Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-19
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

the President in the chair
The bill from the Council making an ap-
propristion to defray expenses of the Fourth
Ward special election was taken up and
passed.
The bill to supply deficiencies in the appro-
priatlon for erecting and completing the mar
ket house in the First Ward, was received
from the Council, with an amendment; which
was concurred in.
The bill regulating the sale of poisons in the
city OF washington, was received from the
Council, with an amendment; and on motion
OF Mr. Smith, was postponed until next Mon
day night.
Mr.. Pepper, for the improvements committee,
asked to be excused from the further consid-
Grafton OF the petition Of VIM. H. Phillips,
and moved its reference to the finance COM
mittee; carried.
Mr.. Busey asked leave to introduce a bill
regulating the disbursement of moneys by the
Commissioners of the Washington Asylum,
requiring that all checks and drafts upon the
bank with which the Commissioners keep an
account, shall be signed by the Mayor and
Register; also that all moneys arising from
the sale of vegetables shall be deposited to
the credit Of the Asylum, and drawn out by
checks signed by the Mayor and Register.
Mr.. Pepper said that since the last meeting
OF the Board no had got some information
which altered his views regarding the Inten-
dant Of the Asylum and his official course.
mates at the Asylum during the last six
months, than for the whole year previous.
Some rem arks had been made in relation to
the falling of in the revenue Of the Asylum
from the produce raised. 1t appeared that in
consequence of the increased number to be
provided for at the Asylum there was less to
sell. OF course the produce could not 90 to
market if it was taken to supply the inmates
Of the Asylum. He believed the Intendant
and the Commissioners had acted in all fair
ness The Overdraft had created all this out
door clamor; he was satisfied that the Asylum
was conducted as well as any similar institu-
tion in the country
Mr.. Busey understood that the object of the
bill was simply that the money might be
placed TO the right credit. He thought all
checks drawing money for the Corporation
should be signed by the Mayor and Register.
Mr.. Dove did not understand that any re-
Fiction was conveyed upon the Intendant or
Commissioners of the Asylum. The whole
object was to prevent overdrafts. In regard
to the falling of in the revenues of the Asy-
lum, he thought that the increase in numbers
should be the occasion of moro market stuff
being produced, and an increased revenue
Nh Pepper stated that persons sent to the
Almshouse were not put to work on the farm;
the "ork-house commitents only were so en-
ployed.
Explanations and q prOtrscted incidental
debate followed.
Mr.. Smith stated that the Commissioners
had felt much hurt by what had been said in
that chamber the week before, and that one
Of them had rendered his resignation in con-
sequence. What were the Commissioners TO
have done under the circumstances, or how
continue the operations Of the Asylum unless
by an overdraft. The Commissioners, since
the action Of the Board, refused to draw for
money. The meat bill, under the contract
with Mr.. Peck, was due, and Mr.. Peck was
calling for his money. Mr.. Peck was losing
three or four cents per pound on beef by the
contract and if the money is not paid, and
the terms Of the contract complied with on
the part of the Corporation, Mr. Peck could
claim full price for the meat. He was graft
fed that by the explanations made the Com
missioners were relieved of any imputations
Mr.. Busey offered an additional amend
ment: that the Mayor, before signing the
drafts, shall require vouchers of expenditures
from the Commissioners.
Mr.SIagruder said he could not suffer the
eulogium upon the commissioners Of the
Fourth Ward to pass by, having the official
sanction Of the Board, without some notice.
He did not want to 90 into any detailed at
tack upon the commissioners, but he would
say that he considered that the affairs of the
asylum had been conducted very loosely. The
Law required the commissioner to report to
the Board every six months-they had not
done so. Here was the report, sent in last
week, purporting to be signed by all the CON-
mlssiOners. One Of the names upon the re-
port was b. F. Reed, whereas the name Of the
commissioner was b. W. Reed, which would
indicate that he had neither read or signed
the report to which his name was attached
The gentleman from the Seventh Ward tells
US the corporation is to lose an advantageous
contract through the commissioners wanting
funds Now, was it not the duty Of the COM
missiOners to apply to the Councils if they
wanted money? They had not done So No
thing from them had been received to show
that they had not plenty of money.
Mr.. Pepper replied that the same mode of
conducting the affairs Of this Institution had
been going on for thirty years, and was now
first noticed by the gentleman from the First
Ward.
Mr.. Smith eontended that the argument of
the gentleman from the First Ward consisted
entirely of presumptions, and that he stated
nothing of his own knowledge.
Mr.. Busey rose to explain the objects Of the
bill no cenure was intended upon the Com
missioners; but in his opinion all drafts should
be signed by the Mayor and Register.
Mr.. Houston thought q detailed estimate Of
expenditures should be required Of the Com
missioners.
Mr. Busey suggested that the object desired
by Mr.. Houston could be better attained by
special resolution.
The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Marks, from the asylum committee,
asked leave to introduce bill supplying def
ciencies in the appropriations for the fiscal
year ending june Both.
After debate by Messrs. Pepper Houston,
Dove, Busey, Marks, Smith and Magruder, an
amendment was adopted requiring detailed
statements from the Commissioners, and the
bill was passed.
The Board then adjourned.
The Pooh OF TIE FIFTH AND SIXTH WARDS.
Whilst the benevolent citizens of the other
wards have set out, with cOmmendable energy,
in the good work Of relieving the suffering
poor, we hear Of no concerted public effort to
cheer the desolste hearts of the INDECENT resi-
dents of the Fifth and Sixth Wards 1t is
true that private charity has in many instances
responded literally to the sOrrowful appeal Of
stricken humanity, and that want and distress
have been thus unostentatiOusly diminished
70 some extent The esteemed COmmandant
Of the Navy Yard Commodore Forrest) has
nohly and 0enerDusly carried ont the hmm ana