Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-01
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS-
Various Bills Passed by the House at
the Session Last Night.

Inc greater portion of last nights session Of
me House of Representatives was devoted to
the consideration Of District business. and
lar need OF success, as congressional matters
go now, attended Chairman Hemphilrs efforts.
RAILROAD BILLS.
The House bill to incorporate the Washing
ton and Western Maryland railroad company.
passed by the Senate, was taken up, and Mr.
Hemphi1 moved inconvenience in the Sen
ate amendments so that the conference asked
by the Senate could be had. Conferees were
appointed, and then the House bill 20 amend
the charter of the Georgetown and Tenleytown
railroad company was passed without debate.
II gives the company the right 70 lay its tracks
only outside the limits of the improved portion
Of the road.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT LIEN CERTIFICATES.
the next measure considered was tine House
bill for the relief OF holders of District Of Co
luInbia special assessment lien certificates. 1t
was passed without debate. II authorizes the
Commissioners TO receive and audit all claims
presented BY holders OF special assessment GER
thcates issued by the government of the Dis
trict or former municipal corporations of the
District for paving, Improvements or general
taxes IN eases where the value of the same has
been annulled by legislation subsequent to
their Issuance. The Commissioners after hear
ing the claims are to make report of the same
to Congress.
A COMPILATION OF DISTRICT LAWS.
To secure u compilation of the District laws
was the object Of the next bill-a House meas
ure-which was called up. A few unimportant
amendments we're made by the committee, and
the bill was passed.
WASHINGTON AND SANDY SPRINGS RAILROAD.
The first debate came up on the Senate bill
to Incorporate the Washington and Sandy
Springs Narrow-seuge Railroad and Street Rail-
road company. Immediately after the reading
OF the bill Mr. SOwden said he hoped the gem
tleman in charge of the measure would allow il
to go over. The bill was too important to be
passed upon by such small House as was
present.
Mr. Hemphin said: This is simply a bill to
permit the running of narrow-gauge road out
into certain section OF Maryland. so far as
giving them charter to come through the
District and allow the people to set into the
city. That portion which allowed them to come
into the city has been stricken out. They come
up to New York avenue, up to the new depot
that the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company
Is building. 1t Is only road running out into
the country twenty-five miles. IL has passed
the Senate without objection. and have never
heard a single objection to it. and there has
been no protest entered against it.
Mr. ROwen said the road was simply TO ena-
Bile the farmers out near the line of the road to
get their hay and other products to market
without having to haul them in wagons.
3ir. Sowden and 1ir. Buekalew both criticised
the financial provisions of the bill which they
said we're lax. but Dir HemPhill called attention
TO the fact that this poor little road which
the country people were trying 70 build for
their own benht. There was
No SPECULATION IN IT FOR ANYBODY.
Not a soul would ever make a dollar out of it
by speculation for twenty-five or thirty years.
and il is hardly worth while to be as Aringcnt
as if some big company was being chartered.
The bill was then passed
The route of the road in the District is laid
down IN the act as beginning at point at the
intersection OF Boundary street and y ew York
avenue. and extending parallel with the line of
the metropolitan branch Of the Baltimore and
ONO railroad. to point at about one mile from
Boundary street; thence leaving the line of the
Baltimore and Ohio road. IN a uortIeastcrly
direction. TO the northeastern boundary line OF
boundary line and the Riggs road.
TRIALS BY JURY II THE POLICE COURT
Mr.. HemphIH submitted a conference report
on the bill to provide for trials by jury in the
District Police Court, and the report was
agreed to.
The Senate bill to amend the charter Of the
lexington and Soldiers Home railway COM
pany was the next measure called up. but no
progress was made with il. for llr. Sowd,n and
0r. John J. ONeiH quietly but eifectually in
sisted that the bill could not pass. NJ Hemp
hill endeavored to secure hearing for the
measure, but MIR. ONeiu called attention to the
fact that there vas less than q quorum present
and that ended District business Tor the