Evening Star Newspaper, December 6, 1875, Page 4

rae Se ae ~ ae pass EVENING STAR. MONDAY. . December 6, 1873, Weather Probabdilitice To-daz, Orrt CuIEr SIGNAL OFFTe™R, WaserwoTos. December 6, 1873, H For the lower lakes, middle and eastern states, northeast winds backing tonorth west, lower temperature, stationary or rising ba- remeter. ard clondy weather, With occasional light rain or snow. LOCAL NEWS. Amusements, &e., Wationcl Theatey—Mr. Joun MeCallongh in | whe “G.adiator ” Fonts eompe € Wrestling Joe,’ and a ‘The street lamps will be lehted at 19.45 p. wo. and extinguished at ‘The M putan T Cp and Jackson Pemoeratre on serenade the new Sy caker te-r Pp er, colored, w work at his legs broken in of a bank of y. had one'or fant was found pile at the corner of ti and F st, Which the Coroner decided mber ve been preferred on With the ed from the y night while honse ¢ 4 his monnt *. Mitchell, enographer of Alatama Claims, and corres- t of the Danb , Was on Satur- r aproited a t commissioner and e District Court | era! Term. Last week Joseph Stewa bright yellow barbcr, was before Justice Shea on the | charge of being the father of a child born of Mary Lane, in Noverabe , and canfessed judgment. ‘He faiied to procure a real estate bond, and tie jus offered, and committed him to jai Rev Uriel Graves, whose ministry has i with so much success in our and who may Ww neran Cuurch, ngsat St. Paul's proer H au Domer, pastor. itaining Chistopher Inste- f M streets northwest, last evening. the sewer bursted under the horse. ard the Anima) suddenly disappeared, drop- ping down seme ten fect to the bottom of the sewei. A crowd of citizens, alter naru work, succeeded in hoisting him out. The new church of the Asce: de- ed in Tae Star of Thursday, was d for prbiic service iter and were large congregations both at the nd evening service. The following were present: Rector, n€ assixtant rector, Rev. Robert Wilson. D. | Alexander Shiras pia. iene triet of Col ity on the 2th ultime at the Imperial aturday even- unwell ‘and re- terday. Bi iar druggisi for @ half 4 ° 3 . warm. s sen he body was removed to Mr. Har- e undertaker, on F street, where © Patterson and Deputy Hartigan iding @ post mortem examination. A vial. containing a small was found in his bed beside ng no doubt in the mind of the coroner thai death was caused by its effects. He was about fifty years of age, #ix feet high yout two bundred pounds. His un Paris, Kentucky, where hits be sent after embaimment. An inquest will be held to-morrow morning. ————— STATE OF POLICEMAN PRICE—7 Hlusbend.—In the Cireuit ige Cartter) this morning, the case te of the late Thomas Price (who T of years was a member ot the m police force, attached to the inet) was taken up; the question ried by the jury being as to whether Bricget Price is the widow of the deceased. Price died a few years ago at the second pre- cinet station-house, and leit considerable property, mostly in moners, notes and se- eurities. Administration on the estate was ciaimed by Bridget’ Price (formerly Dunn), to whom be bad been married a few years, bot who for some reason had not lived with ber husband for some months previous tohis decease. Letters were granted her, and a few months afterwards a clair was put in by @ woman in Ireland, who representad that the real name of deceasel was James Tre " Lyons, and that he was her husband, and | deft ber several years ago with two children and came io tis country, where ne took the bame of Price when he énlicted in the army. ‘The letters of administration to Bridget Price were revoked, and coilectors of the estate were appointed, and issues were made up for tr ones appear for the widow in Ireland, amd nm and P. H. Roinehart hington widow. — Habeas Corpus Cer noon the hibeas co st John Harrison and wife, ¥ of plaintitt’s wife ey —was belore Jidec Humphreys. fer bearing testimony, all the parties except the women war qui ber pare’ She said that she loved her hushand, but was afraid of the fonsequences sbould she return to him. Judge Humphreys then sent for the father and brother of the woman and aimouisned ihem that they were living under laws that guaranteed the freedom of a married woman. She was unable to decide to wnich party she Would cling, but be would state tnat the court would protect her in going with whom she pleased. The woman left the room with her father and brother without looking at her husband. She was evidently thoroughly un- der their contro} —~—— ELECTIONS OF OF FICERS.—The Ne blican association or rv ning rs: Hon. . president; sident; J. H. Carmienck, H. Harris, assistant secretary: fnaneial secretary, (re-elected xth time Hi. Hilis, treasurer: Mitcheil C. € Win- slow, executive committee. The Minne: republican associati elected the fallowing officers Saturday eve- E King. president: Richard F. SS Jobn T. Heck. secre- 3 M. Smith, treasurer: L. Twiteh- eli, C. T. Widstrand, and W. W. Case, execu- lve committee. as The Great Ovatcrio Singer of the Warld, Mad'lle Titiens, will appear in “The Crea ton” on Friday evening next at the Congre- Nepal Church with the Philharmonic So- ciety, whose chorus will number one hun- dred. Prof. Walter wil! preside at the grand organ, and Dr. Caulfield will conduct. Mad'lle Titiens has long been recognized as finest oratorio singer of Europe, and since her appearance in this country the critics of Boston and New York have spoken of berin beam ron terms. A singer coming from ton showered with plardits of “Well done” should attract large audi. ences elsewhere. Having appeared in con- cert here the opportunity for her in ratorio is one which should be accepted. Tiekets may be secure at Metzerott’s. ———Ss PR mod L Wate, the A garb cg oo * uel res! ‘ted citizen, who had been 311 from Grepey, for some ‘weeks Past, died at bis residence, No. 00 M street northwest, Saturday afternoon. in the 50h Teor ethie see. His funeral took place from is residence at 2-30 o'clock p. m., wae: and the service at the Church of [nmmaculai Conception was largely attended. THEODORE THoMAS and bis unrivalled or- ehestra will an engagement at Iincoin Hall on Tuesday evening, December nei ed Antotnetl Sterling will be . . An tte Sterling, will be Presented in these : sale of seats will commence ber $th, at Metzerott’s. TEE METROPOLIS SAVINGS BANK five per cent. interest on ali its thade 08 or before the Sd of each mon! Its board rectors is 4s follows :—Sam’l James 8.'Edwards. 4 James 8.'Ed Joho H. » G. Re rbour, G. BW. ag Henry Stras- f 2 dying | ice revased to take that | lth | I by a jury, and those issnes now | Messrs. J. F. Ennis and F. W. | were sent from the room, aad she | concerts, pr og are rich as Mr. Thomas’ selections | THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. Where To Buy Holiday Goods. In order that the huncred thousand reaters of Tur STAR may know jast where to go for fuch articles as they may need for holiday | use or holiday gifts, we note below the places where they can be best accommodated, and Tropese to continue this useful directory rom day te day during the festive season, | &s new advertisements appear. GForce ©. HEXNING boids that “He will never bave ® good thing cheap who is afraid to ask the price;” and invites the inspection of the public to the most complete assort- ment he bas ever offered of ready-made koods. The second floor of his large estab- lishment ts the customer department, where first-class garments are made in handsome style. A cash discount of ten per cent. Give i 1, ard be will send you away “the nion and the mould of form.” 110 Meody and Sankey have not arrived yet, | bot Their hymn books are for sale at WM. BALLANTYNE'S, 428 ith street. Buy onc, ard have a little revivai your own. The attention of the s of Washington | isfnvited to Cur. Rr ERTS fancy and Worsted store. ‘The elegant perfame and lly white, comprising six of the most popular n the market, can be obtained 7th street. argairs inal! kindsof dry goods 's popular oue-price sto: 4 cy for Demorest’s reiiavle | | patterns. kor the benefit of the many strangers in > city, We would state that the New ork Penns: vanin avenue, Wil be | op 1 | t LERUN offers & la - | » ladies of every nt 172 West Baltimore nginable artic! ‘e to the most of silver, astly and est pri ished. Bevrrivg | now opening gant goods tea. plated wa’ itable for the ho would be of a ts never furnished thoroughly a piano. One of Decker’s manufac ither grand. square or upright, ean be 1 at G. KURN’S, 407 Ith street. reasonable. Terms easy. ekeepers can always find a fill stock rockery, and fine glassware, «c., | at HormEAD & Co.'s, S16 7th street. Jas. 3. TopnamM bas a large assortment of carriage robes, horse covers, satehels, &¢.,at | bis practical trunk and harness manufac- tory. 225 7th street. M. W. GALT, Bro. & Co. havealways kept @ good store and a well stocked one, yet the amount of goods on band this year fs sur- rrising. The diamonds, jewelry, watcues, | silverware, and fancy goods of every descr! p- tion and variety, which they offer to the public make a sight well worth seeing. Wed- dings seera to be in vogue this year, and Galt seems to make brida! presents a spe- | cialty. Mr. L. C. BrsHor has a large supply of drugs, medicines, chemicals, fumes, &e , at moderate prices. vania avenu —— THE COURTS. COURT IN GENERAL TERM. On Saturday, after our report clos following euses were up :—Koane, exeeator, et. lenver & Peek; decree overruling ex- ceptions and confirming auditor's report. Io re Herzog; ease postponed indefinitely. Dainese agt. Hale; entry on general term minutes ordered to conform to pleadings. Charles L. Pollock, of Virginia, and Hobart, of Baltimore, were admitted to the bar. Knoeden agt. Meloy, executor; ja‘ ment below reversed. Shoemaker agt. 1/1 triet of Columbia; decree of Equity Cox confirme oughian agt. Poulson; a over. nling exceptions at Cireuit Court, case remanded, thence to be certified to Pro- bate Court; notice of appeal to Supreme Court of the United States. Milla agt. Grane and Alexandria Railroad Company; judge- meptafiirmed. Charles N. Thomas was ap- pinted an examiner in chancery. Beall agt. altimore and Obio Railroad Company: judgment ordered to be entered here on verdict for $4,000 and costs, subject to re- mittitur. Mr. Selden announced the death of Charles P. Harmon, esq., a member of the bar, in ‘Appropriate terms, and the court adjouri.od in respect to his memory. CemmtnaL Court—Jucye Mae Arthur. The December term of this court was co: vened this morning. The grand jury w. called, and ali answered wita the exception ot Mr. J. P. Klingle, absent in California. Judge MacArthur stated that it was neces- | S#ry thal the court take extreme care that | ine grand inqnest be properly organized, in | order that their work may stand the test of technical objections. He then qu7stioned of | the clerk and marshal to be informe: as to when the jurers were drawn, and was answered that the drawing was by the clerk person,on November 22d, and they were srinmoued on the 24th and Yeth. The court decided that the law as to drawing and sum- moniug had been complied with—the draw- ing baying taken place over ten days beiore | the term. The jurors were sworn and separ- | ately questioned as to their qualifications, | and the followingjwere execu ed: K.M. Hick- | | man. & government employee; Robert Cohen, over age—nearly 70; Moses Kelly. treasurer | of the commissioners of the sinking fund. haries Johnson, government employe: Wm. H. Brawner, served on a jury last July: Charles Mallard, over age; ‘and Jobo H. | McChesney, served on a jury within two years. The marshal was directed to draw | the names of eight others to fill the jury to | the requisite number—23, and the jurors were discharged until to-morrow. The petit jurors were called; James Worm- | ley failed to answer. . W. Cochran was ex- cused on physician's certificate; Albert Glea- | son, having served on a jury withintwo years; Benjamin F’. Moxley was returned de- | Ceased: Alired Richards, excused on pu | Gian’s certificate; Henry Warren, over a, | W. A. Gray, resident of Maryland: J. F. | Wiikinson, employee of government; Sam 1 Gedney, been on ajury; James M.’ Latia, member of the bar. The marshal was di- rected to fill up the jary to 26. HOW WAS THIS MANAGED? The case of Elizabeth Kennedy, appeal for keeping a bawdy house, was cailed, ant fuil- | ing to auswer the is were ordered to be | forfeited. No bond could be found and the | record showed that she had been committed | | to jail in default of bail, but the jail docket | dic not show that she had ever been there. The District Attorney suygested thata bench | warraut issue, when it was answered that | Sueh @ Warrant would not reach her, as she Was in Dayton, Ohio, keeping up her busi- ness. -,.,. POLIcE CouRT—Jucge Snell. Wise Williams, vagrancy; ninety days. James Morrow, carrying conce: led Weapo: S20 or thirty days. Henry Williams, same: "0 or ninety days. Eli Hawood, profanity: $10 or thirty days. Levi Murray, do.; $5 or twenty days. George Young. do.; do. Hattie Sondheimer, enticing prostitution; do.Thos. | Sutton, profanity; do. Oiho Mead, Ben) Johuson and James Offutt, disorderly: $5 | each. Robert Jones, profane; #3. Charles Green, do.; do. John Graves, do.; do. Deisy | Adams, do.;do. Wm. Whaley, do.; do. Jos. Lee, disorderly: $10. Aune Coleman, do., $5. Frank B. Clark, profane; do. Edw. Woods, disorderly; $5. Join Dunagin and Michael Knighton, do.; $5 each. Edward Smith, pro- fanity; $5. John Dwyer. do; st. Emma Johnson, disonterly; £5. John Boswell, do.; =5. Wm. H. Harris,larceny of money from W, H. Cotton; six months in jail; appeal. Thomas Kobinson, larceny of a letter Ke; 20 or thirty days. Winfield Scott, assault | upon the warrant of the | tate in the city, county, and Geo: | including government and District | ttation June 30, 1576, and it is important th: | ance ot their duty, and resulted, as t with intent to kill Wm. Robinson, colored, by shooting him on the tsth of November; held for action of grand jary. Annie Fouth, larceny of money from Joseph Burk; held for Ube action of the grand jury. Wm. Powell, larceny of a barrel of apples from Gustave — dh y Bn days. Fea Doe jem e n brncbes accra: was fined se. F.H. Fin le: nea Haggaman, assault oo co. Rout; $30 or sixty days. ylor and Andrew Hilleary, lar- ceny of twenty-five pounds of butter from G. Ww. , &t the Western Market; $30,or 5 months in jail. Joshua Black, larceny of a por gee of < tgs CEA held for action o i x wit Same omenee: dismissed. ' ——e—_—_. Book SALE Tuts EVENING.—Commepc- ing this evening at 7 o’clock Thomas Dow- | neror Penues vane a veune aud iith ctaset, FO! sylvan A poop gt collection of & very large and vai le books, being the private .‘ibraries of the late James Causten, esq., and others, aud comprising many rare and. on history, bi » poe.T¥, ee bh language and literature, &e., &e. will bea | vocingg read to secure many valuable at your = Price. WEDDING.—The twenty-fifth an- SILVER niversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant lends of the cou; pene) | about one hundred ‘lad and gentlemen: portant ovo cng PRIGG’S JEWELEY Store received some beautiful styles of Lake George «'fa- Roman Spa Be et jowenry? No. 4ci Pennsylvania uyenue, near $x street. THE DISTRICT CO qisslONERS. [Continued From First Page.) the Baltimore ard Ohio Rafiroad Company to pay taxe® pon its realestate in the Dis- treet. An evtion has been tin behalf of the Dirtrict against the WASHINGTON MARKET COMPANY for the recovery of arrears of the annual Tental of bape ~ tind Rregaponaperlerg wed im- upon that com} ‘ongress Bray bo, isto. Thatenactment directs that the sum fead oder? neg shall be applied by the District author! to the relief of the poor. The company claims that the rental was subsequently reduced, first, to twenty thous- ard dollars by an enactment of the late Legislative Assembly, and afterward to a sum varying from fifty-five hundred to seventy-five hundred dollars, by au are, ment with the late Board of Public Works for the purchase of a tract of land as a site for a District eyes The constraction of the enactment of the Legislative Assembly, which ts relied Le sd as reducing the annual rental, is a questionable one; and the power of that body to reduce a trast-fund created by act of Congress is also doubted. It is also believed that the Market company was Without authority to sell, and the Board of Public Works without authority to purchase the Jand, in consideration of the consequence of which the last of the two attempted re- cuetions of rent was made, The ground was beld by the company on a@ lease from the United States, subject to certain trusts. These considerations have ied to the above mentioned suit for the recovery of t ah ount of rent as origina fixed by aet of Congress. SUIT AGAINST A CONTRACTOR. Allusion is also made in the re suit brought against c Who has failed to keep n repair for three years as stiy fed in his agreement with the Board ot Pab- lie Work: ALL MONEYS AND SECURITIES of the District government are de; With the United States Treasurer, moneys bave been paid for any purpose but accounting officers of the District on the United States Treasury countersigneéd by one of the Commissioners THE REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES shows the whole amount of taxes in ar: for the payment of which propert fered for sale in June last, was $1, Of this there was paid by owners and other private leaving a balance of $1,6.406.59 collectible only by the Disirte * the property. Of lis only $415,007.95 has been since paid. The District holds the so pur- chascd for the unpaid difference, $1,218.428.9) but can make no reliable calculation for the redemption of the property within any deii- me, and it is thus deprived of its just the extent of such tax arrearage to t and other expenses. The rages of taxes now due and al purpose of tue Dis- the Collector tol 600 10 $1,001 160,000, Under an effective system tho District Would have now in its ‘treasury tie larger portion, if bot ali, of said $960,000. In view of these and like evils of the Fresent system, and the wrong it works lo ibe prompt taapayers as well as to the fiuan- cial interests of ‘the District, foreibly pre sented by the Collector in his accompanying report, the Commissioners recommend that such légisiation be had as will remedy said evils, will clearly define the rights of delin- quent taxpayers, and enable the District ut to enforce the prompt payment ted with the matter of tax-sales the sicners fovite the attention of Con- gress to the suggestions of the Collector for Such modication of the law relating to ad vertisernents for Such sales as will make it necessary for such advertisements to give only an intelligible deseription of prop erty, to whom assessed, and the time woen the privilege of redemption will expire We commend to Congress the recommenda- tions of the Collector for such legislation as will