Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-17

IDAY, AUGUST II. 1s
that II is really dangerous to drive
YET % on
existing evils. when, he added, il is proposed TO
the face OF Congress- This was q commentary upon
the power OF corporations here In the presence OF
Congress. ne maintained that Congress had the
right to instruct the Commissioners He would
IKE 70 see the board OF Commissioners that
would dare 70 disregard the Instructions
structicns were disresarded % he would @ : IKE to be
on hand 20 submit q few feeble remarka BE said:
III we Intend TO DO ANYTHING let US do It now"
tton OF Mr. Edmunda
Nj. vest, In the course Of his remafkR condemned
hs M ought q e
cars are obsolete ana It Ia time the national CAPT.
tai had modern service.
Mr.. TEILER's OPINION.
Mr.. Teller did not agree with what had been
said as to the success OF electric street railroads
On the contrary he did not believe that there was
successfully operated railroad In the United
states. so far as his Information had gone there
was not one OF them satisfactory. There was one
learning, zeal and capital had been applied TO
any In the Unites States and It was failure in
every sense of the word.
The discussion was continued ar much length,
being diverted largely from the immediate Ques.
avenues OF Washingto ton.
WASHINGTON STREETS.
Mr.. Hale took occasion to describe what he re-
CARDS as the lamentabe condition OF the streets in
washington. He said that In no otner city in this
country are the people subjected to SO much dan
ger and inconvenience as here. He said that dur
visit Washington, and unless something Is done to
improve the infamous condition Of the streets
they WIZ 60 to their homes full Of indignation at
condition OF Pennsylvania avenue as "infamous;"
that the pavement is full OF holes and persons
cars because they sufer less jolting than In pri.
vate vehicles.
Mr. DAWES EXPLAINED
that the appropriations committee Of the two
houses provided money for street improvements,
and ascribed the defective pavements to an un-
willingness OF Congress to vote money for proper
pavements He said the existing law limits the
commissioners in laying concrete pavement to
81 yard. That was not enough and the result
necessary TO 60 to the end where the work had be-
gun and make repairs 1t was q system OF plas-
tering the streets over with a thin coating OF
concrete.
WHAT Mr.. PLUMB SAYS ABOUT THE CITY sTREEN
Mr. Plumb said 1t seemed the time had come for
general delivery on this subject. He had been
tor some years connected quite intimately with
the duty OF providing money for street improve
ments. The CHIEF cause OF the defective condition
Vi pennsylvania avenue and some other pave
mentS was for years the Commissioners had been
engaged Ia replacing pavements put down BY what
Is known as the Shepherd regime. The appro-
pnations nad largely been employed In replacing
oid,worn-out rotten wooden pavements and rough
stone pavements. During those years taxpayers
provements, though taxed all the while, because
Ihe money was being used 10 restore streets for
merry improved: Mr.; Plumb sympathized with
M: hale because OF the JOltings he got driving
about In his carriage, 0lI he sympathzed more
deeply with the citizens who have been compelled
10 submit Tor years to see their streets remain un-
careu Ior, while the taxes they paid were being
used to correct the evils OF an extravagant
OF zen or nlteen years ago. Pennsylvania avenue
original pavement was not good THAT pavement
though IT cost much more than present work is
oeng aa gone 's , ior, Is not by any means so good
cannot be properly paved unless the street-car
company be compelled TO do It's share by laying
AFFORD service entirely even with the street pave
menI That cannot be done while the horse-car
system continues. But bad as Pennsylvania ave-
streets where no pavements have been en-
laid The commissioners for several years
nave very properly been giving some attention to
taxpayers who were 80 long neglected. Mr.. Plumb
asked II Mr.. Hale would do the Injustice OF paving
pennsylvania avenue anew anu leave miles or
streets whereon people have built houses In a
Mr.. Hale replied that he would do both.
Mr: Plumb retorted that then the money ought
from the pockets Of the District taxpayers.
THE AVENUE sTREET-cAR LINE.
Mr. EdmundS remarked that IL would be next to
impossible to compel the Avenue street-car line to
do anything; that 1t has been owing the District
taxes for years and there had not been power
enough or courage enough TO make 1t pay.
AGocD WORD FOR rH4 STREETS.
In the course OF the discussion Mr.. SpOoner as
serted lin contravention OF much that had been
said as to the bad condition OF the streets) that
there was no city In this country or Europe where
the streets were better kept better paved, better
lighted or better shaded than Washington.
Mr. sherman rtpeated his protest against de-
been Conferred by Congress. q
While he was speaking the morning hour ex-
dispose OF niS resolution.
a Mr. Blair said this question had been running
pension Army nurses These women, ne said, are
aylng on rapidly and unless relief is 1on afforded
declared, fought 10 be ATTENDED TO-"
Mr. RDxuNDs' NOTION CARRIED.
Mr.. Edmunds' request was granted, and, after a
little more debate, Mr.. Edmunds' motion TO refer
with Instructions to report resolution to direct
the Commissioners to stop the erection OF over
head wires was adopted by a vote OF 22 70 IL.
Mr.. Sp0Oner offered O resolution (Which was laid
over Calling on the Secretary OF War for a state
ment OF Claims Tor c0mmissary supplies &C., taken
cislons have been rendered.
POSTAL CRIMES.
The Senate bill alnendatofy OF the act OF 18th
June, 1888, relating to postal crimse, was taken
up and passed
MI: HawIey suggested that the punishment pro-
vldeo IN the DILL might be TOO severe
VILE BOOKS IN THE NAILS
MI. Vest spoke OF the v1llain0us publications
sent through the mail to yeung girls, and said
that In one case Q female academy had been del
uged with such publications. He would rather see
rattlesnake in the hands Of one OF his children
than one OF these books They had been
used In the city OF New York for
malicious purposes. man who had
a grudge against lady sent one OF these things
to her, and she was outraged by finding (when she
tore open the envelOpe) this publication
In her hand. He could give great
variety OF such instances. Scoundrels
had succeeded in evading the present law
(Which did not reach written publications
but only printed mattep by using the
stylographic process. And these were sent all
over the country TO young people. There
was no crime in the calendar, not even murder
worse than that. 1t sapped the very foundations
OF society. poisoned the minds OF the young,
did not think the penalties prescribed
In the bill too great II he were q fudge and q
fellow was convicted for such an offense before
him, he would like to send him TO the penitentiary
for life. fine Of 5000 was mere bagatelle for
such an o1ense
Mr.. Teller called attention to the fact that the
offense was termed q misdemeanor, and the bill
was, on motion or Mr.. Edmunds, amended in that
respect.