craft, whether as observers or participants, taking part in regattas, ama- CHAP. 200.-An Act To establish the port of Conneaut, in the State of Ohio, as a subport of entry in the district of Cuyahoga, in said State of Ohio. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the port of Conneaut, in the State of Ohio, be, and the same is hereby, declared to be a subport of entry in the district of Cuyahoga, in said State of Ohio, from and after the passage of this Act. Approved, May 19, 1896. May 19, 1896. Conneaut, Ohio. try Cuyahoga district. CHAP. 201.-An Act To abolish days of grace on promissory notes, drafts, and so forth, in the District of Columbia. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That on all notes, drafts, checks, acceptances, bills of exchange, bonds, or other evidences of indebted ness made, drawn, or accepted by any person or corporation after the first day of January, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, and in which there is no expressed stipulation to the contrary, no grace, according to the custom of merchants, shall be allowed in the District of Columbia, but the same shall be due and payable as therein expressed, without grace. Approved, May 19, 1896. May 19, 1896. District of Columbia. Days of grace on negotiable paper abolished January 1, 1897. CHAP. 202.-An Act To restore the lands embraced in the Fort Lewis Military May 19, 1896. Fort Lewis Military Reservation, Colo. Restored to public Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the lands included in the Fort Lewis Military Reservation, in Colorado, established by Executive order of date January twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and eighty- domain. two, and located in townships thirty-four and thirty-five north, of ranges ten, eleven, and twelve west of the New Mexico principal meridian, are hereby restored to the public domain. Open to entry. SEC. 2. That said lands shall be subject to occupation, settlement, entry, purchase, and disposal under the public land laws of the United States, except so much thereof as may be embraced in sections heretofore reserved for school purposes, to wit, sections thirty-three, thirty- School sections. four, and thirty-five, in township thirty-five north, of range eleven west; also sections nine, ten, eleven, and twelve, in township thirty-four north, of range eleven west, and also what will be sections one, two, three, and four, in township thirty-four north, of range eleven west, when surveyed: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall be so construed as to interfere with any rights which may have accrued previous to the withdrawal of said lands for the purposes of such reservation, and excluding all general school sections. Approved, May 19, 1896. Proviso. CHAP. 203.-An Act To permit the Pintsch Compressing Company to lay pipes in certain streets in the city of Washington. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia are hereby authorized to grant to the Pintsch Compressing Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, and having a plant located in square two hundred and sixty-nine in said city, permission to lay pipes for the distribution of the gas manufactured at its plant for the purpose of furnishing light to railway cars and the gas buoys of the United States Light-House Board in the following-named streets in said city of Washington, to wit: From the works or plant of said company in square two hundred and sixty-nine along Maryland avenue to Sixth street west; thence along Sixth street to the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad depot; also continuing along Maine avenue to Third street west, and thence along Third street to B street north, thence along B street north to First street west, thence along First street west to Indiana avenue, and thence along Indiana avenue to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad depot, and also across Thirteenth and E streets to the yards of the Southern Railway; also from their said plant or station along Thirteenth-and-a-half street southwest, or along such other street or streets as agreed upon, to the Potomac River; that said pipe lines shall be laid under the direction of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. SEC. 2. That said Pintsch Compressing Company shall furnish said Commissioners with bond or bonds or such other security as they may require to guarantee the strict compliance with the permit that may be granted said company, and to insure the complete restoration of all pavements and other public or private property disturbed in laying said pipe line as aforesaid. SEC. 3. That said Pintsch Compressing Company shall also lower or relay any pipes whenever directed to do so by said Commissioners by reason of a change in the grade of the streets or the construction of any public works therein. Approved, May 19, 1896. May 19, 1896. Patent Office. Sale of copies of specifications, etc. amended. CHAP. 204.-An Act Amending the statutes relating to the sale of printed copies of patents. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section four hundred and ninety-three of the Revised Statutes be, and the same hereby is, R. S. sec. 493, p. 82, amended by striking out the words "within the limits of ten cents as the minimum and fifty cents as the maximum price," in lines three and four, and substituting in lieu thereof, "Provided, That the maximum cost of a copy shall be ten cents," so that the section so amended shall read as follows: Cost of uncertified copies reduced. Proviso. May 19, 1896. Unclaimed freight, "SEC. 493. The price to be paid for uncertified printed copies of specifications and drawings of patents shall be determined by the Commissioner of Patents: Provided, That the maximum cost of a copy shall be ten cents." Approved, May 19, 1896. CHAP. 205.-An Act To authorize and regulate the sale of unclaimed freight, baggage, and other property in the District of Columbia. