Citizens petitions revived the
question every two or three days nld large
| Indignation meetings were held weekly, Au,
| thortics were quoted. experts examined, anu
the subject thoroughly ventilated, yet the
| bill is In no better shape or nearer becoming
Although there are about 200 available sites
| I'm this city where II suita BILE postoilce Dulld-
ing could be erected, the bill providing Tor
such an cdicc still lies In the. pgeonI,hoies OF
! the senate committee on public buildings ana
grounds, and is likely to be found there cen
| fury hence The present quarters OF the city
posloflcu are IN no wise adapted 10 us use, the
| increasing business Is crowded beyond meas
urppthU work is delayed by reason of an insuf-
| iCcut force, and collapse oil inc rickety
building ut any time would cause but little
| surprise.
| house some weeks ago, and which Is one OF
the most important bills introduced for the dis
trict is before the senate, and unless action is
taken to-day, will be there until next session.
number of important measures hayf been
| ft,tr nh no
which are the sewer bills, bill for protection
of children. the Fourth of I11y claims bill, free
bridge bill bill for. payment of outstanding
claims, mechanics ,letA ibill several bills ex'
eating ac%s gid settling titles.
"Thc house district committee has done very
wclg thtnk," said Mr., Wilson, a member OF
Der Of bills still In the committee, but the
most important ones have been disposed Of"
How many bills have been introduced in
| the hOusc?
About sixty, l think"
How many have been passedT'
About twenty"
The house committee probably spent more
time considering district business than the
calling tor TN investigation Into district Affairs
| occupied great deal of time, but for some
reason nothing was done, although there were
| several members who were in favor of the in
|
| the result Of his efforts, and had intended Il
| introduce another resolution, in which he was
! supported by Senator Morgan, who also be
| lieved that an investigation was necessary.
| OF the bills passed by the house the most
| important are the police bill for the payment
| of the claim of Outbri1gc Horsey assgnce fol
the relief of st. Lukc's church; approprlatng
| SjO0000 for completion Of sewerage systcm fol
| the relief of John Connolly: TO vacatc alley IN
| square 23i: to amend chapter 20 relating tC
| mechanics lien: to authorize the Southern
| Maryland railway to extend its lines into thu
district; for the protection of game; TO protect
fish and prohibiting net fishing for five years
| approprinting S25O,0O for Improvement o
Potomac harbor, which was increased to $500,
900 by the senate, and few others
OF the bills yet awaiting action and lying in
| committee nrc the free bridge bill and bill fol
! the protection of children also u bill to allow
| certain claims for work done underline board o
public works to be filed and prosecuted Besides
| these there II numbcrOf unimportant ones pro
vidlng for payment of small claims.
The claims for damages done by improve
| mcnts under the board of public works which
were fought b. the commissioners when pre-
scntcd IN congress have been killed. for 0nl,
one clalm--that OF Mrs. Patterson-was al
| lowed.