Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-08
DISTRICT DAY.
Matters OF Local Interest Taken Up in the
House.

AUTHORITY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS TO GRANT
| PARDoNs AND REsPrTEs IN CERTAIN CASES
THE ROUTE OF TIE LEXINGTON RAILROAD
AMENDED AFTER SOME LITTLE DEBATE.
Today was the first day Of this session of
Congress set apart for the consideration in the
House Of bills reported from the committee on
the District of Columbia Accordingly, after
| the clerk had called the list Of committees for
the submission of reports, the Speaker recog-
nized Mr.. Hemphill who called up House
bill No. 1929, to empower the Commissioners
of the District to grant respites and pardons
for offenses against the late corporation OF Wash
ington, the ordinances Of Georgetown and the
levy court, the laws enacted by the legislative
assembly and the police and building regula-
\ tions of the District. The report submitted
upon the bill was the following letter from the
| Commissioners, which was read:
THE COMMISSIONERS LETTER.
WASHINGTON. January 20, 1892.
SrR: The Commissioners have the honor to
transmit herewith draft of bill to authorize
the Commissioners to grant pardons and res
pites for offenses the punishment for which
in default of tho payment OF the fine.
The object of this bill is to
confer OH the Commissioners the power
possessed by the executives of the former mu-
nicipal corporations which were in force in this
District prior to the establishment of a single
government for the District of Columbia The
law which abolished those corporations con-
timed in force ell valid laws and ordinances
which those corporations had enacted, but did
not transmit to the Commissioners the power
to grant respites and pardons for offenses
against those laws and ordinances. The lack of
this power prevents the Commissioners from
exercising executive clemency in many cases
where it is obviously in the interest of public
morals and justice to abate such sentences or
diminish their severity.
Respectfully, J. W. DOUGLASS.
Hon. j. j. HEMpHnL. President
Chairman House Committee
on the District of Columbia.
The bill was passed without debate or a
division.
Mr.. Hen,phill then called up the bill No. 4107,
to change the corporate name of the National
Safe Deposit Company to THE National Safe
Deposit. Savings and Trust Company of the
District of Columbia
This bill was also passed without debate or
division.
THE LEXINGTON RAILROAD.
Mr.. Hemphill then called up bill No. 41O,
authorizing the lexington and Soldiers Home
railway to extend its route.
The bill authorizes the company to lay its
tracks and run cars on streets and avenues
as follows: Beginning at the intersection Of
9th and G streets northwest east along q to
New Jersey avenue; along New Jersey avenue
to C. northwest; along to North Capitol
street to b north; and also beginning at
the intersection OF street and New Jer
sey avenue east to Massachusetts avenue;
thence southeasterly along Massachusetts ave-
nue. to North Capitol street. and thence north
along North Capitol street to New York ave-
nue., connecting with its main line and North
Capitol street branch: Provided, That il
electric wires or cables are used to prOpel its
cars over any OF the routes hereby authorized
within the limits of the city of Washington
the same shall be placed underground. Wher-
ever the foregoing route routes may COIN
eide with the duly authorized route or routes
OF any other duly Incorporated street railway
company In the District OF Columbia both
companies shall use the same tracks upon
such fair and equitable terms as may be
agreed upon by said companies, and in
the event said companies shall fail to
agree upon equitable terms, either OF said
companies may apply by petition to the
Supreme Court of the District Of Columbia
which shall hear and determine summary the
matter in due form of law and adjudge to the
proper party the amount of compensation to
be paid therefor. Said company shall charge
not exceeding 5 cents fare for one continuous
ride from any point on its line to the terminus
OF its main line or any of its branches.
The company is authorized to increase its
capital stock $500, 900 for the purpose of ena-
bling it to extend and equip its line as provided
in this act.
Unless said extensions are commenced within
three months and the cars run there within
one year from the passage Of this act. the
authority hereby granted shall be void: Pro-
vided, That said railroad shall be constructed
on such grade and in such manner as shall be
approved by the Commissioners Of the District
OF Columbia.
Congress reserves the right to alter, amend
or repeal this act
SOME ExLASATIoSs MADE.
Mr.. Hemphill explained that owing to the
illness of Mr.. Heard this bill had not been re-
ported to the House until this morning and the
report had just been printed, but the bill was
not on the House calendar. He explained the
general purport Of the bill In answer to
questions by Mr. KilRore Mr.. Hemphill said
that the city authorities had Endorsed the pro-
posed extension of the route.
Mr.. Seerly of Iowa wanted more explanation
than he thought afforded by Mr.. Hemp
nils explanation, and Mr.. Heard thereupon
detailed the route Of theproposed extension and
explained the advantage of having a road
which would connect the Capitol and the Treas
ury Department building. the government
printing office and the new city post Office.
AGAINST OVER CAPITALIZATION.
Mr.. O'Neill of Massachusetts said he did
not want to be considered as opposing the ex-
tension OF the line, OUT tnat ne Is opposed TO
authorizing capitalization which is far be-
yond the cost OF building the road. He said
the Washington and Georgetown road is a
striking example of over capitalization. Only
S25 or $50 has been paid in upon stock worth
$3.50. He said that no charter for a street
railway has been granted by Congress in latter
years that did not permit the watering OF
stock.
Mr.. Hemphill replied that in making this
| statement the gentleman stated that which is
not true. Mr.. O'Neiil reaffrmed the truth Of
his statement.
Mr.. Heard said the capital stock Of the
Washington and Georgetown road is only
$500. 900, but the road is worth 50 600 900 or
"a 600, coo. He had never known bill to come
before the District committee to which there
was SO little objection.
Mr.. Hemphil said the bill had been favorably
reported by the District Commissioners and
unanimously agreed upon by the District COM
mlttee. Not "a single protect had been sub
mitted by any property owner along tie route
1t is known to be the best improvement made
in this city since he had been q member of this
House.
The new line OF cars will give members of
Congress an opportunity to reach the public
buildings by street car instead OF by cabs. The
stock had not been ''watered." Not a single
officer Of the road draws a salary. The road is
not paying dividends and it is believed will
not pay any for the next five years.
ONE MANS OBJECTION.
Mr.. Heard said the only objector in this city
to the road was one man living near the Capitol
On New Jersey avenue one block distant FROM