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United District of Columbia. States of America in Congress assembled, That whenever any freight, baggage, or other property transported by a common carrier to, or deposited with a common carrier at, any point in the District of Columbia, shall remain unclaimed by the owner or consignee, or the charges etc. thereon shall remain unpaid, for the space of six months after arrival at the point to which the same shall have been directed or transported, or after deposit as aforesaid, and the owner or person to whom the same is consigned, or by whom the same shall have been deposited, shall, after notice of such arrival, or after notice to take away such property so deposited, neglect or refuse to receive the same and pay the charges thereon within such period of six months, then it shall be lawful for such carrier to sell such freight, baggage, or other property at public auction, after giving three weeks' notice of the time and place of sale, once a week for three successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the District of Columbia. SEC. 2. That upon the application of such carrier, verified by affidavit, to the supreme court of the District of Columbia holding a special term, setting forth that the place of residence of the owner or consignee of any such freight, baggage, or other property is unknown, or that such freight, baggage, or other property is of such perishable nature, or so damaged, or showing any other cause that shall render it impracticable to give the notice or delay the sale for the period provided in the first section of this Act, then it shall be lawful for such court to make an order authorizing the sale of such freight, baggage, or other property upon such terms as to notice as the nature of the case may admit of, and to such court shall seem meet: Provided, That in case of perishable property the affidavit and proceedings required and authorized by this section may be had before a justice of the peace. SEC. 3. That the residue of moneys arising from any such sale, under either the first or second section of this Act, after deducting the amount of charges, including charges for transportation, the cost of handling and storage, demurrage, and the costs and expenses of proceedings to authorize the sale, and of advertising and sale, shall be paid to the owner of such freight, baggage, or other property, on demand. Approved, May 19, 1896. Sale by common carrier for charges. Sales by order of court. Proviso. Proceeds of sales. CHAP. 206.—An Act To provide for the drainage of lots in the District of Columbia. May 19, 1896. Drainage of lots re- quired. Sewer and water connections. Proviso. All buildings to con Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That each original lot or subdi- District of Columbia. visional lot situated on any street in the District of Columbia where there is a public sewer shall be connected with said sewer in such manner that any and all of the drainage of such lot, whether water or liquid refuse of any kind, except human urine and fecal matter, shall flow into said sewer; and if such original lot or subdivisional lot is situated on any street in said District where there is a public sewer and water main, such original lot or subdivisional lot shall be connected with said sewer and also with said water main in such manner that any and all of the drainage of such lot, whether water or liquid refuse of any kind shall flow into said sewer: Provided, That the connections required to be made by this Act shall be made under the following conditions: nect with sewer, etc. When there is on any such orginial lot or subdivisional lot aforesaid any building used or intended to be used as a dwelling, or in which persons are employed or intended to be employed in any manufacture, trade, or business, or any stable, shed, pen, or place where cows, horses, mules, or other animals are kept, then, and in that instance, such original lot or subdivisional lot shall be connected with a public sewer and water main or with a public sewer, as may be required with this Act; and whenever there is no such building, stable, shed, pen, or place, as aforesaid, on such original lot or subdivisional lot, then such lot shall be required to be connected with a public sewer only when it has been certified by the health officer of said District that such connection is necessary to public health. SEC. 2. That it shall be the duty of the Commissioners of said District to notify the owner or owners of every lot required by this Act to be er. Vacant lots. Notification to own. Penalty for neglect, etc. Notice to nonresident owners. Proviso. Mailing notice. connected with a public sewer or water main, as the case may be, to so connect such lot, the work to be done in accordance with the regulations governing plumbing and house drainage in said District. SEC. 3. That if the owner or owners of any such lot neglect or refuse to make such connections as are required by this Act within thirty days after the receipt of such notice, such owner or owners shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, on conviction in the police court of said District, be punished by a fine of not less than one dollar nor more than five dollars for each day he, she, or they fail or neglect to make such connections. SEC. 4. That in case the owner or owners of any such lot be a nonresident or nonresidents of the District of Columbia, or can not be found therein, then, and in that case, the said Commissioners shall give notice, by publication twice a week for two weeks in some daily newspaper published in the city of Washington, to such owner, directing the connection of such lot with such public sewer or with such public sewer and water main, as the case may be: Provided, however, That if the residence or place of abode of the said nonresident lot owner be known or can be ascertained on reasonable inquiry, then, and in that case, a copy of the aforesaid notice shall be mailed to said nonresident, addressed to him in his proper name at his said place of residence or abode, with legal postage prepaid; and in case such owner or owners shall fail or neglect to comply with the notice aforesaid within thirty days it shall be the duty of said Commissioners to cause such connection to be made, the expense to be paid out of the emergency fund; such expense, Expense to be taxed with necessary expense of advertisement, shall be assessed as a tax against such lot, which tax shall be carried on the regular tax roll of the District of Columbia, and shall be collected in the manner provided for the collection of other taxes. on property. Approved, May 19, 1896. May 19, 1893. Preamble. Texas. Land deeded to San CHAP. 207.