American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-25
CITY COUNCILS.
CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
Monday. June 28. 1851.

Present: Messrs. Dove, Magruder, Bayly,
Wilson, Towers, Borrows, fSweeny, Mahry,3
French, (Presdent,) Writ, Thornley,, Gordon,
Morgan, and Page. ..atg
The CHAIR laid before the Board the following
communication from the Mayor, which was read
and referred to Messrs Magruder, Maury, and
Thornley,, and ordered to be published with the
proceedings Of the Board; a
ai. MAYORS OFFICE, June %, 1851
TO The Board Of Aldermen and t.41er ia.
Board Of Common Council
GENTLEMEN: desire to invite your attention
to the following subject. in advance of the an
nual report from this Office. / shall lay that
communication before you as soon as the reports
OF the several sub officers of the Corporation are
received The accompanying memorial from the
President and Directors of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company presents an application to
this Corporation for pecuniary aid to enable them
to furnish said canal between dam No. 6 and
Cumberland with an adequate supply of water
at all times. The plan suggested is to raise a
sufficient supply from the river Potomac by
means of four pumps, the total cost Of which
the engineer Of the work has estimated not to
exceed the sum of $84, 900. To accomplish
this object the Canal Company ask loan of the
bonds of this Corporation to the amount of
S25,OOO, to be secured by pledge of the rev.
enues Of the work. However abundant or val
liable may be the resources Of the region of
country which the canal traverses, capital and
enterprise will shrink from permanent invest
ments if the remotest apprehension of such a
difficulty as an inadequate supply of water is
permitted to exist. In my Judgment our city
is too deeply interested in the full success of
this work, by its past sacrifices and in its fu-
ture prospects, to withhold the aid now asked
for. The questions for our consideration would
seem to be as follows: Is the plan proposed
practicable? Has the Canal Company the right
to pledge its revenues for such an object? and
if so, would such pledge be sufficient security
The plan has been adopted by the Board Of Di-
rectors Of the canal upon the recommenda-
ton of the distinguished engineer of the
work, after most careful examination In
regard to the power of the company to pledge
its revenues for such an object herewith
transmit to you certain documents touching
this question, and l would respectfully sug-
gest that the opinion Of the Corporation Attor-
ney be taken upon this point. The amount for
which the current revenue is now pledged for
repairs upon the work is about 5000, 900, an
inconsiderabe sum in view Of the rapidly in
creasing business of the canal. A pledge Of the
revenues, subject only to the prior payment of
this trihing sum, would undoubtedly furnish
unquestionable security. Ii the Councils shall
determine to grant this aid-the propriety and
safety of which / can entertain no doubt
would recommend that it be made upon such
conditions as will secure the removal of those
obstructions which now impede navigation upon
the canal in and below Georgetown
would also invite your attention at this time
to the necessity of recognizing the office of
Collector An examination of existing laws will
clearly show that prompt and exact accounta-
DlIItV n ullar1 that nf tl,a
revenue which is received by the Collector.
The integrity of the officer has heretofore been
our safeguard, rather than the efficacy of the
provisions of law. This course is also rendered
necessary by the large increase in the business
of this office.
Instead of attempting to present at this time
a specific plan, i have deemed ii more advisable
to suggest the appointment of joint commit
tee whose duty it shall be to examine and re-
port upon the accounts of the late incumbent,
and also what changes are necessary in the
existing laws Such an examination seems to
be due TO the Corporation, to the late incumbent
and his successor, whilst at the same time it
may furnish wholesome and practical sugges-
tons for a reorganization Of the office.
| also submit to your consideration whether
it would not be advisable to continue the late
incumbent in the employment of the Corpora
ton for short time, to enable him to close up
such portion of the outstanding business of the
office as cannot with facility be transferred to
his successor. A consideration, however, of
the propriety Of this might be embraced in the
examination to be made by the committee which
has been suggested
beg leave to suggest that the bill entitled
An act to organize Police system for the city
of Washington" approved March IL, 1851, be
so amended as to authorize the appointment Of a
Lieutenant of Police. After the 1st of July, the
number of men under the control of the Chief
Of Police will be forty-fve, and with this in
crease will arise more extended and arduous
duties. The Chief of Police, however devoted
to the public service or capable of physical ex-
erton, cannot remain on duty through each
entire night, and in fact this is not required of
the subordinate members Of the guard, or of the
police constables; and yet it is absolutely ne
cessary that he or some one holding equal
authority should be present through the night
at the guard-house to receive reports, issue the
necessary orders hear complaints, and act upon
such cases as may be presented. Again, it is
necessary that the Chief Of Police should be Mt
liberty TO leave the guard house when peculiar
circumstances may require it, and the result
must be, that, under the present system of only
one officer, the duties at the guard house or
that general out door inspection and superin-
tcndence must be partially neglected. Another
advantage to be derived from this appointment
would be to secure more faithful enforcement
Of the Corporation ordinances other than those
having relation to the peace Of the city. 1t has
been suggested that these objects could be nc
complisbed by the appointment of some other
person than the captain Of the Auxiliary Guard
to the office of Chief of Police.
This would result in separation of the Gov
ernment and Cnrporotion policp Rlended tn
gether as are the relations and interests of the
Government and Corporation in this matter,
it is certain that a divided authority could not
exist together. Occasions would be constantly
occurring upon which would spring up jealousies
and collisions of authority, causing confusion
and uncertainty of action, and extending from
the chiefs to the subordinates. Unity and eff
fciency of action by these two police forces can
only be secured hY snhiecting them both To one