The evening times., 1900-09-28

eases have been taken in the Supreme
Court of the District Of Columbia, hold
ing a District Court in nine cases.
There were 24T lunaev. proceedings in
stituted by or in behalf Of the Comnais-
sioners.
Our just expectation in relation to the
code OF laws for the District OF Columbia
has as yet failed of realization. The eose
prepared by Mr. Justice Cox. and approved
BY the Bar Association and The Board Of
Trade. was passed with slight amendment
by the House of Representatives, May 3,
1900. and is now pending before the Com
Uittee Of the District Of Columbia Of ths
Senate.
The Commissioners have always appre~
ciated the necessity Of the passage Of tha
code. and should not now abate any effort
in that direction.
the code, as prepared. does not embrace
any part Of the municipal law. but relates
entirely to general law and procedure 4
codification Of the laws OF the District OF
/ Columbia viii be incomplete until We have
q municipal code, embracing the ordinances
of the late corporations of the cities of
Washington and Georgetown and Levy
Court the acts of the late Legislative As
Sembly and the police health, etc, Tegu-
lations, made by the Commissioners under
authority Of Congress. These ordinances
are printed in separate books and PAM
phiets some of which are out OF print and
+ presenting a condition OF az
/ fairs unworthy Of the National Capftai:
laws and ordinances relating to municipal
obligations should at least be known by
/ the citizen desirous Of performing his mu-
nicipal duty.
! 1T IS to be regretted that the decision
/ of the Supreme Court OF the United States
+ in the Potomac Flats case did not finally
{ of Of
so as to enable the Commissioners to carry
/ into effect the act Of Congress relative TO
/ the control of wharf property etc ap-
1 proved March 8. 1899. and thus effectuate
the much-needed improvement of our wa
ter front.
Il again call attention to the act OF
Congress approved January 81, 1899 under
the provisions Of which INDECENT insane
persons and insane persons with hon.
icidaI tendencies are now committed
to the Government Hospital for tbs
| Insane. This act is of doubtful con-
stitutionality. as it in terms denies to the
alleged Iunatic the right of trial by jury
and commits the question CT his sanity L
the determination of a justice Of the Su
preme Court of the District of Columbia
i holding a special term for Orphans Cour
business.
q am satisfied that the District rev
enues would be considerably increased
if the Commissioners were authCrizcd K
compromise taxes and assessments rem
dered unco1IeetibIe because of the fail
ure to observe some detail in the assess
ment or by reason of the lapse of time
Taxpayers are ofetn willing to pay tn
principal of such taxes without tbc pr
aItieS which in some cases exceed tn
tax itself: the Commissioners bein
, without power under existing law t
5 compromise, the assessments are can
celled by judgment of the court Inss
: much as the act of Congress authoriziE,
reassessments allows interest TO /
charged enly from the date of reassess
ment, there could be no possible loss O
revenue if me Commissioners were give
authority to compromise such caszs
'.In conclusion, I beg leave to again cal
attention to the altogether inadeQuat
provision made for the transaction OF tn
voluminous and constantly increasin
business Of the Office Of the Attorney fo
the District Of Columbia.
.sThe duties of the Attorney were pre
scribed by the Act Of tie late Legislative
Assembly. approved August %, 1871. wFfc
provided that the Attorney should be ur
der the direction Of the Governor, an
! nave the charge and conduet Of all la
bus mess of the District ard all suits II
stituted By and against the GovernmeT
thereof: that he should furnish opinioI
: in writing to the Governor, etc. whenevf
requested to do So and that he sIe;I
perform such professional duties as mig
be required Of him by the Governor. or
that the Assistant Attorney should |
under the direction ard control Of the A
z torney. performing sueh duties as nigh
with the consent of the &c TerneT, be a
signed to him by the said Attorney.