Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-15
DISTRICT DAY III THE HOUSE.
Valuable Hours Wasted In . Useless
Discussion.

THE TRACTION RArLRoAp BILL THEN TAKEN
uP AND VARIOUS AMENDMENTS oEykRkp-
LIVELY FIGHT OVER THE BILL.
The House District committee had quite q
contest over the order OF business OF the CON-
nittee TO be considered In the House to-day.
and 1t was finally decided that the traction
railroad bill should be the first measure called
up. The committee then decided 10 report
iavorably the bill to amend the Revised
Statutes to provide that any legal summons OF
District court may be served by delivering at
the premises described, or by being posted
upon such premises. in case the person TO whom
1t Is directed is absent: and to report favorably
also, the Senate bill to regulate sales for taxes
In the District OF Columbia. They decided 10
recommend the concurrence OF the House i'm
the Senate amendment to the bill 10 amend
the law relating TO the bonds Of executors In
the District.
Mr.. Compton moved TO recon der the vote by
which . favorable report was recommended
upon the bill regulating the sale Of liquor in the
Pending q vote on this motion an adjourn
ment was taken.
HITCH n rHE HorsE.
The understanding was that the District bust
ness should come up Immediately after the
reading Of the journal this morning but the
controversy concerning the alleged interpola-
lions in the Record came over with high privil-
eye from yesterday.
MR.. GLOVER CALLS THE RECORD" A LIAR.
MIR. Glover came into the House very mad
about what had been said during his absence
yesterday concerning the matter. He made a
short and sharp defense of himself and wound
up with the expression that whoever charged
MIN with altering the Record was a liar.
POOLING AWAY THE TIME.
Mr.. Hemphil, acting chairman of the Dis
trict committee, tried, in the interest OF District
business, to pour oil u pom the troubled waters,
nsy
to the angry members and asking them to
"please hurry up he got them a little quiet
something would occur to fire them up again.
The majority OF the members seemed To enjoy
the scene and tried TO keep ii up. 1t served
also to rob the District of its time, and this the
enemies OF the traction railroad desired TO do.
DISTRICT BUSINESS To THE FRONT.
After great deal of confusion the District
got It's day, and Mr.. Hemphill moved to go into
committee of the whole to consider the traction
railroad bill, and pending that he moved TO
limit general debate TO one minute.
MIR. Cobb wanted to make il two hours, but
he was not sustained i'm his motion 10y the
House. He then made the point OF no quorum.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS To THE TRACTION
RAILROAD BILL.
This obstruction to business was overcome,
and the House went into committee OF the
whole, Mr.. McMillin in the chair. The traction
railroad bill was then taken up 10y sections.
Mr. Hopkins. OF Illinois, offered an amendment
providing that the company shall pay DAM
ages TO the owners OF any property that may be
injured by the construction OF the road. Mr..
Browne, OF Indaaa, moved an amendment to
the amendment providing that, il on the other
hand the property Is increased in value by the
building of the road, the owners shall pay To
value OF their property. MIR. Hopkins spoke in
support OF his own amendment. Mr.. Cobb also
spoke in support OF ii.
Mr.. Cobb thought the franchise for the rail-
road ought 10 be paid Tor.
Mr.. WE'LL MOI thought that the amend
ment was introduced for the purpose of killing
D. l..I
done to the adjacent property by the building
of a railroad.
Mr.. Hopkins contended that his amendment
for the protection of the citizens against
the power OF monopoly.
Mr.. Payson hoped his colleague would call
the attention OF Mr.. Browne, OF Indiana, (who
was lighting the amendment TO the provision
ia the constitution of Illinois covering such
cases.
Mr.. Browne did not know, he said, that the
Illinois constitution applied 10 the District oi
Columbia.
Mr. Rowell Qll.) asked Mr.. Hopkins if there
was any thing I'm the law OF Illinois requiring
that company, before laying y railroad,
should ascertain damages 10 property not
taken.
Mr.. Hopkins said there was, and Mr.. Rowell
denied 1t.
Mr.. Browne Qnd) made strong argument
against the amendment
Upon motion Of Mr.. Hemphill the committee
rose for the purpose OF limiting debate tue
section. In favor OF a motion 10 limit debate To
ten minutes the vote WAS los TOO.
SOwden.
This point was over-ridden by a quorum vot-
Ing, and Mr.. Hopkins amendment was re-
tected by a vote of 90 10 1O2.
Mr.. Curtin then introduced an amendment,
previously agreed upon, making changes ia the
route OF the proposed road so to put double
tracks on no street OF less than 40 feet width,
and TO obvlate other objections 10 the original
route. This was adopted.
Mr.. Butterworth offered an amendment pro-
posing that the charter shall Toe sold at auction.
As substitutelor this Mr.. Wilson Introduced
proposition that the company shall pay 10
the District nve per cent Oh its gross revenues.
The substitute was rejected 10y a vote OF % 10
%. and Mr.. Wilson made a point OF no quorum.
Alter much time had ueeu lost tue poiaI OF
no quorum was Withdrawn aud Mr.. Wilson's
substitute was rejected.
The vote was then taken on the origiul
amendment, winch was defeated.
Alter this Mr.. Scranton moved to lay aside
the bill and proceed with other District meas
ureS.
The motion was voted down-yeas 81, nays
76.
The House then proceeded to consideration OF
other amendments.