The evening times., 1896-01-11
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
Bill TO Authorize Appeals From
the Police Court.
COLUMBIA LINE EXTENSION
Many Streets Are Wanted in the
Northeast, and Eastern Branch Ter
rifory 10 he Invaded-Com LII Ission-
ers Explain Their Estimates and
Make Recommendations.

The District Commissioners this morning
| appeared before the subcommittee of the
House Corninittee OH Appropriations on the
District OF Columbia, and explained the va
rious items contained in their estimates for
the ensuing fiscal year
Mr. BAKER OF Hew York has introduced in
Tue House bin which is OF unusual local
Importance, as it proposes To so amend me
law creating the police court as to admit of
appeals.
hany leading lawyers in this city believe
the iaw as DOW i'll operation 10 be un-
constitutional, and consider IL easier to
rectlfy this error than TO carry a test
case 10 the United States Supreme Court.
Mf Bakers bill provides that section
four of the act entitled Ian act to define
the jurisdiction OF the police court of the
District of Columbia be amended
SO that lin all cases tried be-
fore said court the judgment of
the court shall be final, except as herein
aIter provided. II, upon the trial of any
such cause, an exception be taken BY or on
behalf OF any defendant to any ruling of
instruction or the court upon matter of
law the same shall be reduced to writing
and stated in a bill Of exceptions.
Any defendant desiring the benefit of
the provisions or this section shall give
notice in open court Of his intention to
apply for writ OF error upon such excep-
uonS. ana thereapon proceedings therein
shall bc stayed for ten days: Provided, That
the defendant shall then and there enter
into recoSnizance with sufficient surety,
TO be approved by the Judge of the police
court, conditioned that in the event OF a
denial of his application for a writ OF error
he WAL, within five days next after the
expiration or said ten days, appear in said
police cnart and abide by and perform its
judgments. and that i'll the event OF the
granting OF such writ of error he will
appear in said court OF appeals OF the Dis
triot OF Columbia and prosecute the writ
or error and abide by and perform its
Judgment in the premises.
Upon failure OF any defendant to enter
into the recognizance provided for in this
section the sentence of the police court shall
stand ana be executed, pending proceed
lngs upon his appiica ton for a writ of error
and until the final disposition thereof by
the said court OF appeals"
CoLUMBI RAILWAY EXTENSION.
Mr.. Coffin of Maryland has introduced in
the House bill authorizing the Colum-
bia Railway Company to construct and
maintain single or double track railway
and to run It's cars thereon by an electric
chanical power as the Commissioners may
approve, but not by steam, through aud
aions the following streets, road and high
ways in the District:
Beginning at he>present terminus of
the railroad or said company at the inter
section of II street north and Fifteenth
street east, thence along the Bladcnsburg
road To the line or boundary OF the District
OF CoiumbIa;. and also beginning at the
present terminus OF said road at the in
tcrsection OF II Street north and Fifteenth
street east, and thence along the Bcnnings
road on ard over the bridge crossing the
Eastern Branch to the junction OF said
road With the ADacostia road: thence north
along said Anacostia road to the line or
boundary of the District, aud from the in
tcrsection of Jennings road with the Ana
costa road along Bennings road to the in
terscction OF said road with Central ave-
nue..
Unless the extensions are begun within
one year and completed within two years
from the date of approval of this act,
the rights over said roads, respectively,
shall be null and void
THE said company is authorized for the
purpose OF constructing and equipping the
provided for, to increase the
capital stock of the company and issue
bonds
SENATE COMMITTEE.
The Senate District Committee received
a number of communica tions from the Dis
trict Commissioners this morning,
one submitted The draft of bill to
impose licenses upon itinerant musicians.
1t provides that any person playing any
organette, piano-organ or any
organ grinder or itiEerant musician shall
pay an annual license OF $f2 on the first
lay of uly each year, q nj the asseSSormay |
In his discretion grant or refuse any such |
license.
The penalty attached is a fine of not
eSS than So, nor more than SIS, or impTis-
Dnment in the workhouse for a period not
exceeding thirty days.
Another measure recommended is a
Dill authorizing the attorney for the Dis
.rict and his assistants to administer oaths
md arfirmations. \ letter from Mr.. Pugh |
accompanied the bill, explaining the ne
,essity for the passage of the act.
Another communication recommended ad- |
verse action upon the bill TO permit the |
standard Telephone Co. to operate inside |
he District.