Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-12
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL TETELLIGENCE.


from the Mayor, accompanying the address of
the citizens Of Wakefield, England, to the citi-
Gems of Washington:
MAYORS OFFICE, WASHINGTON, ID. C., !
August ii. 1856.
To tie Board of AIaermen and Board of
Common C0nnciI: Gentlemen-I have great
satisfaction in transmitting for your consider.
alton a letter received at this office through
our fellow citizen, Lewis Clephane, ESQ from
G. w Harrison, Alderman Of the Borough of
Wakefield, in Yorkshire, England, together
with an address from the Inhabitants Of that
borough to the people Of the city of W ashing-
ton. Though the causes Of anxiety which in
dueed the people Of Wakefield to send their
fraternal address have happily ceased to ex-
list, the sentiments contained in it are of such
nature as to command our respect and claim
our attention. Respectfully,
W. MAGRUDER, Mayor.
The address of the citizens of Wakefield &C.
companyipg the Mayors communication, has
already appeared in the Star
On motion of Mr. Bayly, the Mayors COM
muniostiOn was referred to special commit
tee.
A communication was received from the
Mayor, enclosing one from the commissioner
of the western section of the canal, recon-
mendiDg that deck scOws be provided to fscil-
itate the operations Of the steam dredging
machine, and also recommending that the ma
chine be corksd and well painted referred to
canal committee.
Various petition were received and referred
Mr.. Houston, from finance committee, re-
ported bill from the lower board providing
aid to the tax clerk-two additional clerks
whose compensation shall not exceed three
dollars per day laid over
Council bill for the relief of Joseph Radcliffe
was laid over
Mr.. Houston, in commenting upon the bill
making an appropriation topay for medicines
supplied to the out doer poor, spoke of the
amount as enormous, and he asked for infor-
nation as to the correctness of the bill
Mr.. Busey said that he bad no doubt the
bill was correct, bat the fault lay in the law
itself, which did not regulate the price or the
number Of prescriptions.
Mr.. Riggs offered resolution of inquiry in
order to ascertain the facts in relation to the
bill adopted.
A bill providing for grading and crawling
L street north between Fourteenth and Fiji
teenth streets west, was passed.
A bill relative TO the grade of street
north was taken up, and discussed by Messrs
Houston, Dove, Busey, Miller and others
Mr.. Houston planted himself upon his plat
form of limited expenditures.
Mr.. Dove commended that it was an expen-
diture to De be paid out Of the Ward funds
and that it was an improvement greatly de-
manded.
Mr.. Busey said he had laid it down as a
rule to oppose every change Of grade which
was not desired by the property holders along
the streets where the change Of grade was
proposed
Mr.. Miller urged that the Councils legis-
lated too much for local interests. The City
Surveyor was the established officer to decide
regarding proposed changes of grade. They
could not be governed by anything in his
opinion but the official certificate Of the City
Surveyor. Tie alluded to the condition of
Nav York aVeDue a a N mint
Mr. Smith said the Corporation was liable
for all damages to property holders, by change
Of grade, and he was unwilling to vote for
any such change unless the application was
signed by all the property holders interested.
Mr. Emery contended that by making the
proposed change in the grade it would save
expense in excavation upon the streets cross.
ing g street. 1t would save q thousand dol
lars in the grade of q street, and would bene.
fit the property holders upon the cross Streets
Mr.. Miller said that in some of the grades
established by Nicholas King, water was re-
CURED to run up hill at least thirty feet.
Mr.. Busey, in explanation Of an observation
made by member in debate, said til at it was
not the province Of the city surveyor to estab.
lish grades, but to indicate them
Mr.. Busey offered an amendment requiring
the application TO be signed by the property
holders whose property shall be affected by
the proposed change, and that the Corporation
shall be guaranteed against claims for dam.
ages.
The bill and amendment were laid over IN.
til next week.
bill for the construction of q sewer along
Third street west, was passed.
Dir Pearson, from claims committee report.
ed substitute for Council bill for the relief
Of Thomas Bayne; laid upon the table.
Mr. Evans, from canal committee reported q
bill appropriatipg s525 for the purchas of
scows, and for caulkiDg and painting the
dredging machine
In answer to an enquiry by Mr. Houston,
Mr. Evans said the appropriation had been
made In accordance with the communicate
from the Mayor and of the superintendent Of
the western section Of the canal, (Mr Wise J
who was admitted by all to be an efficient
officer
Mr.. Pearson said this was but the beginning
of what would result from the change in canal
commissioner.
Mr.. Dove replied, speaking in high terms of
Mr.. Wise as an efficient officer and of the ap-
preparation as necessary
Mr.. Evans said he did not know the gentle
man, (Ar. Wise,) but understood on all hands
that lie was an excellent officer. Mr. Evans
ayoWed his disposition 10 accord what facil-
ltles were needed to the Corporation admins
tratiOn to carry on the work of she city
Mr.. Busey thought that according To the
statement Of the commissioner, if the facts in
itWere correct the late commissioner of canals
did not know his duty, if the scows, built
already upon his recommendation, were not
At for the purposes. How were they to know
which Of the commissioners were in the right ?
The bill was laid upon the table.
Council bill for the relief Off NJ p. King
was referred TO finance committee.
communication was received from the
Register, answering the resolution Of inquiry
In relation to the amount paid to the page
employed by the lower board ordered to be
published.
The health bill was postponed for two weeks
Claims committee were discharged from the
consideration If the petition of Ann Scott
resolution offered by Mr.. Smith, that the
two boards rreet on Monday, August 18th, for
the election OF police magistrates, was adopted.
bill for changing an alley in square 465
to street was called up and led to q pro-
tracted discussion postponed until next Mon.
day.
Bill for the relief of NJ P. King was