maketliegal any sub-division of prop- erty on Which arrears of taxes exist or the entry of such sub-division in the publie records of the office of the Surveyor. The Collector in his report shows the evils of the existing system which legalize and permit record to be made of such sub-division with- out regard to the property being in arrears for taxes. The Collector presents a schedule of the nurober and classes of issue of licenses from November 1, 1574, to December 1, 1875, a period of thirteen months, showing the total number of issues tohave been 11,769, and of classes 46, The Collector reports the total receipts of his office from November 1, 1574, to Decesber 1575, a period of thirteen ths from the te of his last report $2,559,595.0%. ASSESSMENTS AND TAXES. The report of the Superintendent of Asscse- ments and Taxes includes a tabulated state- mentof the taxable and untaxable real cs- govern ment buildings, which aggregate = The existing tax law, passed at the las’ session of Congress, expires by its own lim. Congress should enact a law for the levyi of taxes for the next fiscal year at an carly date, so that sufficient time Will be given for the appraisement of such new buildings as have been erected since the last general ap praisement, and which will be erected before the next. The late period of the passaze of the present tax law, March 3, 1575, seriously emba.rassed the assessors In the P i in their report, in their not apprais!« personal property within thedistrict for taxation. ASSESSORS. In their accompanying report th appointed under the act of March 3, 1875, to assess the value of all the real and personal property in the District taxable under said act, explain the canses that prevented their executing 80 much of their duty as related to the appraisal of personal property, to which We invite the attention of Congress; and with it to the Spay eed between the Com- missioners and the assessors on that subject. The Commissioners regret the failure of the assessors to comply with the law in that re- em but appreciate the serious difficulties ey encountered. They invite th tention of Congress to the recommendation of the as- sessors for the substitution of licenses for a tax on personal property; and while they are not prepared to favor such a policy they venture to suggest that ifa tax on personal Property be not continued, the present rates of licenses should be increased and their range enlarged. ENGINEER. The Engineer communicates full Informa- tion of the transactions of his department during the past year. The work and conse- quent expenditure, chiefly in tne fifty-year bonds provided for by the act of June 20, 1874, and pursuant to examination and audit of the accounts by the Board of Audit, consist- ing of the First and Second Comptrollers of the United States Treasury, exceed the ex pectations of the Commissioners as indt- cated in their last report; but the causes therefor, growing out of obligations for the execution of existing legal contracts, the protection or preservation of improvements existing or commenced and not completed at the date of said act, and the enforcement of obligations of coutractors for keeping nues and streets whieh they improved in | good repair, fully expiain the reasons for such increased work aud expenditure. It Would be gratitying to the Commissioaers to. be able to report the entire comple! the work under contracts of the Boar! of *ublic Works; but owing to causes beyond their and the Engineer's control, @ small amount of such work, chiefly the James Creek cans) and work connected with it, re- mains unfinished; to which should be addcA the Western market-honse, In process of construction—the cost of completing all of which. according to the Engineer's estimate, Will not exceed $119,055.32. RECOMMENDATIONS. The Commissioners invite the favorable attention of Congress to the recommendation of the engin for the improvement of Penn- sylvania avenue between the Capitol and the Treasury buildings, the establishment yy, law of permanent grades of the streets of ‘ashington and Georgetown; the amending of existing laws relating to assessments for ecial improvements on streets and the im- ovement of alleys; the revision of the ex- isting law relating to and prescribing regu- lations for pailings, and for increasing the water supply for the cities of Washington and etown. A) ied to and made part of the Engi- neer’s report are reports of the Chief Clerk of his office, the Water R itrar, the Surveyor, the In: ‘tor of Buildings, the Superintend- entof rty, the Overseer of airs, the Overseer of Gas iD, id THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDING: in bis accom ing a Z sity for & considerable expe Iistriet to provide suitable improvements for the large rumber of buildings that will be erected in the immediate fature, many of which will doubtless be in localities where Uttle or no improvement has been made. WATER RENT. The Commissioners, in alluding to the Water Registrar's report, endorse his reeom- mendation for a modified and Inereased rate of water rents. PUBLIC SCHOOLS, The Commissioners venture to call the at- tention of Congress to the fact of the Distriet bow owning @ valuable property in the city, of Washington, known as Corcoran square, originally Pp but which they areof the opinion conld be more advantageously used for the public in- terests In aid of the public schools. The Dis- trict purchased wis property under the act of the Legislative Assembly, approved June 19, 1862, aod for its payment’ issued lis bond for the sum of $100,000 a per annum, payable in 2 years, which isnow outstanding. Cash expenditures to the amount of So1,881.64 have been mate on the premises, making the total consideration and outlay $131,881 4. The ciaims of the schools upon the favor- able consideration of Congress are strength- ened by the facts stated in the Trastees’ re- port, that about ove-third of the school pop- ulation is colored, who have come into the District since the beginning of our recerit civil war, and contribute little to the schoot revenues; and that about thirty per cent. of ; ment in the white sehools is eom- ose parents or guardians the Uz States, from eeeived for the support of the per cent. interest are mment of th Lor to ail classes of d ought not to. b: