Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-27
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
John B. Moulton's Claim for Imprisonment
During the War.
He Claims a Constitutional Principle
Is InvOlved-Other Measures
of Local Interest.

l ne vice fTeSluGnt presented petltlOn IN
the Senate today for the relief of John B.
Moulton, 642 street southwest, of this
city, who asks that s71 600 be appropriated
to pay him for his alleged Illegal imprison-
ment during the war Mr.. Moulton pre-
sents in his petition an exhaustive review
of his case. He states that he enlisted in
company K, twenty-fifth regiment, Massa-
chusetts volunteer infantry, September q,
1861, for three years. ard that he performed
faithful service as soldier and fought in
several tottles. He further represents that
OH the 10th of May, 1864 while he was in
line of duty en- the field of battle at
Drewry's Bluff. Va, he was captured by
the enemy and sent to Richmond, Va, ana
put in Libby prison: that on or about May
q, 1864, he was sent to Ardersonville, Ga.
and was there imprisol ed inside of the
stockade until on or about September 13
1864, and on that date he was sent to
Charlie Ston, S. G.
He further represents that while he was
a prisoner of war at Charleston, s. c., the
term of three years for which he enlisted
expired on September p. 1864 and on that
date he should have been released and
mustered out of the service, but in con-
tradistinction thereof he was on or about
October Z, 1864, sent to Florence, s.. c., and
there imprisoned inside the stockade, where
he suffered more severely the indescribable
sion. He states that he held as a
prisoner until March /, 1865. and therefore
he claims that he was unawfully impris-
oped 100 days after the term of his enlist
ment.
The petitioner claims that a pre-eminent
constitutional principle is involved in the
case, and he asks the sum of s444.45
per day for each day he was held in the
service a prisoner of war after the term
of three years for which he enlisted eX-
pired. which he states is but small fraction
of cent per day more than was allowed
Halet Kilbourn, in accordance with the
judgment rendered in his favor by the courts
of justice and Congress of the United States
in consequence of unlawful Imprisonment
for forty-five days in the common Jail in
the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Moulton further states that a bill
for his relief was introduced in the House
of the last Congress by Representative
Babcock and referred to the committee on
war claims, and that the bill and accom-
panyng papers were placed in the hands
of Representative Mahon, who. 1t Is alleg-
ed. declined to report it either fayorably or
ucfavorably.
The Highway Bill.
Mr.. Meredith has introduced bill in the
House providing that the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia are hereby
directed to open and grade Columbia ave-
nue. between the east side of 18th street
northwest and Rock Creek Church road,
as that avenue is laid down and shown on
the first section of the recorded plan ap-
proved by the commission created by the
act to provide a permanent system of high
ways in that part of the District of Co
lumbia lying outside of cities, and to thor
oughly light, sewer and improve the same
including the laying of the most improved
earth-surface roadbed in the driveway
thereof. The Commissioners are directed
to widen and grade the avenue in accord
ance with the highway plan from the east
side of 18th street northwest to Florida
avenue northwest, and to light. sewer and
improve it in the same manner, and they
are directed to widen and grade Rock
Creek Church road in conformity with
the highway plan from Brightwood avenue
to the northern boundary of Soldiers Home
grounds, and to light, sewer and improve
it in the same manner as herein provided
for Columbia avenue.
They are also directed to open Piney
Branch pathway as shown on said highway
plan between Rock Creek Park and the
Soldiers Home grounds for a width of
700 feet from the east side of 10Th street
northwest to the Soldiers Home grounds
and for width of go feet, or more, from
the east side of 10th street northwest to
Rock Creek Park, and to grade, light and
improve the same in conformity with the
plan of the said Commissioners, and they
are further directed to open and grade NJ
street from Rock Creek Church road to
the west side Of 18th street northwest and
to light, sewer and improve the same in
the same manner as herein provided for
Columbia avenue.
The said Commissioners are authorized
and directed to condemn the land required
to open and widen the highways herein
specified, and regulations are provided for
the condemnation proceedings.
The amount of money necessary to pay
the judgments Of condemnation and the
cost of opening, lighting, sewering grading
and improving the highways is appro-
priated out of any moneys Of the District
of Columbia in the treasury of the United
States not otherwise appropriated: Pro-
vided, that one-half of said cost shall be
refunded or advanced to the said District
of Columbia by the United States The
appropriation is made Immediately availa-
BILE.
Limited Corporations.
Mr.. Ellis today introduced in the House,
by renueSt a bill nrovidinp for tha forrn,