Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-12
E ENING STAR,
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Communications received from the Mayor;
the first announced the signing Of an act for
the relief of Geo. g. Wilson also one in rela-
ton to Gas Lights.
The following nominations were sent in by
the Mayor for members of the Board of Health
of the Fifth Ward, in lieu of those transmit.
ted January 2lst DR.. ]. NJ Grimes and d A.
Hstterston also. the nomination of Jedediah
lettings for Police Officer in place Of j. F.
Wollard, resigned
The Board proceeded to ballot upon the
nominations, and they were confirmed unani
mously.
A commune alton was also received from the
Mayor, enclosing note from the city collector,
in which ettentiOn was called to the situation
of the collectors Office the single room now
occupied being too small to accommodate those
who have business to do there, and suggesting
that some action be taken in reference to the
matter before the approaching tax sale The
Mayor recommends that such action may be
taken in the matter as will remedy the evil
states that there is a large portion of the main
building unoscupied, which might, with pro-
priety, be converted into additional room for
the collectors Office at a small expense and
suggests that committee be designated to
examine the subject, in order that the two
Boards might act adyisedly upon the matter !;
referred to improvements committee
The report of the Intendant of the w ashing
ton Asylum was received and referred to the
asylum committee
A bill from the Common Council in relation
to paving footways in front of squares 1884,
535, and $50, was referred to improvements
committee.
Mr.. Dove presented a petition of Phillip
krafts and others; referred to finance COM
mittee.
Mr.. Marks moved to take up the bill to
supply deficiencies in the appropriation for the
Washington Asylum laid on the table
Mr. Houston offered resolution authorizing
the finance committee to examine the ac-
counts and papers Of K. j. Roche, the late col
lsctor.
Mr.. Bayly said it was the duty of the tax
clerk to examine the accounts but he did not
think he was competent to do it, and as Mr..
Roche was anxious to have his accounts set
tied up, he was in favor Of employing a clerk
Mr.. Pepper said that in examining Mr..
Rothwells accounts clerk had been en-
ployed.
Mr.. Busey said that the business of the tax
clerk was double what it was a few years ago
Mr. Magruder said that he was on the COM
mittee which examined the accounts Of Mr..
Rothwell, but that these accounts have been
running twenty years. Under the old law il had
been the duty Of the Register to examine the
accounts of the collector, but he had never done
1t. Under the new law, passed shortly after
the accounts Of Mr. Rothwell had been ex.
to examine the collectors account every six
months. There was 10 more work now de-
vOlving upon the tax clerk than formerly.
By the new law his duties have been sim
pli6ed and exactly Defined formerly he was
sort Of Caleb QuOtum, doing every ody's bu-
siness. But it was evident the finance COM
mittee had not time to attend to this without
assistance, and he hoped the resolution would
pass.
The resolution was then adopted, with the
understanding that the pay of the clerk en-
plOyed should not exceed three dollars per day
The Asylum bill was taken up again.
Mr.. Busey wished to know how this debt had
been incurred
Mr.. Dove also wished to know how it was
that the revenue had fallen off from eight
thousand to FIVE thousand dollars. especially
when the prices of the produce raised at the
Asylum had been rising. He was not salts
bed with the manner in which the Gem
missioners had proceeded If they wanted
money let them come TO the Board and
say the appropriation is out, and then if
the money was not supplied the responsibility
would rest upon the Councils.
He was willing to vote now to bring up ar.
rearages, this time, but there should be stop
put TO this manner Of proceeding.
Mr.. Pepper said that Mr.. Dove had ex-
pressed his views very nearly. He was will
ing to vote to pay this debt, but wanted to
put clincher upon the Commissioners over
drawing in future. If the committee would
80 frame the bill that no Overdraft would be
allowed in future, he would vote for it.
Mr.. Marks explained that the deficiency
had been going on for several years, and that
the overdrafts had been OccasiOned by the
Commissioners having acted upon the prece-
dents Of their predecessors. He expressed
himself, however, in favor of some amendment
limiting the powers Of the Commissioners.
hr Sp1It did ho oad -
was understood by the Board. What would
the Commissioners have done for funds to
carry on the Institution had they waited as
proposed. For three months this very bill
had been laying before the Board Enacted
upon For many years back, thirty five hun
dred dollars had been appropriated annually.
The appropriation had never been increased,
though the number of paupers and the neces-
sary expenses had increased yearly.
Mr. Busey wished to know by what au-
thority the Commissioners got the money from
the bank.
Some debate followed upon the question,
and Mr.. Pearson stated that he had called at
the bank to make enquiry, and they informed
him that the drafts had been made upon the
authority Of the Mayor.
Mr.. Pearson thought this loose way of
doing business. The Commissioners should
report estimates Of money needed each ensuing
year.
After some further debate the bill was
passed, with the understanding that when the
next appropriation for the Asylum came up, a
bill shOuld be introduced to prevent future
oyer-drafts.
Mr. Pepper introduced q resolution instruct
Ing the committee before Congress to urge
upon that body the necessity of opening all
the public avenues from one terminus to the
other. He warmly repealed the attack made
upon the city of W Washington lately in Congress
IN relation to supporting our own poor We
were abundantly able to support our own poor,
but this season We were called upon to take
care Of a great many other peoples poor.
In his ward large proportion Of the destitute
poor were from other parts of the country.
The GimShouse was full and the committee of
relief have spent one thousand dollars in two
days in the Fourth Ward.
In regard to the avenues, it had been stated
in Congressional debate that they had been
opened at the expense of Government; and
s. the assertion had been made, he thought
We ought to have the benefit of the fact
The resolution was adopted, and then the
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