Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-04-21
AMERICAN, TELEGRAPH
Corporation Of Washington.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
Monday, April 10, 1862

French, (President) Writ, Thornley,, Gordon,
and Morgan
The CHAIR laid before the Board communi-
cation from the Mayor, nominating William A.
Robertson as sweep for the Third Ward, in place
of r. Moffert, resigned; which nomination was
considered and confirmed
Mr.. WILSON, on leave, submitted resolution
requesting the Mayor to cause the Aldermen's
chamber to be lighted by n chandelier ; which
was read three times and adopted.
| On motion of Mr. DOVE, the Board resumed
the consideration of the bill from the Board of
Common Council for completing the grading Of
| L street north and it was then, on motion, in
4 definitely postponed l.s-o
1 Mr. MAURY, from the Committee on Finance,
asked to be discharged from the further consid-
\ Grafton of the~petition Of caieb Buckingham,
captain Of Columbia Artillery Company, in re-
laton to care of two brass guns in his charge
and they were discharged accordingly
Also, from the same Committee, reported with
out amendment the bills from the Board of Com
mon Council entitled San act amendatory of
On act to license, tax, and regulate wholesale and
retail dealers, and !" An act imposing taxes for
the year 1852 - and they were then severally
read the third time and passed.
Also, from the same Committee, reported bill
entitled " An act making an additional appro-
pration in relation to the alteration in the course
of Tiber creek through square No. $50 )" which
was read three times and passed. VI ,
The CHAIR laid before the Board a communi-
cation from the Mayor, nominating Walter Hay
as resident student Of the Asylum which nomi-
nation was considered and confirmed.
Mr. WILSON, on leave, introduced an act for
the repair of street north, near Rock Creek, and
for other purposes; which was read three times
and passed. g.
| Mr. WILSON, on leave, submitted resolution
in relation to revision of the grades of New York
avenue and i street, between 18th. and 18th
streets west and the adjacent streets; which
was read and adopted, h .9.aa a .-#
The CHAIR laid before the Board communi-
cation from Andrew Rothwell, in relation to the
settlement of his accounts as late Collector of
Taxes; which was read, and, 8@"
| On motion of Mr.. MAGRUDER, ordered to lie on
the table, and be published with the proceedings
| Of the Board.
| The communication is as follows:
| 10 the Board Of Aldermen:
The report submitted to your Board 18th instant
to supervise the settlement Of accounts with the Corpo
ration contains matters involving to considerable extent
my pecuniary interest and may Also II allowed to pass
unnoticed, place in unfavorable light in the esma
ton OF portion OF my feowcitzens. therefore ask the
privilege presenting for the consideration Of the Councils
several suggestions explanations, and corrections relative
| to the subjectmatter of the report.
In the consideration the by the Councils it Will,
trust be borne in mind that tho accounts extend through
period of nearly fourteen and involve large
amount OF money; dsring s which time no settlement
examination whatever made nor any account stated
Realizing long since the great importance of such
statement and examination made written application
without SUCCESS to former Mayor OF the city, to cause to
be done and chief for my retiring from the Office
was that settlement might be obtained. The Councils
will also remember that the appointment of the committee
whose report before the made in pursuance OF
quest made to them by myself and of like suggestion
male at the same time by the present Mayor 1t should
likewise be borne In mind that, within few weeks after
the expiration Of term OF office aud before any progress
had made the examination the accounts paid
|
Intentionally leaving the remainder until its amount should
within few days after by the committee with
but very limited examination by myself of the many and
varied accounts in the preparation of which months had
been employed promptly paid TO the Corporation the full
balance csmed although convinced that the account had
stated against me In the stricte manner that there
might be against me, and that It took from
considerable amount to which have ut least equitable
| claims ID. ..
commissions, the chief part OF II, suppose would be
allowed me by the Councils upon an examination Of the
and half reduced to the rate Of twelve hundred dollars
Daring that time repeatedly informed by members Of
Council that IL was their intention SO TO amend the law that
| full commits ions would be allowed mo.
The balance against also unduy increased, Ito
interest upon special axes which, If correct be-
fore adopted in the accounts Of collectors am made to pay
full interest In all whilst for various reasons interest
often partly remitted the taxpayers This matter
| was fully explained TO the committee
am advised that could probably recover commissions
upon the Of which remained due the coec
on OF which taken out OF hands at the expiration
4
had performed much ohe labor preparatory to their col
| lection. -
The remark Of the committee that when they entered
upon their duties they found that Mr. Rohwe had not
rendered the statement Of his accounts required by law
from the time he entered the duties Of his Office until
he retired thereon Is stronger than the facts justify and
needs explanation An annual statement and report OF
collections embracing account OF deductions commits
ard placed in the hands Of Register tho close Of
year. tho earlier Of which, at least reference for details
made the books In the Collectors Office The eighth
section Of the OF May H. 1887 TO which the committee
or upon this subject Is copied from the earliest tax laws
Of the city, 70 which period 1t could alone be applicable
when there several collectors and when the whole list
OF each occupied but few sheets Of ls full execu
ton has long entirely mp sccabe in
quonce Of the great and number of the accounts OF
these facts be presumed the several Mayors OF the
themselves as without compliance with the law, the
rendering satisfactory reason therefor was legally nell
gible to reappolntment.
The committee also err In the remark that had
pressed myself satisfied with the accuracy OF their work la
preparing the accounts II true that after such bef
account in portions of very few days having reference
only their results found them TO the best Of my know
edge correct that examination extended aud
unwilling delay the action of the committee 70 long MS
| to allow OF my examining the details.
Had there been suitable supervision OF the operations OF
the Office for which, perhaps the laws do not adequately
provide the irregularities which have led to tho suggestion
the charging onere could not have occurred, or would
have been speedily checked and the mutual advantage OF
the Corporation and Of myself would have been promoted
ThecharQing interest however, thought Of when
in the case Of former collector considerable balance left
due by him discharged by his securities by instruments
running through several years ieI uesIinB ht he N
mnation Of my conucxon with the Corporation, in whose
service have passed many years. may not be attended
with dispute litigation although lily prepared to meet
further claims II the Councils shall deliberately so adudge
and III shall become satisfied that under the circumsn
ces interest may justly claimed OF me- may endeavor
to such portion OF Il may be found correct and as
may exceed my just Chains upon the Corporation not eS
pecng however any event. TO be charged interest upon
interest, Is proposed by the committee.
All which is respectfully submitted. -
| APRIL 10, 1852 ' A. R0THWELL'
Mr.. MORGAN moved that the Board resume the
consideration of the resolution from the Board Of
Common Council to provide for the opening of
Sixth street west, south Of the canal; which mo-