Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-22
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. RIDDLE REPLIES TO The SOUTH wAsHrSaro
PROTEST

MR. RIDDLE REPLIES TO THE SOUTH WASHINGTON
PROTEST.
THE STAR has heretofore referred 70 the let
ter of the South Washington Citizens Pro-
.ec'iNe assoclauon protesting against the opin-
ion of Attorney Riddle with reference 10 the
erection of a freight house by the Baltimore
and Potomac railroad company in square 4qs
The opinion referred to was also printed in
IHE STAR at the time. To-day Mr.. Riddle re-
plies 70 the South Washington association in
the following opinion to the Commissioners:
The commissioners can only resort 10 the
courts where final ordinance of the CITY or
law of the District legislature is violated. or
where some injury is done to the property or
rights of the District corporation 1t has
no power TO institute civil suit for the protec-
ton of the rights Of any of the residents of the
District. The persons injured alone can do
that. The Commissioners could have no stand
ing in court for that purpose. nor have they
any power to redress parties thus injured
The only complaint that has reached
me against the Baltimore and Potomac
railroad company. is that il occupies
square 499. That of itself furnishes no cause
of action to the District, civil or criminal IL
is said, however, that by this occupancy the
company obstructs a public alley of said
square. This is a violation of an ordinance.
and for this the District NAV prosecute the
railroad company This will be done when a
complaint on oath is made in the Police Court
by responsible parties. as / have said before
when spoken to on this subject Save this.
the District has no grounds ever brought 10
my notice for prosecution or suit against the
Baltimore and Potomac. This ia exactly the
grounc of my former opinion. so absurdly mis-
represented by the last South Washington pro-
test
YOUNG woMEN's CHRISTIAN HOME.
Tie annual report Of the Young Women's
Christian Home has been submitted TO the
Commissioners. The report dates from the
opening OF the institution. October !. 1887. TO
November l. 1888. During that time ll3 per-
sons were admitted The home is an eight
room building, fitted up to accommodate If
teen. i Is the desire Of the board TO enlarge
the accommodations 20 thirty beds The home
Is supported by subscription. S9424O having
been raised in this way. They ask that Con-
gress be requested BY the Commissioners to
make an appropriation for the home.
BUILDING PEBNITs
were issued to-day as follows: Daniel II.
Nichols. one addition to hotel. 4s5 PENNSYLVANIA
avenue. SS00e; Mrs. McKeever. two frame
dwellings, on Superior street, Meridian Hill
SI6O0.
WANTS TIE ASSESSMENT REDUCED.
W. II. Ciagett. the treasurer and secretary of
the Columbia Railroad company. in a letter TO
the Commissioners calls attention to the over
asse sSment made for the present tax year
against the company. and requests that it be
reduced to the former assessment 500, 600.
DoEsN T WANT THEM TO GET HIM on THE LIST.
George W. Cooper, for his client. Thomas
Lucas OF tunnel fame, states in letter to the
Commissioners that his client has claims
against the District for large amounts and owns
lots % -, %. 90 and q of original lot g. square
a. against which general and special taxes are
assessed with penalties end interest TO a large
amount. He states that his client is unable to
pay these, and wishes time to realize upon his
claims before he is put on the delinquent tax
list.
INSANE PATIENTS.
Some days ago TIE STAR referred to Inten-
dant Stoutenberg's accommodation relative to
the sending of insane persons to the Washing
ton asylum. To-day in a letter to the Commits
signers he says: The question involved in this
communication is the care of persons suspected
of insanity until such cases can be disposed of
by due course of law and the consequent COM
mtment 10 the asylum for insane. The report
of Gen. John s. Croker. warden. and Dr. Me
Williams, physician of the United States iail
are not pertinent to the question involved but
relate to persons found to be insane and con-
veys the idea that they are to be permanently
incarcerated in jail, which is in no sense the
intent or meaning of the enclosed" He rec
ommends that the papers be referred to At
torney Riddle for opinion.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Chief Paris. of the fire department. has re-
ported against the reopening Of the case of ".
b. Reed.