Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-05-30

IHE CoUScILs.-The two Boards met at
'neir usual hour of meeting yesterday.
In the Board of Aldermen, there was not
much business done and what was done, was
Oh no particular Importance. They adjourned
at an early hour. "a s.
In the Common Council, the principal acts
mad reference to local improvements, among
winch was passed an act amendatOry to the
act regulating the collection of fines, penal
ties, and forfeitures 80
The joint resolution for the purchase of q
bronze casting of Houdon's statue Of Wash
ington, to be placed in front of the City Hall
was returned vetoed by the Mayor. The veto
message led to some debate, and on the nro.
position that it should be printed, a brief dis.
cussiOn ensued
Mr.. Pepper compared the erection of the
grand bronze statue of Washington in front
of the City Hall, to a diamond breast-n;n ~
front of dirty shirt The publication Of ~ - q
Mayors veto message was asserted on The
grounu ,hat 1t was right that the people should
Ano% the reasons of the rejection that it might
not % used against them for electioneerino
purposes.
Inc most important subject, however, brought
forward for action by the Board, was the Act
lor iavylng taxes for the year 1854
=, long and lively discussion took place on
the SUBJECT OF the taxes, as to what should he
the amount, whether IS cents ON the $500, or
oV cents, and even as low as so cents were
proposed. The supporters of the high rate
commended that there was a great want of
FUNDS, to carry on the improvements on the
otner hand, it was complained that the taxes
reii particularly heavy on the fourth ward.
which was taxed for the benefit of the Other
wards, so that, although that ward was credi.
ted to the amount of some $40 or $12 600. thew
could not obtain any funds from this corpora
ton for their local improvements
1t was observed by Mr.. Pepper, that the
assessment on property had been continually
Increased, although in many instances where
long leases existed, the owners had not DERIVED
a larger income, so that some proprietors were
actually paying half the rent that thew re.
celved Tor taxes. 1t was, however, remarked on
the other side, that if the tax was not fixed at
10 cents, there would be required special tax
for the school fund. and that IS cents was not
In TACT three quarter tax, because the tax
payers generally obtained discount of ten
per cent which reduced it to 50 cents Wash
lngton 1t was observed, is less heavily taxed
than most Of the other cities, such as Balti-
more, &c.
1t was eventually settled that the two Boards
should meet on Thursday next, to determine
upon the tax to be levied
The Joint sesolution respecting a statue of
Washington, referred to above, was put to the
vote and rejected-yeas 6, nays Ia.
After the transaction of some business hay-
ing reference to local Improvements, the Board
adjourned to Thursday next, to which day the
Board Of Aldermen likewise adjourned.
HE MAYoRALTY-THE VOTES FROM 1920 TO
lo52-The following extract from the Diary of
an old citizen shows the result of the several
elections for Mayor Of this city
1920
Samuel n. Smallwood, elected Mayor with
out opposition.
1899