Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-10-16
VENTNG STAR,
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE,

The JoISr COMMITTEE on the consolidation
of Washington and Georgetown met last night
at the City Hall, and was called to order by
the president, DR. Miller.
After reading the journal, Mr.. Tyler of
Georgetown, corrected an omission Of the name
of DR.. Joshua Riley a member from George
town.
The President reported that the Washing.
ton committee would agree to the LIST and I'd
sections of the proposed basis, and the Sd Sec
ton with the exception of the words, "for
the purpose Of paying the principal and in
terest Of said debt" of Washington and all
the remainder except the 9TH section which
they propose to strike out. 1t is as follows /:
The present western or Virginia channel of
the Potomac is not to be altered or apy way
affected, except by the people resident in the
aforesaid two new wards, or by a majority of
their representatives in each of the branches
Of the Corporation of Washington
Mr.. Tyler asked if the 7th section could be
amended to meet the views of the Washington
committee
Mr.. Miller said that he thought it would be
best to leave the entire section out, and let the
subject remain for the future action of Con-
gress.
Mr. Ould said that in preparing that basis
they had purposely avoided mentioning the
bridge in that section All that Georgetown
asked was that the natural outlet for their
trade should be preserved. If a majority Of
the citizens asked for an improvement Of the
channel, he had no objection, but he wished to
prevent any corporate action in future by
which the people of Georgetown would be
obliged to submit to such alteration whether
they were for or against it.
Mr. Smith said that the question with him
was, does not the section permit the two wards
10 control the seven in regard to this matter
He certainly could not yield to this. And,
further, the section implied desire on the
part of W ashington to alter the Virginia chan
mel, and that he would not admit. He could
not see the necessity for the seventh section.
Mr.. Ould explained that the alteration Of
the channel was not a supposed case. There
was now on the files Of Congress a proposition
to construct wall from Mason's Island to-
wards the Maryland shore to divert the water
from the Virginia channel.
Mr.. Smith stated his object to be to secure
the interests of the consolidated city to make
the interest of both identical
Mr.. Ould said, give US the power over that
cham ell which We have, and you may retain
all the rest. We only wish to prevent corpo.
rate action without the consent of the two
new wards.
Mr.. Smith was not willing to permit the
minority to rule the majority, but he would
stand for the interests of Georgetown.
DR. Tyler did not think the proposition of
Georgetown unreasonable. Georgetown has
an influence with Congress, inasmuch as their
people could make out a good case, the chan
mel being the outlet for the commerce of
Georgetown. If annexation be not consum-
mated it may be that she will go back to "old
mother Maryland ;" and it would be difficult
10 affect the channel then.
DR.. Miller said the consolidation would
sweep away all antagonistic interests, as bis
friend Mr.. SMITH had said The people
would be interested in the protection Of George
town interests
Mr. Smith said, if the seventh section were
retained, be would ask to add the following
two sections:
XII. The present site of the Long Bridge is
not to be changed, or in any manner affected,
Except as hereinafter provided,) unless by
the consent Of a majority of the seven old
wards; but, on the contrary, every effort will
be made by the entire consolidation to pro-
cure the erection of permanent structure ON
the present site Of the Long Bridge.
"l2. That it shall be the interest, as well
as the duty, of the consolidation, as far as
practicable, to keep open the channel on the
Washington city side of the Potomac, and;
with that view, to advocate and procure the
passage of law erecting sea wall along the
entire line of the Potomac, from the extreme
west front Of Monument Square to the ex-
trcme east front Of the arsenal"
Mr.. Toules explained the causes Of the
filing up Of the river and the action Of the
three channels He urged that the time would
soon arrive when the alteration Of the channel
would be desired by Georgetown and Wash
ingtOn, and saw no reason why any obstruc-
ton should be placed in the way Of easy leg
islation.
The argument was continued by Messrs.
Ould, Albert, Tyler and Smith.
Mr. 0uld proposed the following as a sub
stitute for the 7th section: "There shall be re-
served to the people of Georgetown or to a
majority Of their representatives in the cor
poration Of Washington, the same power of
resistance, remonstrance, and protest to any
change or alteration In, or obstruction to the
present western or Virginia channel as is now
possessed by the corporation of Washington. "
The discussion upon the substitute was con-
tinued until 10 o'clock, when Mr.. Smith offer
ed the following:
Whereas, Tho committee Of Washington
cannot accept the basis with the 7th section
or substitute, and that as the committee from
Georgetown have refused the consolidating
without said 7th section or its substitute.
Therefore,
ResoIvsd, That when this committee ad-
journ it adjourn sins de.
Mr.. Tyler arose and said that although j.
was matter of regret that the annexation
could not be cOnsummated, the committee had
nothing else to regret. They had met as
neighbors in the most friendly manner, and
had mutually received inform alton which
would be beneficial to them hereafter, and they
could now separate as they had met, as warm
friends, without angry feeling
The resolution was adopted
On motion Of Mr.. Ould, it was ordered that
the clerk should be paid SIS and the the mes
singer 50 per night for their services.
Mr.. Tyler stated that Mr. David English had
been absent from the meetings Of the com
mittee on account of i'll health.
On motion, the joint committee adjourned
SINE de
CHEsTSUTs The Norfolk Argus states that
in the seaboard counties the chestnuts are
ripening and opening fast. Many Of the trees
are very full, and the boys and girls, SPUR
rels and darkies, have already commenced to
gather them. The trees grow to a very large
size. A gentleman recently obtained 500
fence rails from single tree The wood will
not answer for fuel on account of the constant
swapping, cracking and sparkling while burn
ing. The fences made Of chestnut rails are
very valuable, as they do not decay for near