rmony with it the Commis- dd @& congressional appro- therm on made the new in Geor: 1—the ap- propriation to be ms > terms With those for the Georgetown school, and to be expended in the erection of a school buiid- ing for colored school chillren in George- town, The Commissioners recommend that at. thority begiven the District government to sell the property at public auciion at a price not less thaa the total of said one hundred thousand. dollar bond, with the Interest beretofore paid thereon, and the cash ex- pendi tare of $31,881.61, and apply the proceads as fo'lows: One hundred thousand dollars thereof to the immediate redemption, if practicabie, of said one hundred thonsand dollar bond, and, if not practicable, to be in- vested in fecurities of the District at not above their par value, as a fund for the pay- ment of said bond on its maturity; the res'- eto be applielin the purchase of proper sites and the erseiion thereon of suitabie buildings for school purposes; the avails to be divided between the white and colored schools according to the apportionment pre- seribed by law. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. The Commissioners also suggest that such legislation be had as will give the District government, under proper restriciions and conditions, power to make such purchases; and in this connection recommend that like authority be given the District government to purchase such real estate as may be needed for the erection thereon of station- houses for the Metropolitan police, for a Po- lice Court, and for the use of the Fire De- partment, with power to sell the Central guard house and lot,on Louisiana avenue. and the lice station house, corner of K and 9th streets, and expend the proceeds in the ones ae of other real estate and the erection of other police bulldings; and to sell other real estate used and held for school and fire department purposes which is not suitable to their wants, and all other real estate owned by the District not needed for government purposes. The total expense for the support of the public schools for the school year ending August 51, 1875, was $510,246.68, and inciuding the payments of debts due scount of expenses of previous years, $550,707.44. The estimated expense for the fiscal year ending June 39, 1577, is S296,500. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Fire Coramissioners, with its accompany ing reports of the Chief Engl- r and the Superintendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph, presents a satisfactory statement of the transactions of the fire ae- partment for the past year, and of its pres- ent condition. We are gratified to know of the satisfac- Uonof the department with the new fire- alarm telegraph, which went into operation ‘ast September. It will be remembered that both houses ef Congress, at its last session, passed a bill recognizing the importance of & pew firealarm telegraph, and appropriet- ing the sum of =37,500 in aid of its constrac- ton, on condition of the District government expending a like sum therefor. The bill atled to become @ law in not laying been eerolled through a clerical inadverte The necessity for the iminediate coust-uc- tion of the telegraph was such tat we did not feel at liberty to de'ay it untl the meeting of the next ress. The whole cost, $75,000, has been paid out Gi ue D: trict treasury, which we hope may be re bursed by Congress in the one-half- which it would have contributed had the bill it passed become a law; and we respect fully ask an appropriation of that amoant We invite the attention of Congress to the recommendation of the fire commissioners for the organization of two additioual en- gine companies, with the necessary appa- ratus, and for an additional hook and latier company. If Congress be not preparc! to make an appropriation of its portion of the full amount asked for, we venture to recom- mend that a sufficient sum be appropriated which, with the aid of the District, will en- able the department to purchase two engines and organize ope engine and one hook and ladder company. WASHINGTON ASYLUM. The commissioners hope tuat on the com- pletion of the new government jall the Dis- triet prisoners then in the asylum may be remoyed there, and thereafter all such crim- inals will be incarcerated in that priso The asylum needs some additional improv ments for the proper and humane accommo- ation of the pauper inmates, which the Dis- trict government will cheerfally make. Tne Commissioners invite the attention of Con- gress to the suggestions of the commissioner for the reorganization of the PUBLIC CHARITIES OF THE DISTRICT, tothe end of having them put uader the control of a commission, to Which shall be intrusted the disbursement of all moneys, whether appropriated by Congress or con- tributed by the District, forthe support of such charities, and who shall account for the same to.the District authorities under such regulations as shall be prescribed by law. BOARD OF HEALTH. Under the intelligent administration of the Loard of Health the sanitary condition of the District is excellent, and compares c itably with that of the most favored cities of the country. IN CLOSING THFIR REPORT the Commissioners make the acknowledg- ments to the officers of the District gove ment for the intelligence and fidelity which they have discharged their respect duties. and express the hope that Congress, as the legislature of the District of Colum- bia, may enact such laws and make such =r propriations In its aid ag will Permanently advance its material and mora! interests. ——_¢ -—__@- Pablic Works in the District. ANNUAL REPORT OF ENGINEER HOXI&. The annual report of Engineer Hoxie to the District Commissioners of the progress and condition of the work on streets, sewers, roads and bridges, states that a number of contracts of the late Board of Public Works remained unfinished when the last annual so was mude, to which have since been ded sixty-four contracts recognized as ex- improvements and a better knowledze of the Worthless condition of much of the old work established the fact that additional work hands contractors — to fulfill their obligation to keep it in urchased for market purposes, | y | Were used, I believe, exciusively in its pavement of the carriage- way was of wood. and unless some