Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-09
THE DISTRICT IN CONGRESS-.
Bills which Failed to Pass at the Inst
Congress.

Bills Which Failed to Pass at the Last
Congress.
IMPORTANT MEASURES WHICH WILL PROBABLY
BE RENEWED THIS SESSION.
Among the mass of bills left over from the
last Congress were some twenty-six or seven re-
lating to matters of District interest Some of
these perhaps most of them, will probably be
regarded as OF sufficient Importance to be REIN
troduced in the present Congress.
TAX SALES, ETC.
One of the most important OF all the District
measures which died with the last Congress
was the bill relating to sales for taxes 1t pre-
vided that If property sold for taxes was not re
deemed within two years from the date of sale
then the purchaser should be entitled 10 deed
from the Commissioners, and that unless suit
should be brought within two years after the
execution and record of such deed to annul the
same, such deed should vest complete ana valid
title in the purchaser.
This bill went to q conference committee,
where all differences were adjusted. The con-
the last hours of the Senate 1t failed to receive
sanction there. The bill will be renewed.
The bill in regard to the conveyance and de-
wise of real estate, which was introduced by re-
quest of some OF the members OF the bar, was
reported to the Senate, but never considered.
The chances are that the same parties who ORR
ginally procured its introduction will renew
their efforts in its behalf
The bill to establish a chaplaincy of the Jail
was reported adversely in the senate and Is not
likely to be renewed.
STEAM RAILROADS IN THE CITY.
The bill to define the routes of steam rail-
roads In the city, which contemplated union
depot, will no doubt be reintroduced. Mr.. In
gals introduced the original bill, and Mr.. Nor
rill submitted a substitute. There was quite n
controversy in committee over the bill and
various delegations of interested parties were
given hearings, but the measure never got out
CLAIMS AGAINST THE DISTRICT.
Another bill of local interest introduced by
Mr.. Ingalls,, and which will most likely be re-
me wed, was that to amend the ninth section of
the act providing tor the settlement of out
standing claims against the District, and con-
ferring jurisdiction on the Court of Claims to
hear the same.
THE TITLE TO THE POTOMAC FLATS.
Senator Aldrich will doubtless renew his
efforts to secure legislation for the protection of
government interests in the Potomac fats.
This bill made it the duty of the Attorney Gen.
erai to promptly institute suit against all per-
sons asserting any right, title, claim or interest
in the Potomac fats, and provided that until
the determination OF such suit or suits no more
money should be expended on the flats inn
provement The bill was reported favorabiy
from the judiciary committee, but in the press
of business of the last days was never reached
on the calendar.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES.
Another bill that did not reach consider
alton directed the establishment OF evening
schools in the District.
The bill making each 18th of March on which
Inauguration takes place a legal holiday in the
District passed the Senate, but failed in the
The bill declaring. the meaning of a former
act on the subject to be that all property Of
Howard university should be exempted from
taxation was reported favorably in the Senate
but never passed. The friends OF the university
will no doubt endeavor to have it considered
The Senate passed the bill providing that a
testator might, in his will, release his executor
or executors from giving bond, but it failed in
TT The eIi regulatiag the practice Of dentistry in
ably reported by the Senate committee, but was
not considered in the Senate. 1t will be re-
newed.
The House passed the bill extending the time
formerly granted the Southern Maryland rail-
road to enter the District, but it failed in the
senate. The measure will be reintroduced.
The bill to amend the laws relating TO land
others connected with the making and alb
stracting of titles, was not considered.
person to prepare a criminal code for the Dis
trict passed the House and was favorably re-
ported from the Senate committee but was not
The House passed the bill giving the bodies of
paupers, when not claimed by relatives or
friends. to the medical colleges, and it was
reached on the calendar.
The bill to amend the charter Of the National
Safe Deposit company, and that for the relief of
St. Marks church. also failed, and the chances
are that both will be revived.
The House passed the bin relating to acknOwl-
edgments OF conveyances OF land in the Dis
trict, and it received a favorable report from
the Senate committee, but it failed. 1t legal
lied various deeds Of conveyance and other
instruments OF writing relating to land in the
District.
The police regulation bill passed the House,
and after mature consideration in the Senate
committee was tavorably reported, but in the
last days of the session it failed.
The bill to confirm an order OF the Commits
siOners closing Meridian avenue, in the county,
was reported adversely.
THE FREE BRIDGE BILL
of Senator Riddleberger and that of Mr.. Bar
bour on the same subject were among the left
over matters. The Riddleberger bill to con-
struct q bridge at the Three Sisters passed the
Senate, and in the House Mr.. Barbour, from the
District committee, submitted a substitute
providing for the purchase of the Aqueduct
bridge. The measure failed in the House. Sem
ator Riddleberger has again introduced the
bill, and says he will push it along.