The Washington critic., 1889-02-06

\ Small Attendance and Good Deaf
Accomplished.

Accomplished.
District bills have little interest for
the average Member for there were
only seventeen Members OF the House
present last night to consider matters
reported from the Committee on the
District of Columbia Chairman Hemp.
hill called up the Mount Vernon ave.
nue. bill, VIII ich provides for the sur.
vcys for n National road from the Nir-
GINA end of the Aquc1uct Bridge,
thence through the counties of Alex
andria and Fairfax to Mount Vernon.
Ten thousand dollars is appropriated
for the purpose. Mr.. Kilgorc of Texas
made himself appear ridiculous by
raising numerous obsolete questions
against the bill Congressman Lee of
Virginia made personal appeal to the
gentleman from Texas, and he finally
yielded upon being allowed TO submit
an amendment providing that the
Government shall not commit itself to
purchase the right of way or the con
struction of the road after the passage
of the bill as amended.
The following measures were passed
without opposition: To allow stock
companies to have rs many rs fifteen
directors whenever desired; to make
it lawful for the Treasury Department
TO receive securities from insurance
companies to enable them to transact
business in other States; vosting the
right and title of the square south of
square 1892 in the vestry of Christ
Church, Washington parish exempt
ing building and mutual loan associa-
tons from all taxation upon mortgages
or other security held by them for
moneys loaned to their own members
and secured upon real estate in the
District; changing the jury law of the
District, fixing the length of service at
one instead of three months. The lat
ter bill authorizes the Supreme Court
in general term to regulate the time of
holding its terms, and defines tho
qualifications OF jurymen in the Dis
triCt.
The Senate bill to secure the main
tcnaucc of public order during the
Inauguration ceremonies was briefly
discussed. 1t provides for the appro.
priation of $500 to enable the Dis
trict mmissioners to project life and
property, and also authorizes them to
make all reasonable regulations neces-
sary to secure public order aud fix
fares for public conveyances during
the period between February % and
March 8. Any persons violating such
regulations to be fined, not 10 exceed
$25. The bill was passed
The bill to regulate the license of
pawnbrokers was passed without OBJ
| lection. 1t reduces the cost of the
license and also reduces the rate of
interest upon loans.
When the Georgetown and Tenally-
town Railroad bill was reached Messrs.
Richardson and Kilgore interposed OBJ
jections, and it was passed over. The
proposition is to allow the railroad
| company IT, occupy fourteen feet of un
| improved roadway between George
| town and Tenallytown.
The next bill was q measure to regu
late the practice Of pharmacy in the
District of Columbia. 1t provides for
the appointment of an inspector of
pharmacy to be selected by the Asso-
citation of Druggists, to insure the sale
of pure drugs. 1t was passed without
objection. The bill to establish the
jury system in the Police Court of the
District was amended and passed, after
which the House adjourned.