The times., 1899-12-09

Chief Justice OF the United States. the Com.
missioner OF Education, the Secretary OF
the Smithsonian Institution, the President
OF the National Academy Of Sciences. the
President of the National Educational As
socstion. and the president OF the univer-
sity and of nine other citizens of the
United States, no two of whom shall be citi
zsns of the same State. and who with
their successors shall be appointed by the
President Of the United States. by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate
The opportunities and facilities afforded
by the university are to be free to all per-
sons who, in the judgment of the university
council, shall be deemed competent to use
them but admissions to the university
shall be of those only who shall have
shown such advancement in and possession
of knowledge as TO qualify them to pursue
the higher branches of learning, research.
and investigation.
a Municipal Court.
Senator Mcmillan of Michigan has intro
duced in the Senate a comprehensive bill
for the purpose of establishing a municipal
court for the District of Columbia and to
abolish the offices of justices of the peace
and constable. The municipal court is to
consist of a chief justice and three as
sociate justices, each of whom shall be ap-
pointed by the President OF the United
States for term of six years.
The court is to have Jurisdiction in all
civil cases where the amount claimed 20
be due for debt or damages arising out of
contract, express or implied, or damages
for wrongs or injuries to persons or prop
erty, does not exceed $500; and in all pro-
h,~ -,
where the amount claimed or the value OF
the property involved does not exceed this
sum. including actions by and against ex-
ecutors and administrators, and in cases
between landlord and tenant, aud in cases
between purchasers at sales under deeds
of trust, mortgages, or judgments and the
srantor, mortgagOr. or judgment debtor In
such deeds OF trust, mortgages, or judg-
ments and tenants claiming under them.
except in cases where the title to real estate
is in issue; actions to recover damages for
assault. assault and battery. malicious pros
ecution, actions for breach of promise 70
marry, actions against officers for miscon-
duct in office, or actions for slander or
libel. No power is given the court to issue
any prerogative writ.
The jurisdiction is to be exclusive origi-
nal jurisdiction where the amount claimed
>
volved. shall not exceed $50, and original
and concurrent with the Supreme Court OF
the District of Columbia where the amount
claimed TO be due or the value Of the prop
erty involved, exceeds $50, but does not ex-
ceed $780,
In COmmcmOratiOn of War.
bill introduced by Senator Lodge of
Massachusetts provides that triumphal
arch in commemoration of the war with
Spain shall be erected in this city, and
that three Senator's, to be named by the
President of the Senate. with such mem
bers of the House Of Representatives as
may join, shall constitute a commie zee tc
have charge of the erection of the arch
The bill carries an appropriation of malt
a million dollars.
There is a bill which finds favor with q
majority of the members of the District
Committee which has for its object d
change of the name of Four-and -a-hali
Street TO John Marshall Street. 1t is
understood also that a bill will be intro
| duced empowering the District Commits
sioners to change the names of Thirteen
and-ahalf Street and Six-and-a hal
Street.
Among the measures which will be takeI
| up by the House Committee on the Dis
| trict of Columbia is one providing foI
| leaves of absence TO employees at the Wash
! ington navy yard. The bill recltes that
| all per diem employees in the naval ord
/ nance foundry shall be granted thirty
| days leave of absence each year without
| forfeiture of pay. In all cases. the heads
| OF divisions shall have discretion as L
! the time when leave can best be allowed
| without detriment TO the service.