The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-01-20

ably To his model, now IN possession Of the Ii
brarian of Congress
On motion OF Mr.. Shields. the bill to amend
the charter Of the city Of Washington was
taken up amended and passed in the follow
ing shape:
BE 1t enacted, &C., That it shall be lawful for
the mayor board Of Alderman. and board Of
Common Council Of the city of Washington. and
the said corporation is authorized in its discre-
ton, to provide for the election by the inhab-
ltants Of said city, at stated periods of any or
all officers of said corporation not now elective
under the existing charter thereof; and to pre-
scribe the time place, and manner of holding
such elections, and the duties terms, and ten
ure Of Office of all such officers, as we'll as of
the register collector, and surveyor, of said cor
poration: Provided, That at AL such elections
the voters shall be such persons and no others,
as may be competent to vote ut elections holden
under the charter of the said city for the time
being; and the said corporation shall have full
power and authority to provide for the proper
conducting of all elections in the said city. and
tor the punishment of any person who NAV
wllfully disturb, modest, hinder, or interfere
with the commissioners or other persons who
may be appointed to superintend elections, from
time to time, while in the discharge of their
duty, or who may wilfully disturb. modest. him
der, or interfere with any voter while at or
going to the polls to vote, as well as for the
punishment of any commissioner or other per
son appointed to superintend an election who
may wilfully and knowingly receive or permit
to be received the vote of any person not legal
" authorized to vote; and the said corporation
shall have power to provide for the appoint
ment from time to time, Of such number of
persons, as commissioners to superintcnd the
elections in each ward Of said city as it NAV
deem expedent.
SEC. 2. And be ii farther enacted, That the
said corporation be, and it is hereby, author
lied and empowered 10 cause any streets, or
the carriage-ways az foet-ways thereof. or of
any portions of the same, to be paved, graded,
or otherwise improved, whatsoever in its dis
erection the same may be deemed proper and
necessary, any restrictions or condition here
totore existing in the premises 10 the contrary
Notwithstanding: PROVIDED however That the
tax levied for such purpose shall in no case
exceed the sum of three dollars per front foot
and in like manner, in its discretion, to cause
TO be constructed any drains and sewers which
it may consider necessary for the proper drain.
age, health, or convenience of the city, and
upon such plan Of surface or under ground
drainage, or by taking advantage of the natu-
raj drainage, or changing the course thereof
as may be deemed most eligible and to cause
the streets, or any of them, or any portion Of
them, to be lighted by gas or otherwise, and to
provide for the expense Of any such works or
improvements as aforesaid, either by q special
tax or out of its corporate funds generally, or
both, at its discretion.
Sec 8. And BE- IL further enacted, That the
said corporation shall have power, in its discre-
ton, to cause new alleys to be opened into the
squares, and from time 10 time to open extend
change or close those already laid out subject
always to the proviso concerning damages tc
individuals, contained in the eighth section OF
the act of May fifteenth, eighteen hundred and
twenty, Incorporating the inhabitats of the city
of Washington; and to dispose of the ground
occupied by any such alley or alleys as may
have been, or hereafter may be, closed by au
thority of the said corporation in such manner
as in its discretion may be directed.
SEC. a.. And be ii further enacted, That the
said corporation shall have power to create and
establish police and municipal courts, and tC
establish a house or houses Of refuge or correc
ton tor juvenile or other offenders, and to pro
vide for the support and government of the
same by special tax, or out of its corporate
funds, or otherwise; and to pass any and al
laws not inconsistent with the Constitution anc
laws Of the United States, for the establishment
of an efficient police, for the maintenance of or
der, the protection of persons and property
within the said city, and for the punishment
by fine or imprisonment, or both, of offence
against the ordinances and police regulation
OF the said corporation; such imprisonment Il
be either in the county JAIL or in such mum
cipal establishments, warehouses, houses of cor
rection or Of refuge, ~ may be provided by tn
said corporation for that purpose and tn
marshal Of the District Of Columbia shall re
ceive and safely keep within the jail for IL,
county Of Washington, at the expense of tn
said corporation, all persons committed there,
under or by authority of the provisions of tn
act.
SEC. S. And be ii further enacted, That tn
said corporation shall have power to provid
by law for the levying and collection of a
taxes which II is or may be authorized to in
pose, or which may have been heretofore Law
fully imposed, but are remaining unsatisfed i
such manner a. may be deemed most efficen
and conducive to the interests of the said cit,
and to alter and amend any existing provision
in its present charter in that behalf; and a.
sales and conveyances of real estate charge
with such taxes, which shall be made in cor
formity with such rules, directions, and proyi.
ions as may be prescribed by the said corpora
| ton in that behalf shall be valid and effectua
at law and in equity, TO pass to, and vest in
the purchaser or purchasers, his, her, or thei
heirs or assigns, title in fec simple, or sucl
lesser estate as may be 30 sold and convene,
in the land and appurtenances 80 sold, and al
absolute title to all chattels which NAV be 8,
sold and conveyed; PROVIDED, aiways, That al
taxation, except of special taxes, shall be with
in the limit prescribed by the charter of the
said corporation
SEC. 6. and be IT further enacted. That tn,
said corporation shall have power to organic,
fire department and to appoint one or more
engineers, directors or other officers. for the su
perintendence and direction of the fremen. fire
companies, engines hose, and fire apparatus
at all fires or alarms Of fires occurring in the
said city, and also to pass all laws or police
regulations which may be deemed necessary OF
expedient for the regulation, control, and man
agement of all fire companies now existing, OF
hereafter to be incorporated or otherwise es
tsblished in the said city, or the members there
Of anything in any existing law or charter tc
the contrary notwithstanding.
SEC. T. and be II further enacted, That the
said corporation be, and it is hereby, authorized
and empowered to pass sill laws. ordinances
and regulations, which may be necessary to
carry into effect the hereinbefore granted pow
ers, aud every Of them.
On motion, the Senate proceeded to the con-
alteration Of the bill authorizing the construc-
ton Of q railroad and branches, for establish
ing certain postal communication between
the shores OF the Pacific and Atlantic within
the United States for the protection and facili-
ties of travel and commerce, and for the neces-
sary defences Of the country.
Mr.. Gwin read written speech in favor of
the bill
Messrs. Hamlin, Miller, Bell, Davis, Cass
Seward, Rusk, and Borland, followed in sup
port of tho general object of tho BILL but
some Of them expressed doubts as to the de-