Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-15

In, to the extent of the unexpired portion
of the fiscal year ended June 80 1873, and
empowered the auditor of the Supreme
Court of the District to ascertain the
amount of such claims and report to the
Commissioners
THE auditor gave public notice for the
such presentation expired June II. 1897.
There were about 200 claims filed, aggre-
eating upward of half million dollars.
Act Repealed.
The auditor proceeded with the examina-
ton Of the claims, and allowed eleven of
them, which were approved by the Com
missioners and drawback certificates is
sued in payment of them. Congress subse-
qlently by a clause in the deficiency bill
approved July 10. 1897, repealed the pro-
vision of the act Of January .26, 1881, that
these claims should be paid in drawback
certificates, and also limited the allowance
to be made the claimants to the actual
value of their fixtures, tools and stock In
trade lost or destroyed and to the fair
value of the stall privileges for the unex-
pired term of the fiscal year ending June
80, 1873. 1t directed the auditor to report
said claims SO far as allowed by him. but
without interest, to the Commissioners
who. to the extent they approve mis- find
inEs, are to report the came to Congress
in their annual estimates, for payment out
of the revenues of the District. Very many
ses Sions have been held for the purpose of
taking the testimony in these cases before
the auditor. and these hearings, which &C.
cur twice week, are still in progress.
Insurance Laws.
Our laws in regard to insurance needs
reform. especially as to life insurance on
the assessment plan. The business of in
STRANGE in this District is large enough
now to demand better and more elaborate
regulation than we have A bill on the
subject was introduced at the last session
or Congress. The substitute bill prepared
by this office, and approved by leading I'M
derwriters of this city. should be brought
to the attention of Congress.
Il have the honor to renew the recon-
mendation. contained in my last annual re-
pert, that the law in regard to the judicial
expenses Of the District be changed AS
the law now stands the fees of the clerk
OF the Supreme Court of the District for
records and the cost Of printing in District
cases before the Court of Appeals and the
ices Of the marShaIS office are required 10
be paid In advance It seems to me this
present arrangement between the govern
ment and the District. the latter. paying
one-half the judicial expenses, SHOULD be
its litigation.
Our law in regard to the opening Of al
ieys needs amendment in view OF the de-
clsion of the Court of Appeals IN District
VS.. cemetery.
year In regard TO the inspection of lumber.
congress should be asked to delegate to
the commissioners authority to make and
enforce reasonable regulations in regard to
lumber inspection.
Remission of Fines
Fhe Commissioners should have the
power to remit fines and to grant pardons
Tor onenses against the laws and ordi-
nances of the District. Such a change in
existing law would save frequent applica-
tions to the President. The authority of
the Commissioners in respect to the remis
sion OF fines and the granting of pardons
10 now limited to offenses against tha old
ordinances of the city, the Levy Court and
| TO acts OF the legislative assembly
The law of 1887 restric ting the owner
snip of land In the territories and the Dis
triot OF Columbia to citizens Of the United
states should be changed so as to exclude
the District from its operation, and thus
save frequent applications to Congress- for
exemption from it,
There were 1899 cases examined and
lied ON the District side of the Police
Court during the year of this report: of
Iris number S,911 cases resulted IN conyic-
lions, $50 cases were dismissed and in 912
cases personal bonds were taken which
means conviction without penalty, This
Is slight decrease in the number of cases
as against the previous year. The fines re-
celved IN District cases during the Same
period amount to s22.055,6S being a slight
increase over last year"