Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-26

by the bill the benefits that accrue to the ad-
joining property.
not in accord with my OVID views, but agreeing
to It was the result of a compromise.
Mr.. Gorman-I am perfectly well aware that
in quite a number Of the large cities of the
country such is the rule in the opening Of
streets and other improvements within the cor
value rapidly and where the owner derives
benefit from it. but, as understand. this park
is out some distance from the city Of Washing
ton IN the country.
Mr.. Ingalls-In the valley Of Rock creek.
Mr.. Gorman-The valley Of Rock creek and
II extends to the Maryland line.
Mr.. Ingalls-It will extend to the District
line, il the money holds out.
Mr.. GOrman-Very good, but the whole of il
is located outside of the limits of the CITY of
Washington and the surrounding country con-
sists of farms and dwellings and property not
Of very great value today. 1t does seem to me
that to choose commission of our own Sc
lection for the purpose of ascertainipg what
benefit the park will be to the farming country
that adjoins, without the right of appeal, az
understood from the reading, is a very extra
ordinary provision to introduce into a measure
here. 1t is rather a hardship to these people,
who practically have only farms and gardens.
MILITARY GOVERNMENT.
The other provision to which allude is that
We are not only to have the engineer officer of
the District Of Columbia, who is an army OFF,
Ger, but we add to the military government of
this District at least so far as this park is con-
cerned. and intrust the expenditure of the
money OF the people Of the District
to another army officer, the chief of engi-
neers, . gentleman for whom I have the
highest regard and who, believe from what
have seen Of him, is probably the most capable
officer have ever known to occupy that posi-
ton, and we all have perfect confidence in him.
But to put the money, one-half Of which is to
come from the tax payers Of the District of Co
iumbia. practically under two army officers ap-
pointed for life, with no control of it by the
people Of the District and no way to reach 1t,
Is going beyond anything heretofore contem-
plated. had hoped we would in the course of
time, and in a very short time, eliminate that
military feature from the management of the
affairs OF the District OF Columbia aud put it
all In the hands Of civilians; but under the pro-
visions Of this report we are adding to and ex-
tending thor power and authority.
As l caught the reading Of the report these
are the two prominent features in it and sug-
gest to the Senator from Kansas, as it is late in
the evening, for 1t Is now $40 o'clock. that he
let this matter 60 over until tomorrow morn
ing and have the report printed, 30 that We
may have an opportunity to look into it. Prob
ably 1t is true that at this late day in the
session, after the long conference which has
been had, nothing better can be done; but
understands perfectly we'll, to obstruct the
adoption Of the report, think it is due that
the Senator should permit US to look at it in
print tomorrow morning I suggest to the
Senator to let the report 60 over until tomor-
row morning, so that we may have an opportu-
nifty to examine it
Mr. INGALLS, ATTITUDE.
Mr.. Ingalls-The request Of the Senator from
Maryland Is reasonable, and II he desires to
familiarize himself further with the provisions
Of the report cannot object. can only add,
however, that the report is in many par ticulars
more obnoxious to me than it can be to the
Senator from Maryland. l believe that the
provision TINT imposes one-half of the cost OF
the Improvement upon the people Of this Dis
trict is wrong in principle and pernicious in
practice. think it Is an unjust burden upon
the already overtaxed resources of this people.
The other points the Senator makes are
somewhat in accord with nv own views, but
the report, as Is usual in such cases, was tho
result OF compromise. ! do not think any
thing else can be done.
may add that the provisions Of the report
have been submitted to the people through the
newspapers, and have been the subject Of con-
alteration and discussion for o number Of
months. the cOnferees having agreed. l think,
In July last There has BEEN 80 far as I know
no protest on the part Of the people of the
District against the report; on the contrary, it
has been regarded with favor and cordially
acquiesced In by those most nearly interested.
Ii was then agreed that the report should be
taken up this morning Immediately after the
close Of tho morning business.
THE BILL As AGREED UPON.
The full text Of the bill, as reported by the
eonferees and as passed by the House yester-
day. is as follows:
THAT tract Of land lying on both sides of
Rock creek beginning at Klingle Ford bridge
and running northwardly, following the course
OF said creek, Of width not less
at any point than 600 feet nor more
than 1900 feet, including the bed Of the
creek, Of which not less than 200 feet shall
be on either side of said crock. south OF
Broad Branch road and Blagden Mill road. and
OF such greater width north of said roads -
select, shall be secured, A. hereinafter set out.
and be perpetually dedicated and set apart as
public park or pleasure ground for the bene-
NJ and enjoy ment Of the people Of the United
States, to be known by tho name of Rock
Creek Park: Provided, however, That the
whole tract 80 to be selected and condemned
under the provisions OF this act shall not ex-
coed 1000 acres, nor the total cost thereof OK.
coed the amount Of money herein sppro-
priated
Sec. q That the chief of engineers Of the
United States army. the Engineer Commits
sioncr Of the District Of Columbia and three
citizens TO be appointed by the President, by
and with the advice and consent Of the Senate,
be, and they are hereby, created q commission
10 select the land for said park. Of the quantity
and within the limits aforesaid, and TO have
the same surveyed by the assistant to the said
Engineer Commissioners Of the District Of Co
lun,bia in charge Of public highways, which
said assistant shall also act ~ executive oficer
10 the said commission.
''Ssc. & That the said commission shall cause
TO be made an accurate map Of said Book
Greek Park, showing the location, Quantity
and character Of each parcel Of priv ate prop
srty 70 be taken for such purpose, with the
names OF the respective owners inscribed
thereon. which map shall be filed and recorded
In the public records OF the District Of Column.
bia, and from and after the date of filing said
map the several tracts and parcels Of land en-
braced in said Rock Creek Park shall be held
- condemned for public uses, and the title
thereof vested In the United States, subject e
the payment Of just compensation, TO be de-
tsrmined by said commission and approved by
the President Of the United Statss: Provided
That such compensation b accepted BY tbs
owner o. owners Of the several parcels Of land