preventive measures be taken more than 4 million square yards would have to be replaced. The poulticing remedy was proposed, or covering the woot with a thin concrete. Subsequent observa- tions of the rapid decay of these prvements bave convin: rae of the impracticability of this remedy. The wood was too far 3 It was crumbling away tn every direction. ‘Streets that ted a fair appearance ia consequence of the absence of heavy travei to break down the blocks, have been redacet to @ mass of tinder when @ run of heavy carts | was turned upon them. The treated been the first to rot. | ' 5 wood bas The metallic salts which pre} aration, seem to have cleared the posers the wood and increase! its power of absorb ing moisture, without haviug any preserva- tive effect. THE CONDITION OF THE DEFECTIVE CON- j CRETE PAVEMENTS was equally alarming. The upper or wear- ing surface d appearing rapidiy,exposet the foundation of the pavement to destruction, and each day's delay increased the cost of repair. The worst varieties of these pave- ments were those that were put down in sach slovenly manner that they neves a ¢dried-out stage, but were resolve their constituent this character contract work Prompt action was both wood and concre | Was determined 2 of th? repairs by contractors. in the ease of p, and thorough work | MR. CR. EVA | for about eizhts tot | | fetive conere was Tepe: tifled tered Into. Publ ¥ ich ® balance os a eeu retained by count, which { in the subject to his order fi | ing made as | ADS, to parties empios work of rep work. Those rey jegaterd tog contractor, Mr. Samuel rber, whose work I soon found to be rather w: original pavement, and cond cordle Was neces: and responsible partie that the amount retained in th with Mr. Evans would not suffice to pu work in order. DEFECTIVE PAVEMENTS AND PAIRS. With the exception of the Neuchatel all of the bituminous coneretes put down are reparations Of the bitumen of coal tar, containing only a small proportion of mineral tar, varying in the quality and pro- portion of the ingredients and the method of manipulation, and all more or less perish able. Proposals for repairing the defectiy concrete work of Mr. Evans and otner con- tractors were invited from the repré tives of the Filbert vuleanic aud the Scliarf concrete pavements, which, in consequence: either of the superiority of the formu! or th conscientous performance of the work, stood the test of use better than any other of the concretes. It was stipulated tuat pa ment shouid be accepted in the Disiric: bonds at par. The methodof repair was that all unsound portions be cut ont, the depressions to"be leveiled with a binder-course, whole to be resurfaced with a first coat, the work to be guarantecd thee The offer from Messrs. Crawford & H for resurfacing was cutting ont and rene THEIR rR- dock, representing the Scharf concrete pa’ ment, the offer was: For resurfacing, $1 per square yard; for cutting out and renew- ing binder, &c., 18 per ceat. in addition ot it. It was evident that the bid of Crawford and Hoffman was much lower than the other. Mr. Murdock subsequentiy agrecd to accept the former terms, and the entire work of re- air of concrete pavements have been done by these two firms. The price of £1.10 was subsequently fixed for resurtacing footwalks, | and all defective concrete work hus been | thoroughly overhauled; 171,427 square yards of carriageway, exclucive of patching, and | 59 square yards of footwalk have been | red and resurfaced, at a total cost of | 1.43, PRESENT CONDITION OF CONCRETE PAVE- MENTS. NTS. snents are all in good condition at present, but will reqaire con- stant attention. The Neuchatel pavemeat bas been down one year and eleven months and bas not yet required any repairs wha ever except over sunken excavations, It has not been severely tried, as its slippery sur- | face causes it to be shunned by regular | travel, but if this defect can be remedied the , [dle vccena should rank as first-class. It has been intimated that the composition whiea was used fo thi ‘y was not the native psphait bat an tificial preparation of limestone and bitumen. If this be the case it has demonstrated the possibility of imi- | tating the process of nature in the atomic | combination of the Ingredients and conse- quently of making this combination in pro- poitious adapted to various ranges of toxa- perature. The present pavetient appears to | e unaffected by the Climate of the’ Distr. -t } of Columbia, | bout five hundred yards of the Grab: ité pavement have beén pat down at the pense of the manufacturers. Their camry Pavement upon 5th avenue, New Yor: which remains apparently unafecte yi three years’ wear, shows that the best | sults may be hoped for from this. | | | The concrete pave The remainder of the concretes are coa! pavements containing from ten to iwe 1 T centum of native bitumen, the introd ion of which, if unskillfully managed, is more ofaninjury than a benefit. The be of these can be laid at from two to three dol- lars per square yard cash, say $250, and should last five years without requiring any general oy ome At the end of that time they | Will have me dry and brittle, will begin | to disintegrate rapidly, and should be re- paired by removing what remains of the top coat and the defective a of the bin'e, reflling the holes and resurfacing. costing about one dollar per square yani, and ‘mast be repeated at the end of the hext five years. | So that the best quality of coal-tar pave- ments can be maintained atan annual cost of about twenty cenis per square yard, or Jess than ten per cent. per annum upon’ the | first cost. This is my opinion of the pay: ments laid by the Board of Pablic ‘ork: but future experience may so improve these pavements as to diminish the cost of main- taining them. bitumen, together with Use fact that the, complete Success In this country is not yet established, prevents them from competing at present on equal terms with the coal-tar pavements. These pavements can be put down at from four to rive dollars per Square yard, say =150. The cost of maintenance in the District of Columbia uuder the present conditions of use and climatic influences re- mains to be ascertained. MORE ABOUT REPAIRS OF THE BAD PAYE- MENT: In order to thoroughly repair the wood pavements it was necessary to get rid of