Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-12
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY
PRIVATE BILLS IN THE HOUSE.

PRIVATE BILLS IN THE HOUSE.
IMPORTANT COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
House of Representatives.
After the reference ola large number of Senate
bills to the appropriate committees the Speaker
proceeded to call committees for reports of a
private nature.
At the conclusion of the call the House went
into committee of the whole (Mr. Hammond,
OF Georgia, in the chair on the private calendar
District i'm Congress.
PROTESTING AGAINST TRACKS ON nth STREET.
The petition presented to the Senate by Mr.
ingalls, yesterday protesting against the pro-
posed extension of the Belt line street railroad
tracks, as mentioned in THE STAR, was signed
by property owners on 18th street who OBJ
posed, along 18th street from Massachusetts
avenue to l. street. The petition says: "The
street Is too narrow (thirty-two feet between
leave sufficient space on either side for car
rlages. A railway is not needed in this street
on their way to 18th street, and the double
tracks on Connecticut avenue are only one
block distant on the other side. If increased
of the city the track already laid on either
side of us should be utilized rather than break
up StIceI Wnen SuCn tracks WALL seriously 90.
struct the carriage way and are Objectionable to
property owners and tenants.
THE FOURTH OF JULY CLAIMS BILL PASSED.
The Senate yesterday passed the bill for the
allowance Of certain claims reported by the
accounting officers of the treasury department,
the items are the following to Washingtonians !:
Sarah King, widow of Wilson King $96. 15;
John Mcclure, S4650. The bill will be sent to
the PRESIDENT Tor his approval.
MARYI.ANn
The House committee on claims yesterday
instructed a favorable report to be made on
Representative COmpton's bill to authorize the
settlement Of the accounts of the states of Mary
land and Virginia for advances made to the
United states In 1870 and 1871 for the purpose
OF aiding in the erection of public buildings in
the District of Columbia.
Capitol Notes.
FREE IMPORTATION OF WORKS OF ART.
Mr.. Belmont, of New York, presented in the
House to-day petitions signed by over 1,247
art societies and artists throughout the United
init works of art free of duty. They state that
the law passed in 1883 by which duties were
raised from ten to thirty per cent, was not
called for by artists and was not advocated by
the public press or demanded by the people,
nor was the measure justified on the plea, of
public necessity; that the law has proved a
fshed the public revenue.
MR.. EDMUNDS oUTvoTED.
For the first time this session the Senate yes
terday went into executive session on motion
of democrat. Mr.. Harris made the motion,
and, though it was opposed by both Messrs:
Edmunds and HOar, enough republicans voted
aye to carry it. Hitherto Mr.. Edmunds has
permitted no executive sessions, except upon
to all combinations. The action of dozen or
SO republicans in voting for an executive ses-
sion, despite Mr. Edmunds' opposition, is con-
tory policy that has prevailed with regard to
nominations Peter Gallagher was confirmed
as Indian agent in Idaho. No other nomina-
ton was considered.
SOLDIERS HOMES
The military committee of the House decided
to-day to recommend the construction of q
soldiers home west of the Rocky mountains to
cost $1OO,OOO and to increase the capacity of
the four homes in shs east 50 as to enable each
purpose they recommend the expenditure of
$500 They seeded also to reimburse the
Hampton hume for the money lost In the fail
ing banks at Norfolk.
SECRETARY WHITNEY BEFORE THE HOUSE
NAVAL COMMITTEE.
Secretary Whitney was before the House
naval affairs committee to-day explaining the
needs of the navy. His attention was directed
chiefly to the question of building new naval
vessels, as recommended in his annual report.
The committee were deeply interested in what
he had to say and listened to him very atten-
lively. The reorganization Of the bureaus of
the department was not touched upon, but he
will be heard on that subject little later on.
The committee is combining its inquiries now TO
Mr.. Whitney had answered all their questions
with regard to that matter, Admiral Porter was
heard.
THE COURT OF ALABAMA CLAIMS NATTER
has been taken up by a subcommittee OF the
House judiciary committee. There are several
bills relating to the court before the committee.
One legalizes all the unauthorized expendi-
lures by the court which were disallowed by
Controller Durham; another extends the
Six months, and another authorizes an entirely
new court Messrs Creswell, Fessenden and
Allen, of the court. appeared before the sub
and were very closely questioned by the
members. Representative Collins brought out
the fact. by cross-9uestioning, that Controller
MIR. Aliens personal draft for a large
Of ,,c% for the neceS of ,a the
by the court expenses. Mr.. Manning, the at
tOrney, and several other attorneys argued
a letter has been received from Controller Dur
ham explaining the case and protesting against
legislation In the nature OF reversal of his
decision.
THE HURD-RoMEIs CONTEST.
Mr.. Hurds printed brief in the Hurd-Romeis
contested election case was received by the
House elections committee to-day. Mr.. Romeis'
returned majority was $50. Mr.. Hurd claims
that 20 illegal votes were cast for Romeis in
Toledo; 900 in precinct B, ward 8, Toledo; 1855
in precinct c, ward 8, same city; so in Kelley's
Island and several individual votes elsewhere,
which, when deducted, give Mr.. Hurd a ma
jOrity OF 295.
NOTES.
The Senate was not in session to-day.
A delegation of Indians who have come to
Washington from Indian territory to protest
against the distribution Of their lands in sever
atty, called on Representative Curtin yesterday
and laid before him their grievances. They
called upon him as the representative OF Will
lam Penn TO take up their cause. Gov. Curtin
gave them very cordial reception. and
speeches were made by the big men of the dele
CATION.
Representative Cutcheon, of Michigan, who
made the minority report upon the Fitz John
Porter bill, will make q speech against the bill
next Tuesday.
The bill to regulate the promotion of West
Point graduates was passed in the Senate yes
terday.
Grand Army Men Protest.
THEY OBJECT TO THE PANORAMIC EXHIBITION
OF THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN.