Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-03
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
MONDAY, July 3, 1855

mONDAft Juiy ~ 1000.
The Board met pursuant 60 law.
Present Messrs. Dove, Magruder, Bayly, Mil
Ter, Evans Tretler, Pepper, Emery, Houston,
Busey, Marks, Clarke, Pearson, and Smith.
The Chair laid before the Board a communica-
ton from the Mayor, advising the Board of the
approval of certain bill and resolution ON the
Goth instant.
Also, communication from the Mayor, trans
uniting the report of the Inspector of Fire Appa
ratus for the month Of June; which was read and
referred TO the Committee on the Fire Department.
Also, communication from the Mayor, trans
hitting statement Of the Bank account to the
LIST inst; which read and referred to the Com
mittee on Finance.
Also, communication from the Committee Of
Arrangements of the American party, for celebra-
ting the 4th inst. inviting the Board TO unite with
them In the ceremonies Of the day, which, having
been read,
Mr. Pepper moved that the invitation be ac-
cepted and the question being taken by yeas
and nays it was decided in the affirmative, as fol-
lows
Yeas--Messrs. Tretler, Pepper Emory Hous-
ton, Busey, Pearson, Smith and Clark--s.
Nays Messrs. Dove, Magrudcr and Mier--3.
SO the invitation was accepted.
h Mr. Pepper, from the Committee on Improve
ments reported bill entitled An act for grading
the footways in front of squares No. 612, 6l3 6l4
522, b23, and ga !" which was read three times
and passed.
Mr.. Pepper, from the same committee, reported
bill entitled An act for paving the carriage way
from Third TO Fourand-a-half streets west on G
street north !" which was read three times and
passed.
Mr.. Bayly presented petition from Messrs. Ons-
ley and others, in relation to the drainage OF
street north in the Second Ward; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on improvements
Mr.. Magruder presented the following communi-
cation from X. j. Roche, late Collector of Faxes
WASHINGTON CRY, July 2, 1855
To The Board Of Aldermen and Board Of Com
mon Council, Of The city Of Washington:
"GENrLEMEN: Upon retiring from the office Of
Collector OF Taxes for the Corporation of Wash
ington, aftera service of four years. beg to call
the attention of the Councils to the fact that there
has been settlement of my account but for one
year during that period and to ask that some ar
rangement may be made by which the other three
years may be audited and settled at the earliest
moment, in order that myself and sureties may be
released from further responsibility to the Corpora
lion.
II deem it due to myself to state, that in view Of
THE LIST and Sd sections of the ordinance of the
Corporation, approved June 3, 1858, and under
which Twas elected to and held Office. that have
been advised that great doubt exists as to the
right of the Councils to reduce the fees of the
Office during the period for which was elected
Under this view, have charged and retained three
per cent commission upon the annual taxes col
leced in accordance with the provisions Of the act
above rected, and have made special deposite
of the difference to await the final adjustment OF
my account with the Corporation.
II have already filed with the Register the annu-
al statement Of the operations of the Office as pro-
vided for by the sixth section Of the act before
referred to, and shall hold myself in readiness to
make airy further exhibit or explanation that may
be necessary for the prompt adjustment Of the ac-
count Respectfully, &C., R. ]. ROCHE
Mr.. Bayly moved that the c9pmunication be
printed.
MIR. Houston objected he said he was opposed
to all squandering the money Of the city. A short
time since large bills had been presented by two
printing Offices for printing of this kind. He was
willing to do any thing in reason but f this is to be
the beginning of bill Of 81, 800, or $4,000, he
must decidedly object.
Mr.. Bayly said that il was the duty of the tax
clerk to settle the account of the Collector but
the duties of the tax clerk were so arduous that
he could not do It, IL II was left for him to do il
never would be done. The late Collector properly
desired his accounts sett,d and his securities re-
keved therefore he wished the communication
referred to the Committee on Finance and printed
He would however, withdraw the motion to print
Mr.. Houston said that the present tax clerk had
not been In Office more than one year. Now, the
OoHiHuhiChtiUu tpOke vi tile accounts oil the CO-
lector not having been settled for two or three
years. lift the duty of the tax clerk to settle
thesaccount OF the Collector yearly, he wished to
know why II had not been done by former tax
c,crks. He wished to know why the accounts of
the Collector had been allowed to run on in this
way from year 10 year without being settled, He
wanted to get at the bottom of the matter.
Mr.. Busey renewed the motion to print.
Mr.. Bayly referred to portion OF the commu-
mention relating N ha If fho "A.
age during Mr. Roche's term as Collector, and
said that Mr.. Roche wished nothing but what was
legally his, and that he desired to have.
The communication was ordered TO be printed,
and referred to the Committee ON Finance
Mr. Pepper, from the Committee on Improve
ments, asked to be discharged from the further
consideration Of the memorial of the Alexandria
and Washington Railroad Company, and moved
that It be referred to joint committee, and the
Question being taken, Il carried In the aiirma
tive.
hessrs. Pepper, Houston, and Tretlsr we're ap
pointed the committee on the part of this Board
Mr. Pepper, from the same committee, asked TO
DO discharged from the further consideration Of the
petition of Henry Saunders, in reference to the
damage done 70 his property by the change OF
grade in front thereof and moved that Ii be re-
ferred to the delegation from the Second ward.
The bill from the Common Council entitled an
Act authorizing the purchase Of the lot and build.
ing now used by the Western Presby terrain Church
for school purposes" was taken up, rcad three
times and passed.
Mr.. Evans stated that the Committee on Elec.
lions desired leave to amploy clerk. After some
conversation
M. Pearson offered the following resolution
Resotrcd, That the Committee on Elections be
sutho lied to employ clerk.
Mr. Busey said he did not perceive the necessity
Tor clerk to the Committee on Elect MS II was
time the committee had reported they had been
expected TO report before this time. What did
the committee wish to do with clerk? They can.
not take testimony before them, for they have no
power to compel the attendance Of witnesses
What then could they do With clerk, II they had
onep They we're TO make up their report from
the papers before them already. For himself he
Z was anxious that the committee should report. He
could not, therefore, vote for clerk to the CON-
mittee.
Mr.. Evans said: Gentlemen will recollect that
tho committee consists Of three members, two of
one party, and one Of the other party. Now the
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