them. To this end, and witha view to the just claims of the delinquent contractors, {t was decided to take upall defective work, select the sound blocks and relay them, aud put down upon the remaining space a pave- ment of stone blocits or of concrete, the eost not to exceed that of the wood pavement. Where the decay was universal the entire pavement was taken up. To avoid the in lermingling of wood with concrete or stone, In alternate PF cepeowvin! tgs section of the old Pavement in the worst condition was select- ed for removal, to furnish the requisiteaum- ber of sound blocks for repairing the balance of the work, and to be eg open by & section of the: €w material. For the sew concrete and reat block pe vembenta the ‘board rates” of | Of injury. The measure of damage fo proy | Creek canal | mits. and sompe fonnd to be toosmall. The improvements tn squares between Iith and 1th ani P and Boundary streets, the natura! reservoir ot this sewer. could not be completed until this sU€amM Was taken Up. as the streets crossed the bed of thestream. The completion of this sewer, which had been carried to Bountary street, was necessary to the protection of ex- isting improvements. An auxillary sewer Was required for reiief, and the dimensions and route of such a sewer was under diseus- sion when the contractor for the 17th street sewer reached the bed of the stream, and in violation of orders continued the coostruc on of the four-foot sewer. The first severe storm swept away about Ofty feet of the work and inundated the surrounding coan- try, carrying away 2 partof the improve- ment of T street, which Lad teen incautiously extended across the creek bed. This storm followed hy two others. each of which renewed disaster in thts neighboriool, and added weight in favor of the construction of the auxiliary sew ‘his has neen con- structed four feet In diareter, Increasing 4)5 feet. and is carric’ to Rock creek by te New Hampshire ave. and © street. subles the capacity of the former the two the foot water "Ally from a let The B street source of compla! It nas been recent! Its fall capacity ficient for the work j A necessary flat gra point of ewer remnins @ is no doadi inst has to periorm With aml with the bighe sewer two foo" b th wil taken The drainag Srect may he Tis neet be not be required b main sew or at i5ti Woen tis ts all done, the prope turned into tt tr ¥ now 1 f ring pr permanent valves, whi with the same effect ipaily m flooding stn d The sth. hasbeen put in fatr condition at ti | the contractor, and the sett have not increased. mbank gave way. feet falling tn. It was found tat t mortar used in its infertor quality. N r at no spandril, cient rigidity to'r: f the embankr The repair of the broken section is i gress. The old sewers of Georzetow of whieh were built halfa cen falling to pieces « in progress upon Di whole of lest sammmer, one eak f another in rapid succession. In each ¢ ft repair @ section of the old sewer 1s removed and permanently restored. so that the re- building of these is gradually accomy It will be necessary to modify the sy: lateral sewers put down darin days of the improvements as § smail to carry off the surface heavy rains. “Ont of the B street sewer were taken last summer 2, and sand, 16,495 ric stone, swept into it by t of the 2th day of Au st storms of less violence whieh pi caused damaxe to property by the Of the sewers at Boundary street. street sewer back its brancho flooded streets % The L street sewer and smailer laterais proved lo be of insufficient capacity, but the defects are partially remedied by the extensio: ers this season. After a full desoription of the effects of t storms of the past year upon tae sewers, the capacity of the James creek, B street, aad other large sewers, it is stated that an over flow can be made at the Botanica! Gardens to avoid the disaster consequent upon heavy sturms, and soregulated as to act the lower arch is under a press) three feet, which it can safely bear. probable that a storm whic: ld overtiow would occur oly many years, and then the inconvenience would be limited to the escape of the surplus water, while the sewer woull be k t Work at its fall capacity and withont danger erty ‘under this arrangemeut can then b made a safe and sure criterion of the ne: sity for an auxiliary sewer. Tals plan in- volves only a smeli expepcitnre, an la not injure theaprear ance gardens nor occasion any inconvenience except wiere the overflow acts; wher they are now subject to flooding at every severe siorm. The construction of an ilary sewer—an interes, t'ng sewer tocarry off the wate: into the Eastern braacu—would cost about a arter cf @ million of dollars, te end of ERAL IMPROVEMENT at dredging of the J an be completed this and the work upon New Jersey should be pushed as long as the weati With the exception possibly * part Of 3d street east, season will close all the Board of Public Works. In the completion of the contract work some modifications of the plans of the Board ¢ it is stated t of Public Works bave been made. Some ac- | tuon should be taken to dispose of a ¢: obstacle to the improvement of a larze t part | of the city. The Washington branch of the Baltimore and Obio ratiroad breaks tue gra € | Ofevery street and avenue ranuing nort! and south between North Capitol aod leih Streets €ast, and occupies the greater part of Istreet between these limits. If the new mee of the road is to be north of 3 tol and the outlet in that direction, both w ‘Washington branch and the Point of Rocits railroad should be put upon Delaware aye- nue. In the southern part of Washington the old canal, as yet unfilled, is the prince: pal obstacle to improvement. Sauitary co: siderations and the proximity of the} can. to the Capitol nnite with the laterests of th section of the city in urging tie importance of this work. The grades of South Washingt: n have been fixed with a view to accomplish this Ailing and the work should be continued. THE PO1SONOUS MARSHES OF THE PoTo- MAC Along the present Potomac front the swash channel, that now floats a light draught sand-boat as high as the !vth-street wnart, gives a wharf line of so little value that | Squatters have usurped the rights of the gen- eral government unopposed, ant ocenpy the line. Belween this and the river cha pel a belt of poisonous