Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-15
CITY AFFAIRS.
CORPORATION or WASHINGTON.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
MONDAY, Jan. IA, 1855.

TO be expended In the purchase OF groceries.
Mr.. Smith advocated the proposition with great
power and effect. He proposed that there should
be depot in each ward where the poor could be
supplied at as little Inconvenience az possible.
Mr.. Miller thought the money had better be in
trusted to the Mayor for distribution.
Mr. Busey was opposed to the proposition, but
he thought the money, IL the bin passed, ought to
be intrusted to the Mayor. 1t was not possible to
select point in any ward which would be conve-
nient to all the inhabitants OF the ward. Besides
those who were really poor would not be likely TO
be benefited by it. AS in the of the distribu-
ton Of wood, men who owned houses and other
property, and who could furnish certificates with
numerous signatures, would obtain relief; while
those who were really in want would be overlooked
| in the general scramble.
Mr.. Magruder thought he was as familiar with the
| condition of the poor as any man in the city. But
he did not regard the proposed appropriation as
| likely TO benefit those who needed il the most We
had appropriated 81 900 for wood. And many
persons had applied for wood who were amply sup
piled with that article.
The Corporation was short OF funds, and if IL
undertook to relieve all who were in want, it
would be impossible 10 effect it. There were in
every ward church societies and beney olent socie
ties who were at present very active in relieving
the poor 1t was unnecessary for the Corporation
to appropriate money for this purpose. individuals
were ready and willing TO do the work and were
already engaged in it. He should vote against the
proposition.
Mr. Smith replied and continued his advocacy Of
the bill. With regard to the action of individuals
and associations, he would say that there was
letter before this Board from the Union Benevo-
lent Association asking for an appropriation of
$500 for this very purpose 1t was written two or
three weeks ago, and when the great necessity now
existing for the appropriation did not exist.
| Mr. Magruder moved as amendment that the
1 4 lxxyf s,s1asn yntfh
| Asylum at the rate of 500 for each ward.
Mr.. Pepper did not wish to give the distribution
| of the money to the Commissioner of the Asylum.
He preferred it should be given to the Mayor. He
was in favor of the BILL and thought when indvid-
uals were so liberal we knew they were, the
! Corporation should not be behindhand. He allu-
ded with much feeling to the case of Mrs. Bishop,
the mother of three infants just born, in addition
to thirteen Others to show what objects for chart
| ty there existed in our midst.
/ Mr. Houston remarked that there were some
| older Aldermen present than himself, and OF them
1 he would inquire whether specific appropriation
| for the purchase of groceries had ever been made
by the Corporation. He presumed not he wished
4 TO know why this Corporation, if it made appro-
priations for outdoor, should divert them from
| the regular channel He was in favor of the
| amendment Of Mr.. Magruder, although opposed to
the bill. If we had been apprized by the regular
| " constituted authorities that more relief was
needed, that would have altered the case
Mr. Dove was opposed to burdening the Mayor
with additional labors. He was already cucumber
| ed with duties, which devolved upon him.
The question being taken on the amendment Of
| Mr.. Magruder, it was adopted.
The bill was then passed, as amended
Ayes--Messrs Dove, Bayly, Miller, Emory,
| Pepper, Pearson, Smith, Clarke, and Tretler-9.
| Noes-Messrs Evans, Houston, Busey, Magru-
der, and Marks-5.
| &c, tbaf tJ,o 4
| having the subject in charge before Congress,
should exert themselves to procure the lighting
| with gas of Maryland avenue, from the Capitol
\ gate to the Long bridge, and frem the Canal
bridges to B street south, through l-2 7th 18th,
and 14th streets.
The resolution for the appointment of delegates
| to the Southern Commercial Convention coming
| up, it was proposed that there should be no ex-
pense to the Corporation arising from the appoint
! mcnt.
Mr.. Pepper thought that the appointment of
the delegates necessarily carried with 1t the requ
4 site compensation.
| Mr.. Busey thought it was unnecessary to insert
anything in the bill in relation to compensation.
l. MIR. Smith thought it was small business to hig-
gle about the compensation. He was in favor of
| paying the expenses of the delegates of the citi-
| zens as well as the members of the Corporation.
! The question was then taken on the passage of
the resolution. Ayes--Busey, Smith, Emery,
! Dove, Tretler, Bayly, Miller, Marks Noes-Evans,
Houston, Clarke, Pearson, Magruder, and Pepper.
Mr.. Evans introduced a bill prohibiting any cti-
zen from tapping any of the sewers for drainage of
privies Referred.
The President appointed Messrs. Pearson, Mil
ler Evans, and Marks, delegates to the Southern
Convention at Richmond, Virginia
Mr.. Busey called up the special order-the bill
to amend the Police Act.
Mr.. Magruder moved to postpone the considera-
Af A,r tnp txrrnx unnlyc
The vote was-ayes Z, noes z. The motion to
postpone did not prevail
Mr.. Miller moved theindefnite postponement of
the bill
Mr.. Busey, in reply to call for information
from Mr.. Pepper, explained the object of the bill
1t was to authorize the Captain of the Auxiliary
Guard to try cases which may be brought before
him between tho hour of setting the guard and 8
o'clock the next morning, and give judgment in
the same
He was opposed to the bin because it conferred
the power of trying persons upon the officer who
makes the arrests Besides, it was unnecessary
as it was very easy to procure the services of a
justice to try the cases. And, moreover it was
unjust to the Police Justices, inasmuch as it de-
| prived them of their accustomed fees.
i Mr.. Smith thought that no Police Magistrate
ought to be called out of his bed at night for
the small fee of 81 40 which was the amount paid
| for such cases as those included in the BILL He
would not vote for the bill If he thought it would
take anything out of the pockets of the Police
Magistrates; nor did he think the Captain of the
Guard would be benefited by the BILL in pecuni
airy point of view.
The whole advantage would rebound to the
criminal himself IL we could give him a speedy
trial. it was certainly benefit to him.
Mr.. Busey was of the opinion that Justice Ho-
lingshead right in refusing to approve the de-
cisions of the Captain of the Guard unless he had
-. L.. a. H. Al
from the Laws of the Corporation to show that the
Canfain of the Guard had mo rinht receive fees