Evening star., 1898-09-22

lumbia control of street parking in said
District" supplied remedy to prevent the
occupation Of public space for private
business purposes. When this subject is
regulated as contemplated in said act, 1t
Is believed the mischief will cease, and
that it will not be necessary for the Com
missioners to apply to the courts for man
datory injunction to compel the removal Of
private business occupations from the pub
lie streets.
The Insurance Laws.
Our law in regard to insurance remains
in the same condition as it was at the time
of my last report. There can be no doubt
that existing law on the subject Ca Stat,
1863 needs reform. Especially is this SO III
regard to life insurance on the assessment
plan. A bill ito regulate insurance in the
District of Columbia and for other pur-
poses" was introduced in the Senate on
May Is last. This bill, known s. 1925,
was on June 16, 1895, reported by Senator
Mcmillan with amendments, but owing to
matters of greater Importance pressing
upon Congress 1t did not pass. This meas
ure should be brought to the attention of
Congress again early in the coming session.
My recommendation that the law in
gard to the judicial expenses of the Dis
trict be changed, contained in my last re-
port, was approved by Congress and
clause inserted in the deficiency bill pro-
viding that the District of Columbia shall
not, after July Z, 1895, be required to pay
fees to the clerk of the Supreme Court of
the District instituting suits, to the
clerk of the Court of Appeals, or to the
United States marshal for the service of
process. / am informed by the clerk of the
Supreme Court of the District that this
provision places the District on a better
footing than the United States is in regard
TO fees and that the result will be, perhaps,
to make a deficiency. While in my judg
ment the District in view of it's present ar
rangement to the disposition of it's reve-
rueS at the Treasury Department, is enti-
tied to be placed on the same footing as
the United States, it is not entitled to be
In better position in regard to it's judi
ciai expenses, and the provision in the act
above referred to ought to be modified ac
cordingly.
Recommendation Renewed.
I renew my recommendation in regard to
the inspection of lumber. 1 believe the
Commissioners should be authorized TO
make suitable regulations on the subject.
1 also renew my recommendation that
Congress should confer upon the Commits
sioners power to remit fines and to grant
pardons for offenses against all municipal
law and ordinances. AS it is the Commits
sioners have power only to remit fines and
grant pardons for offenses against the old
ordinances of the city, the late levy court
and the acts of the late legislative assem-
bly,. Such a power in the board of Com
miSSionerS would save frequent applica-
tionS to the President.
The act Of Congress Of 1887 restricting
alien ownership Of lands in the territories
of the United States should be repealed as
to this District.
There were 13 10 cases tried on the Dis
trict side of the Police Court during the
year under consideration, being small in
crease in the business of that court as com
pared with the last year The fines receiv-
ed in District cases amount to ST ,132.03.
being also slight increase as against the
amount received last year.