marshes stretches from Eashy’s point to the Arsenal grounds, and, until these marshes are reclaimed by filling them up, they must retard the development of the business part of the city and imperil the health of the inhabitants. The plan of the harbor commission, which has had ey of Congress, and for whicn o: $50,000 bas as yet been appropriate, provid for this work. womge : PAVING OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. The opinion of the Commissioners tuat their authority in the matter was somewhat doubtful has prevented the repaving of Pennsylvania avenue between the Treasary the Capitol this season. This promi- ent thoroughfare, the principal approach to the Capitol, is new covered with a layer of decom: Wood. Its condition Is such that all vehicles shun !t, and the Capitol is ap- proached from the northwestern part of the city by the back streets. Any further at- tempt to repair it would be an expenditure thrown away. The avenue requires at once a substantial Pavement, and this can be jut lown very early in the spring if immediate authority be obtained, = “ IMPROVEMENT ESTIMATES In my report of November 20, 1374, 1 esti- mate the cost of ape of contracis then in band at $1,521,270.11. Sines that time the repairs of contract work have increasei this esti mate by $666,123.12. Sixty-four ad- ditional contracts of the Board of Public Works have been recognized as existi: legal obligations, beget with the amend- en cover work consi: neces«ary, Will further Increase the vA 3 up to CONTRACTORS’ FAILURES TO FULFILL ‘until Under in sete, OBLIGATIONS. Of these pavemente aes pea eae majority S4,604,807-28, which provisions of contracts made b; (—— wivalest in cash would be $3,358,425.00. the Board of Public Works, requiring thi ‘lees half the recipts from the Water di it work should be guaranteed for a term of pavements, and is | !2ce last report have been and years, one to three, notifications have been t and $117, on, Sent to various contractors that repairs were long lite ir | Teccipts over $5,813.79. Esti- needed. The majority of these notices have pavement | M&ted halance of present fiscal ', S44,~ received no attention, and It has been neces- by we sources, tracten. pike work and charge it to the con- | ‘The Fianigav pavement, of rocnd trove ty | including talance on N . jon it be made for doing laid foundation of | 2 79. hand abe ol ‘tion of this work, and suits _ te and flooded with the must t to the amounts ex- | y Messre. Page The'r sureties. Under he powers converred espe by acts of on the Commissioners aes {or the preservation of improvements exisi- ae Rd age tunete of the hate’ Boar ‘of Pablic Works. | tes ‘are clouds Bcc count in the hands of the Bound of Await the po tind ad cost was reported to that board, to eee oor bim; and in this way minor re contractors’ work have been made with- thas been Sut lose to the Distss ot. Is was soon evident, portant modi- actors were no anger ta tie handenef tee errenin a well THE ROTTEN Woon PAVEMENTS. anaes Baoeiniony: In the last annual report regrets were ex- aes tation. The ith street sewer was | | mes ter, | nditure by the | pressed that so large a proportion of the READING NOTICES. THE Crows Toots Brvsnes.—Bristies Will pot fall out or break of wh ~~ is stamped Ou bi A PULL LINE of the Crown Tooty snes, Hair Brushes and Combs, by W.s. Tucmp- son, druggist, 705 1th street CITY ITEMS. HALT!- Stimulating Liniment ee al 2. SOUND SLEEP. Vigorons digestion, a oot tite. are aitainable by the regular use of s Lig Beef, tap budes. rcswectee +n Bacten he A LADY WHO Has Lost THRER sows wy consumption writes from Ha Coan, that her only remaint aoghter. bas been saved. she te the use of Hai such diiticn Cranrs he ® ry. an! Gra e a ! sale by Ha GEORGETOWN ADVER WwTs, Cae INGER, 10) BR Best aT For PRY OF OABPETS « Fins. MILLINEGY a nov PAINS LY GOK end Buse RIAMIN MiLLEK, NOS Bretge ore ine our gos movl tr * W, © WHeartters: STEAM DYEING AND EANING EST SHMENT, = wer will cath for and he District t Pres tram and LADIES’ GOODS. LADIGS A IEA HE CELEBRATED GOSSA g TER PROOF THE BAST MENT EVER Mau PPELT Hats ANE BRUSH es K OF S. JUST BE 1.75 een it JUST RECEIVED 4 1, << FEATHER TRIMMINGS, tn all INITIAL BANDKERCHIERS for Lacie, Goutio- men and Children FANCY BOXES, FANS and NOVELTIES for Christmas presente | GEORGETTE KID GLOVES of my own imports tion, tn 2, Sand 4 butt M 5. HUNT, 621 ond 623 D «tr nov2e-tr ts ably low prices. Mes. SELMA RUPPERY, 614 97H Sticer, OrrosiTE Pareyt Orrice, BERLIN ZEFHYRS, WORSTED GUUDS, ana CABVAS EMBBUIDERIES. tion at remark Beantifol evlections of EMBROIDERED SLIP- PRBS and SLATPRE CASES CT aie ona face LIGHT SCREE: ond TOWLE nt of Children’s Merino Cioaks Leggings. aud Foncy Wool te a te ( STRICH TIPS, lee than baif price: Tar all iastionabte colora, at the Chrares the city. ‘ON iB 60% th at. opp La’ DEDUCTION OF TWENTY PER CENT. wilt be made on all BEAL and IMiTATION CRE, st WILLIAN & ARRIVAL OF HANDSOME DEES: MINGS in the latest Sty!*- wel Palecros, WILLI AN gs. NEW Tain ar HE LARGEST ASSORTMENT of LADLE Tiina Stier att OLOAKS and DRESSES a Moderate piicer, et WiLLisa F ‘T_WILLIAN'S Latics will fod samples of COLORED FRINGES for which ordere oan be left to anit their a cary | VERMILYA Ie selling LADIES ELEGANT BUTTONED BOOTS Of bis own make at 50. 610 NINTH STREET, octSo-tr Opposite Patent Office. te: MISS K. A. McCORMICK, 5 =) S$ Pennsyivania Avenue, (Up Statrs.) wens, Trench MILLINERY for the Fall ana aqlmportea BONNETS and BATS to the newest RIDBONS” 2 FLOWERS, FEATHELS, SILKS, Bpecia! attention given to orders. M™® |. ¥. 224NNERET BETCENED FROM Pants ¥ hole oT): Sealine CrREr FXG in ante pranctes. | ESST..BALTINONE. = "> TONE pn whe oir R WATCHES CHAINS ail é DIAMONDS AN SOLID 5. ana ZEENCH ~ ga poe Also. some valu sien, and will be at a great cattifce, LEASE NOTICE tbe rosh @ecerally be fo to reo ducements Please call early,and bavi st choice « os et avethe Girst choice of « o SWEET CIDER. 200 BARRELS SWEET CIDER, from northern New York, and Leadon county, Vir- gipia, in store end to arri ae lowest, ‘Wholesale rates, by sialon 7 SAW C. PALMER, Depot-57 Greene st., Georgetown, D.C, [@Prove THE AIR of. Youn DWELLING: DR. COLEURN'S POROUS BVaPORA TOR, ‘the hot air ere. or steam coil, geieer es the hot, dry end og catarrh, ‘80 prevalent in