Evening star., 1896-03-31
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
Street Railways.

DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
Street Railways.
AS predicted in The Star. the Commission
ers have reported in favor Of granting the
Capital Traction Company the right to the
territory west Of 18th street which was con-
tended for by the Columbia road as a west
ern extension. To bring this condition about
the Commissioners yesterday recommended
adverse action upon the bill extending the
Columbia railroad and submitted substi-
tute provid ng its extension along Bladens-
burg road, and make no mention Of a west
ern extension. After reporting the BILL the
Commissioners say by way of explanation
that there is an additional reason for op-
posing the western extension Of the Column
bia road. Instead Of running from 18th
street and New York avenue to 18th and g
street along the tracks of the Capital Trac-
tion Cmpany, 1t desires to lay double
track on 18th street from New York avenue
to H street, along H street to 18th and
down 18th to G. This plan would make
three sets of curve tracks at 18th street
and New York avenue, which the Commits
sioners think would be highly undesirable.
The. commissioners believe that the consoli-
dation Of the Columbia and Metropolitan
roads would be advantageous for the public.
Concerning the extension Of the road along
the Bladensburg road, the Commissioners
say: 'The extension would be public ad-
The Columbia Suburban road charter has
expired, and the extension is q natural one
for the Columbia road. The company is
better prepared to make it than the Eek
ington road. We al so recommend the Co
lumbia extension on the Bennng and Ana
costa roads. The roads should also be wild
ened, and the tracks should cross the East
ern branch on separate bridge by double
tracks. The bridge would cost $1,000 Our
substitute bill embraces the easterly extern
sions asked for by the Columbia road, its
consolidation provisions with the Metropoli-
tan road and the provisions for the widen
ing Of the roads mentioned. We suggest
that trolley be prevented on these roads. If
the roads consolidate, the company shall be
known as the Metropolitan Electric Trac-
ton Company"
Adverse Action.
Adverse action is recommended by the
Commissioners upon Senate bill 1910, to
amend the act Of June 30 for the relief of
holders of special assessment certificates.
The provisions of this bill have heretofore
been fully printed in The Star, together
with the objections of the authorities there
to.
Horse Racing.
The Commissioners renew their former
favorable recommendation upon Senate bill
1865, relating to horse racing in the District
a letter from their attorney recommending
the passage of the same.
Favorable Report.
A favorable report was submitted yester-
day by the Commissioners upon Senate bill
2ttsS, which provides for the transfer of
prosecution against certain acts Of Con-
sress from the United States to the Dis
trict.
Rights of Married Women.
The bill which seeks to amend the mar
riage laws in the District of Columbia was
reported to Congress yesterday afternoon
by the Commissioners without recon-
mendation. They submit, however two let
tiers upon the subject. one from the at
torney and another from Ellen Spencer
Mussey, chairman Of the legislative COM
mittee of the Federation Of Women's Clubs.
They are as follows:
Attorney Thomas says: THE District
laws relating to the property rights of
married women are in a very unsatisfac-
tory condition. The proposed bill has
some defects, but If enacted, would in
many respects improve the present law
The bill is deficient in not providing that
married woman shall be entitled to the
proceeds of a judgment in favor of her
injuries. e4As the bill now stands the courts
might limit her right of action to her sep
arate estate.
1T is Objectionable in giving a woman
married out cf the District, whose hus-
band afterward becomes a resident of the
District. greater rights than it does to
woman who was married in the District
1t proposes material change in the
rights OF married woman in the estates
of her deceased husband. By the present
law widow is entitled to third of her
husbands personal estate. The bill makes
her entitled to one-half: but in my judg-
ment she should have but one-third, and
she should be entitled TO one-third of the
real estate. The bill makes a man re-
sponsible fol his wifes ante-nuptial debts
but in my opinion this is wrong
An important change is made by the
bin in tie law as to the relations of pa
rent and child. Now the father has the
power to appoint guardian to his child
born or unborn, and the guardian has
The father is now the natural guardian of
his child, but. the bill makes both the
father snd mother the natural guardians
The father should continue to be the natu-
raj guardian, unless superseded by decree
OF a court of competent jurisdiction and
in such case the mother should succeed
him. Instead of giving a widow one-half
of all the real and personal property of
TIE husband, l would reduce the share to
one-third."
Ellen Spencer Mussey, chairman of the
legislative committee of the Federation of
Women's Clubs, submitted a report on the
BILL in which she says:
Our committee has considered the OBJ
jections made by the attorneys. We have
no objections to Mr.. Thomas suggestions,
but think 1t hest to put husband and wife
on an equality. The attorneys do not
agree on section three. The section is in
ttbded to enable the wife to recover per-
more
explicit. 1t is suggested that the widow
Is not liable for tie maintenance Of her
family, but this committee has never
known of case where widowed mother
In business did not provide for her fam
ily We do not consider, though. that
married woman In business should be liza
BILE for the support of ner family This
would allow worthless husband to evade
his responsibilities. The woman should
not be encouraged to make a livelihood
for her family when the husband can
do it, but, if she is forced to provide for
the family, she should be given every pro-
lection Of the law.
I'VE agree to make the Widows share
one-third instead of one-half of the real
and personal property. We submit that
woman Of property who marries a
worthless man protect her property
by marriage contract. Very few men
know their wives capacity for business
but women generally do well with prop
erty 1T them.
I'VE differ entirely with the attorneys
as to a fathers guardianship rights. The
mother has right in her child different
from any other right in the world, but
We trust that both father and mother will
be given equal rights in their children"
~ Mr.. A. b. Cfansby Of lss Kerr
~ NJ street, Memphis. Tenn. writes that
MS wife had cancer which had