Mr. MERCUR. The Gentfrom NewYork inquires why we have not provided by general legislation for the incorporation of sue associations. I presume for the same reason that the Legislatures of many of the middle and sIouthern States have not made such provisions. am aware that the eastern States and NewYork have made general laws for incorporation. The Gentfrom NewYork has had much more experience in national legislation than I have, and if he had assumed the duty of framing a bill at any time during this session and had it referred to the committee of which I am a member, I have no doubt it would have received a favorable report. But no bill of that kind has been introduced by an member of this Congress. None has been aid before this committee and they have not felt it incumbent upon them, in the absence of any such bill and in the absence of any instruction from the House, to make so wide a departure from the legislation of this District. I fully agree with the gentleman that as a general rule it is wise and judicious to provide by Generallegislation for incorporations. But it has not been the policy of this District, and it is too late in the session now to apply the remedy. This bill, then, is presented as bills have been heretofore presented in this District. All the incorporations in the District have been special in their character. If I understand the Gentfrom NewYork he makes no specific objection to this bill or to any of its features. I will state, however, for the benefit of the House, some few facts connected with it. The incorporators named in this bill, or some of them at least, are persons who have purchased quite a body of land in this city lying east, in the vicinity of Lincoln square. They have already erected a row of buildings called Philadelphia row. They propose to erect other and additional buildings of lesser valuein order that they may be brought within the reach of the clerks an mechanics of this city. From the experience they have had in building they believe that they can be instrumental in reducing the value of real estate in this city and in reducing the rents which men of limited means are obliged to pay, and thus indirectly reducing the rentals and prices which members of this House have to pay. They proposeto put up numerou buildings and sell them to persons of limited means upon a long credit, requiring them to pay annually such sums as they can save out of their earnings, and thus bring within the means of the more humble citizens of this District an o por tunity of acquiring permanent homestead s for their families where they may rest secure for the remainder of their lives. This subject received full and careful consideration and inquiry before the committee agreed to report the bill. We came to the conclusion to which the Senate came, that it was for the interest of the citizens of this District, and especially for the interests of those who are of limited means, that this bill should pass. If no further questions are desired to be put, I will move the previous question.