Daily American organ., 1856-03-18
CITY AFT FAIRS.
CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

MONDAY, March II. 1856.
Mr.. Clarke, the President of the Board being
absent, Mr.. Pearson, the Vice President, took the
chair ~
communication from the Mayor was received,
announcing his assent to certain bills and resolu.
tions passed at the last meeting
Also, communication in relation to the new
dredging machine and its performance, which is
announced as satisfactory by a recent experiment.
The Mayor asks for an appropriation Of ~ 900 to
pay for the same, and also an appropriation of
$4,000 for the expense of dredging the canal. The
committee appointed to test the machine report
that it is capable of removing 400 yards of mud
per day. 1t is desirable to COMMENCE operations
on the lst of April
The communications were appropriately referred.
Mr.. Busey reported bill to prevent fast driving
over the bridges of the city.
Mr.. Busey remarked that bill was presented at
previous session to effect the same obect-but
on account Of its informality, it was postponed.
The present bill was substitute for that.
1t had been difficult to ascertain in the case of
omnibuses by whom the fast driving was commit
ted As the drivers were in the habit of giving
the reins to a passenger, when they crossed the
Long Bridge.
This bill makes the owner of a vehicle respon-
sible for all fast driving of his agents or servants
After long debate, which we are compelled to
omit, the ayes and noes were called on the third
reading Of the bill:
Houston Pepper, Emery-A.
Noes-Messrs. Miller Magruder, Clark, Dove,
Bayy, Marks--6.
The bill was then passed.
A Committee of Conference was appointed on
the amendment to the bill fixing the rent of the
stalls of the Western Market
An act was reported authorizing the Mayor to
make loan of 81, 900 to pay for the new dredging
machine Referred to the Committe of Finance.
bill to authorize an appropriation of $3, 900 to
clear out the Canal was referred to the Committee
on the Canal.
The special order, the bill to increase the Mayors
salary, came up. 1t fixes the salary of the Mayor
at 81, 400.
Mr.. Smith moved the indefinite postponement
of the bill
Mr.. Houston seconded the motion.
Mr.. Pepper was surprised at the motion. 1t
could not be expected that any man would take
the office for the salary of clerk. He thought it
would be better If the members of the Boards did
not receive any compensation and the additional
sum be given to the Mayor derived from this source
He was personally interested in this question: and
therefore did not wish to vote.
The ayes and noes were taken.
Ayes-Messrs. Houston, Marks, and Smith,.
Noes--Messrs. Dove, Magruder, Bayly, Miller
Evans, Pepper, Emery, Busey, Pearson, and
Clarke--l0. .saa
The third reading was then ordered by the same
vote.
The bill was then passed.
A bill was reported for the purchase of 500 feet
Of hose for the Perseverance Fire Company.
Passed
Mr.. Smith offered joint resolution approving
the petition of several hundred citizens to Con-
gress for the erection of House Of Refuge for
the city.
Mr.. Smith advocated its adoption as an endorse
ment of the object Of the petitioners.
Mr.. Busey opposed it on the ground that we had
already passed resolution asking Congress for the
power to build House of Refuge at the expense
of the city, He moved the reference of the reso-
luton to the Committee on Improvements. Car
RED.
Mr.. Emery presented bill for the erection of
niarket-house in the Seventh Ward Referred
Mr.. Pepper reported an appropriation bill for
deepening the canal. Laid on the table,
Mr.. Pearson introduced an act for the construc-
tion of reservoir in the Seventh Ward, at or near
the corner of Maryland avenue and Sixth street
passed