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
the House OF Representatives was devoted to
the consideration Of District business. and a
ialr need of success, as congressional matters
go nov, attended Chairman HemphiIrs efforts
RAILROAD BILLS.
The House bill TO incorporate the Washing
ton and Western Maryland railroad company.
passed by the Senate, was taken up, and BIy
HemPhill moved non-concurrence IN the SEN
ale amendments so that the conference asked
ny the senate conld be had. Couferees were
appointed. and then the House bin 70 amend
the charter OF the Georgetown and Tenleytown
faliroad company was passed without debate.
IL 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 the House
bill for the relief OF holders Of District OF CO.
lumbia special assessment lien certificates. Ii
was passed without debate. II authorizes the
Commissioners to receive and audit all claims
presented bv holders Of special assessment GER
titicates issued by the government OF the Dis
trlct or former municipal cOrpor ations of the
District Tor paving. improvements or general
taxes IN eases where the vaiue Of the same has
been annulled BY legislation subsequent to
their Issuance. The Commissioners after hear
ing the claims are to make a report Of the same
to Congress.
A COMPILATION OF DISTRICT LAWS.
To secure a compilation of the District laws
was the object Of the next bill--a House meas
ure-which was called up. few unimportant
amendments were made by the committee, and
the bin was passed.
WASHINGTON AND SANDY SPRINGS RAILROAD.
The first debate came up on the Senate bill
to incorporate the Washington and Sandy
Springs Narrow-gauge Railroad and Street Rail-
road company. Immediately after the reading
OF the bill MIR. SOwden said he hoped the gem
tleman IN charge of the measure would allow 10
to go over. The bill was too important to be
passed upon by such a small House as was
present
Mr.. Hemphin said: "This is simply a bill to
permit the running of a narrow-gauEe road out
into a certain section OF Maryland. so far as
giving them charter to come through the
District and allow the people TO get 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
- building. It l. only "a road running out into
the country twenty-five miles. IL has passed
the Senate without objection. and have never
heard a single objection to Ii. and there has
been no protest entered against it"
Mr.. ROweH 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.
Mr. Sowden and 1;r Buckalew both criticised
the financial provisions Of the bin which they
said were lax. but Sir. Hemphi.l called attention
TO the fact that t1is was poor little road. which
the country people were trying 20 build for
their own benit. 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 it is hardly worth while to be as Aringent
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 Jew York
avenue. and extending parallel with the line of
the Metropolitan branch of the Baltimore and
ONO railroad. to a point al about one mile from
Boundary street: thence leaving the line OF the
Baltimore and OHIO road, in a uortlaasteriy
direction. TO the northeastern boundary line OF
the District, At or near the intersection Of the
boundary line and the Riggs road.
TRIALS BG JUDY II TIE POLICE COURT.
Mr.. Hsmphill submitted conference report
on the bill to provide for trials by jury in the
District Police Court, and the report was
agreed to.
The Senate bin 10 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 Mr. SOEIon and
Dir. John J. o Neil quietly but etfectuallv in
sisted that the bill could not pass. Ir. Hemp
measure, but Mr. O'Neiil called attention TO the
and that ended District business for the
gvaniur