Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-24
DISTRICT GovERNMENr.

The Commissioners have addressed a letter
10 Senator Ingalls, relative 10 Senate bill $3.50.
ITO regulate the fees and limit the COM
pensation of the recorder Of deeds Of the
District Of Columbia and Of the register Of
wills Of District Of Columbia" The Commits
sioners say that both the officers named are
appointed BY the President and not account
able to the Commissioners. They suggest that
the bill should be referred to the Judiciary. and
they have therefore sent it to the chief justice
Of the District Supreme Court
PARDoNEp By THE coMMIssIoSERs
The District Commissioners ON recommends
ton OF MIR. b. E. Davis, assistant attorney for
the District, have granted a pardon relieving
John Gull from penalties imposed last February
on charge Of selling liquor without license.
was pending in court, and when an understand
ing had been had that until the Manion case
should be decided no prosecutions would be
had.
THE JURY LAWS OF THE DISTRICT.
The District Commissioners have written TO
Chairman Hemphill, of the House District COM
mittee, in reply to letter from Mr. Hemphill,
in reference to the pending bill to amend the
jury laws OF the District. They say that as
far as they are advised the provisions of the
bill are excellent in their character, and are
calculated to meet an evil long deplored in this
community. Under the present law it is ex-
ceedingly difficult to obtain such juries as are
needed for the duties to be performed Indeed
the present law IL harsh, and in many cases
works great injury to the citizens who are, by
its provisions compelled to serve for long
periods at the sacrifice of all other interests.
The Commissioners, however. forbear to 60
any further in the matter in question, because
they deem it one that belongs exclusively to
the judiciary for proper consideration. Acting
upon this view they have taken the liberty to
refer the bill in question to the Supreme Court
Of the District Of Columbia for consideration
and advice"
BOGUS TELEoRAMs AS ADVERTISEMENTS.
Recently theatrical manager has distributed
through the city, by messenger, an advertise
ment Of current theatrical attraction in the
form OF Geographic message delivered at the
houses Of citizens. Mr.. Alex. Hunter has
written to the District Commissioners as
follows: Enclosed you will find an
advertisement that speaks for itself. The
door bell is rung, a messenger boy in uniform
hands the telegram which he makes the owner
OF the house sign, and then leaves the en-
closed. We have been expecting telegram
from sick friend, and You can imagine the
shock we received. We feared death notice,
and probably every family is wrought up. He
should be stopped at once" The letter has
been referred to the police.
THE EXTENSION OF FIFTEENTH STREET.
On the 18th inst. Messrs. John o. johnson
and Victor Mindeleff wrote to the Commission
ers asking whether 18th street would be ex-
plans made for several houses on Stoughton
street which might be affected by the extension
OF 18th st. The Commissioners to-day approved
report made on the subject by Capt.
Symons, who says: Fifteenth street. when
ever its improvement beyond the Boundary is
provided for, should undoubtedly be extended
in straight line, and 1 recommend that the
Commissioners so inform Messrs. johnson and
Mindeleff, and that in all probability any
buildings erected on the line of this street
extended in straight line will have to be re-
moved"
THE B. AND o. DEPOT IMPROVEMENT.
The Commissioners have approved Capt
Symons report in relation to the protest of
MIR. w. c. Dodge against granting permit to
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company for
the proposed addition to its depot MIR. Dodge.
In his letter, requested that the permit, if al
ready granted, be revoked. Capt Symons re-
port was as follows: Il know Of no power or
authority by which the Commissioners can pre-
vent the improvement proposed by the,B. d o.
r. r. Co. to their depot in Washington. Per-
init has been issued to the railroad company
for making these alterations"
THE PROPOSED NEW CIRCLE.
Mr.. W. E. Curtis, the newspaper correspond
ent has written to the Commissioners respect
ing the proposed circle at the corner of 18th
street and New Hampshire avenue, which it is
proposed to give the name of Hancock
circle. This is the circle, the cree
ton Of which is provided for in the appropria-
ton bill that has passed the House, though no
appropriation has been made for the purpose.
Mr.. Curtis says Il have seen some members of
the Senate committee and they suggest that
you have some one measure the place in order
to determine whether the circle can be estab-
lish there without encroaching upon private
property. If SO, how large a circle will it be
necessary to condemn. The subcommitte
will take up the bill the first of next
week, and the sooner the measure
ments are made the better" Capt.
Symonds, to whom the matter was referred
plats. one OF which shows circle which Capt.
Symonds says can be introduced at the juno
ton of 10th street and New Hampshire avenue
without encroaching on private property
The circle so shown Capt. Symonds says,
lis 95 feet in diameter. and there is all around
it a roadway of 80 feet in width and sidewalk
of Is feet in width. If it is deemed no money
is provided for land condemnation, this
could be very readily put in without any
expense other than in changing of curb, side
walk, &c.
The second plan shows circle $50 feet in
diameter, including foot sidewalk all around
it with a roadway of 80 feet and sidewalk of
Is feet. In order to get circle of this size it
il necessary to acquire the land shown on the
plot which aggregates LIP square feet and is
assessed ssss as shown so on the so plot 800
75c. per foot, and ll2 feet at 75c. per foot.
This property if condemned by jury will prob
ably be assessed at ~ per foot. l think this
latter circle is by all means most desirable.
Plot No. shows the existing curb lines, &c.
and the change which would be necessitated if
this is adopted"
TELEGRAPH POLES ON BENNING ROAD.
The Commissioners have notified the Western
Union telegraph company to remove immedi-
ately their poles on the roads in and near Ben
ming to their proper distance from the center
of the road. This is the second notice given
MISCELLANEOUS
John Riley, now serving term in the work.
house. has applied to the District Commits
sioners for pardon, promising to leave the
city.
Health Officer Townshend has recommended
that the north half of the alley in square 75s be
improved under the compulsory permit system.
as, he says, it is in a bad condition owing to
defective grade and drainage.
Health Inspector Shepherd reports that the
alley in square GIG is below grade and in a state
of nuisance caused by foul and stagnant water
The Commissioners have referred to the
chief justice Of the District the bill sent to
them by the House District committee, ITO in
vest the Supreme Court of the District of Co.
lumbia with jurisdiction over real estate of in
fants and lunatics."
Maj. Moore recommends an appropriation of
$l,5OO for the Hope and Help mission.
The Commissioners will address letter to
Passed-Assistant Engineer George W. Baird,
U. y. N, for his services rendered last August
when detailed to test the high service pump
ing engines at the U-street station.
The Commissioners to-day passed an order
tho lott nj ~, xl.~x