Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-18
VIEWING STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

BOARD OF ALDERNES.-The Board met at
the usual hour, Mr.. Pearson in the chair
A communication was received from the
Mayor announcing his having signed various
bills
A communication was received from the
Mayor, stating that, pursuant to the act au-
thOrifing the purchase Of steam dredging ma.
chine, an experimental trial was made on Fri
day last of the one lately constructed for the
Corporation, which had resulted satisfactorily,
and recommending that the revenue of the
Corporation be anticipated to the amount Of
81, 900 to pay for the machine
report was received from Sam'l 3. Briggs,
who certified the capability Of the machine to
perform equal to the terms of the contract,
viz 400 yards Of dredging per day; also
from T. Little, Commissioner Of Canal, recon
mending an appropriation for canal repairs
and for the purchase of scows, in order that
the machine may be put in operation
On motion, the communication and reports
were appropriately referred.
A petition was presented by the Chair, frsm
the Apothecaries' Association of Warrington,
asking the use Of the Aldermen's room for
their meeting; referred to police committee.
Mr. Dove presented petition of +. Hagar;
referred 10 claims committee.
Mr.. Pepper, from the claims committee,
presented substitute for Council bill, for
grading and paving alley in square 52S;
passed. Also, without amendment, Council
bill for laying fOOtpavement on M street
\ north; passed
Mr.. Busey. from the police committee, re-
ported adversely upon the bill regulating
travel on bridges, and the bill was rejected.
Mr. Busey, from the same committee, re-
ported favorably TO allowing the Apothecaries'
Association use of the room one evening in
each week, provided they pay expenses Of
fuel and lights, and the messenger for his
services; granted.
tho
ported bill to prevent fast driving over
bridges, making the owner as well as his agent
responsible for the act of his vehicle. He
doubted whether the provisions Of the bill
could be enforced; but something ought to be
done The law was evaded, especially upon
the Long Bridge, by the drivers handing the
reins over to strangers who could not be found
afterwards. The design of the bill was to
reach the owner of the vehicle.
Mr.. Dove thought il very hard that the
owner Of vehicles-the keeper of a livery
stable for instance-should be held response
bic for the acts Of A, B and c, who had hired
bis carriages.
Mr. Miller held that the present law was
sufficient, the individual having the vehicle
In charge was the responsible person, whether
he held the reins or not.
Mr.. Houston inquired il Government had
not the control of the Long Bridge? If so, it
had power to regulate the rate of driving
over it
The question was further debated by
Messrs Miller, Busey, Smith, Pepper and Ma
gruder
Mr.. Smsth said it was a hard matter to
reach the parties offending, but he did not
know that they could do better than pass the
bill. The fast driving over the Long Bridge
was grievous annoyance to the citizens of
the Seventh Ward and in consequence of the
efforts made in Georgetown and other quarters
to get rid of the Long Bridge it was q matter
of interest to the citizens of that ward to have
the present bridge preserved as carefully
possible, less if it was destroyed they should
not get another.
Dir. Magruder contended that it was ex-
ceedingy wrong to pass laws which cannot be
enforced; which are so erroneous and I'D just
that the community will not submit to them.
By this bill. If a horse and vehicle was stolen,
the owner Of the horse and vehicle was made
responsible for the act, if the thief should
drive faster than the law permitted while
running away with the team. We might as
well attempt to make the owner of house re-
sponsible for the dOings of his tenant. The
statute book was numbered up with laws that
cannot be enforced.
Mr.. Houston was opposed to placing laws
upon record to be thrown in our teeth by the
circuit court, but there was a necessity for
some mode Of reaching these cases, and there
fore he was in favor OF passing this bill.
The bill was passed.
Council resolution appointing committee
Of one from each Board in conjunction with
the Mayor, TO invite Hon. Edward Everett to
deliver in this city his discourse upon the
character Of Washington, was debated by
Messrs. Magruder, Bayly, Busey and others,
and laid upon the table.
Council bill disagreeing with bill regulating
the renting Of stalls in Western Market was
taken up On motion Of Mr. Magruder the
amendment Of the Board of Aldermen was
insisted upon, and q committee of conference
demanded.
Messrs. Msgruder, Houston and Pearson
were appointed by the chair Mr.. Clark, who
had now takon his seat upon this committee.
Council resolution instructing the committee
before Congress to ask the lighting up of
Maryland avenue between Second and Third
streets east, was passed
Council bin authorizing the Mayor to make
temporary loan to pay for the new dredging
machine was referred to the finance com.
nittee
Council bill appropriating three thousand
dollars for improving Washington Canal was
referred TO canal committee.
Council bill making appropriation to pay
the salary Of the Commissioner Of Health up
70 the end Of the fiscal year was referred to
finance committee.
Mr.. Busey called up the special order, the
pill liking the annual salary Of the Mayor at
S24O0
MT smith moved Its Indefinite postpone
ment.
Mr. Pepper said We could not expect any
person 10 do the duties Of the Office for fifteen
or sixteen hundred dollars year. He thought
they should either pay the Mayor fair sal
airy, or mako the Office honorary altogether
He hoped the gentlemen would excuse him
from voting on this question, as he was per-
s0HGIly interested. Laughter.
The motion to postpone was not agreed TO.
Mr.. Busey suggested as an amendment that
no member Of either Board should be eligible
To the ONCE Of Mayor. Laughter
Mr.. Pepper expressed his decided opposi-
ton 70 such an amendment. Renewed mer-
riment
Mr. Busey did not insist upon his amend.
ment, and the hill WA passa6