-An Act To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to reconvey to the former owners a certain tract of land in Valverde County, Texas. Whereas on the fifteenth day of April, anno Domini eighteen hundred and eighty, the San Felipe Agricultural, Manufacturing and Irrigation Company, by deed of conveyance, did convey to the United States of America a certain tract, piece, or parcel of land then in Kinney County, now in Valverde County, Texas, containing four hundred and nine acres of land, and fully described in said aforesaid deed of April fifteenth, eighteen hundred and eighty, for the purposes of a military garrison and reservation; and Whereas the United States of America, not wishing to use said land for the said purposes aforesaid, and having by its proper officers renunciated title to said land, and is willing to reconvey the same to the grantees, the said San Felipe Agricultural, Manufacturing and Irriga tion Company: Therefore, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treas. Felipe, etc., Company. ury of the United States of America is hereby authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, by proper deed to reconvey by quitclaim deed said aforesaid land to said aforesaid company. Approved, May 19, 1896. May 19, 1896. CHAP. 208.-An Act To establish certain harbor regulations for the District of Columbia. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United District of Columbia. States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be unlawful for Harbor regulations. any owner or occupant of any wharf or dock, any master or captain of any vessel, or any person or persons to cast, throw, drop, or deposit any Deposit of ballast, etc.. in navigable waballast, dirt, oyster shells, or ashes in the water in any part of the Poto- ters forbidden. mac River or its tributaries in the District of Columbia, or on the shores of said river below high-water mark, unless for the purpose of making a wharf, after permission has been obtained from the Commissioners of the District of Columbia for that purpose, which wharf shall be sufficiently inclosed and secured so as to prevent injury to navigation. SEC. 2. That it shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant of any wharf or dock, any captain or master of any vessel, or any other person or persons to cast, throw, deposit, or drop in any dock or in the waters of the Potomac River or its tributaries in the District of Columbia any dead fish, fish offal, dead animals of any kind, condemned oysters in the shell, watermelons, cantaloupes, vegetables, fruits, shavings, hay, straw, ice, snow, filth, or trash of any kind whatsoever. Deposit of offal for bidden. SEC. 3. That any person or persons violating any of the provisions of Penalty. this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof in the police court of the District of Columbia shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or by both such punishments, in the discretion of the court. SEC. 4. That nothing in this Act contained shall be construed to interfere with the work of improvement in or along the said river and harbor, under the supervision of the United States Government. Improvement not affected. SEC. 5. That all acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. Approved, May 19, 1896. CHAP. 212.-An Act To graut right of way over the public domain for pipe lines in the States of Colorado and Wyoming. Repeal. May 21, 1896. Public lands. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the right of way through the public lands of the United States situate in the State of Colorado pipe lines in Colorado and in the State of Wyoming outside of the boundary lines of the Yel- and Wyoming. lowstone National Park is hereby granted to any pipe line company or corporation formed for the purpose of transporting oils, crude or refined, which shall have filed or may hereafter file with the Secretary of the Interior a copy of its articles of incorporation, and due proofs of its organization under the same, to the extent of the ground occupied by said pipe line and twenty-five feet on each side of the center line of the same; also the right to take from the public lands adjacent to the line of said pipe line material, earth, and stone necessary for the construction of said pipe line. Width. Applications. Approval. SEC. 2. That any company or corporation desiring to secure the benefits of this Act shall, within twelve months after the location of ten miles of the pipe line, if the same be upon surveyed lands and if the same be upon unsurveyed lands, within twelve months after the survey thereof by the United States, file with the register of the land office for the district where such land is located a map of its line, and upon the approval thereof by the Secretary of the Interior the same shall be noted upon the plats in said office, and thereafter all such lands over which such right of way shall pass shall be disposed of subject to such right of way. SEC. 3. That if any section of said pipe line shall not be completed Completion. within five years after the location of said section the right herein granted shall be forfeited, as to any incomplete section of said pipe line, to the extent that the same is not completed at the date of the forfeiture. SEC. 4. That nothing in this Act shall authorize the use of such right of way except for the pipe line, and then only so far as may be necessary for its construction, maintenance, and care. Approved, May 21, 1896. Restriction. |