Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-08
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
Dissricf In CONGRESS.
Bull 70 AxESp THE xrcu,x,cs ,,rx,.

L.
NJ. sherman to-day introduced q bill In the SEN
ate to amend the mechanics lien law OF the Dis
tnct OF Columbia II amends the existing law so
as 70 make section read as follows
mat the lien hereby given shall be preferred TO
all Judgements, mortgages. deeds OF trust. liens
and Membranes which attach upon fne said
building, on the grounds aforesaid subsequent 10
.ns nnS OF the notice prescribed in the second sec
SPECIAL MEETING OF TIE Horsr coNxrrrrr-uru-
skRs IN FAVOR OF SECRET SESSIONS
Inc House District committee held a special
meeting to-day TO decide upon what measures
should be pressed for passage In the House on Mon
day. Before adJourning member OF the committee
SAID that the action OF the committee was too
well known: that their sessions should be secret.
and no member should say outside what happened
IN the committee room He was sustained In this
though there was opposition 70 IL from a very
rev members VINO thought the action OF the COM
mittee ought 70 be known to those who
Are directly interested. and that the commit
tee had no right 10 withhold It The CHAIR
man then Instructed the members as TO their
duty, and hoped no one would divuige any OF the
happenings The clerk was also Instructed not 10
tell any one the action taken on bills and other
the relief OF the metropolitan police and took up
the calendar and disposed OF several unimportant
Oils, the names OF which could not be learned,
owing TO the enforced secresy.
$l50, 600 FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ruk RIVER
FLATS
The river and harbor bill VIII appropriate $50 900
for the improvement OF the Washington narbor.
Out clause has been inserted In the bill providing
that the title to the land reclaimed from the Oats
must be shown to be good before the money can be
expended.
Capitol Notes.
TIE NIcARA6CAN TREATY
The published report, to the effect that the
Nicaraguan treaty has been ratified by the Senate
is mistake. The treaty has been reported back
favorably from the committee on foreign relations
nc
Miller, OF California, chairman or the foreign rela-
tons committee gave notice that he would call IL
up for action this fThursday) afternoon
From the best Information that a STAR reporter
could get to-day the Senate committee on foreign
relations reported the Nicarauguan treaty flrst,
ana nxed it ahead OF the Spanish treaty for con-
SideratiOn, because they were satisfied that 10 call
up the latter was but to invite defeat In putting
the Nicarauguan treaty ahead there is II Is said
hope OF getting 1t ratifed and OF thus arousing
sentiment that may aid In carrying the other uea-
ties through.
EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE SENATE
At 2:45 p NJ, on motion OF Mr.. Miller (CaL,, the
marking that he made the motion s.in accordance
with notice already given"
BUREAU OF oRSIrHoLoaY WANTED.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Miller, OF New York,
presented memorial OF the American ornitholo-
gists' union, praying for the establishment OF q
bureau OF ornithology as a branch OF the Agricul-
tural department. IL is signed by MesSrs. j. A.
Allen, president; Elliott Coues and Robert Ridg-
way, VICE preS10entS, ana Otnef oMciaiS Oh the
American Ornithologists union. Referred TO COM
mittee on agriculture and forestry.
TIE FOURTH PENDING NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL
The House committee on appropriations to-day
reported to the House OF Representatives bill pro-
vding for an appropriation for the expenses Of the
navy for the six months ending June 30 1885. The
bill appropn6teS &C. 0.155 the basis OF one-half
OF the bill which passed The House at the last Ses-
sion OF Congress for the fiscal year 1885, This is an
entirely new bill, and is the fourth naval appropri-
alton bill now pending.
THE CONGO QUESTION.
The House committee on foreign affairs, to-day,
appointed Messrs. Curtin, Phelps and Eaton as a
to consider the resolutions OF Rep
resentarlveS Herbert and Belmont relative to the
Congo matter