The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-22
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.


FRIDAY, January 81, 1859.
FIRST BRANcH.-Present-J T. FonD, Esq.,, and
all the members.
Mr.. WooD presented a communication from the
Port Warden in reference to the purchase of dredg
ing machines. Referred to the Committee on the
Harbor
Also, communication from the same officer Civ
ing the costs of raising the sediment from the Har-
Dor. Referred to the Committe on the Harbor
Mr.. WooD presented the report of the Committee
on Police and Jail, with ordinance to build a
boiler house, to contain the steam boilers used for
heating the Jail, and making appropriation Of
$1,000 for the purpose.
On motion of Mr.. WooD the ordinance was read
second time and passed.
Mr.. BEALE presented an ordinance in regard to
paving Alice Anna street, between Caroline street
and Jones' Falls. Laid on the table.
A naezsnSe wac received from Che Second Branch
informing the Branch of the appointment of com.
mittee relative to the reorganization of the Appeal
Tax Court, and to provide for Board of Arbitra
ton.
The President appointed committee on the
part of the First Branch for the same purpose
Messrs. Randolph, Wood and Granville.
message received from the Second Branch
embodying resolution, that when the Council ad
Journs this evening, it adjourn until Monday after
noon at 5 o'clock.
On motion the Branch concurred
A resolution was received from the Second Branch
In regard to the placing of gas lamps at certain
points. Referred to the City Commissioner.
Mr.. ADDISON presented the annual report of the
Waterman Fire Company. Referred to the Com
mittee on Fire Companies
Mr.. BEALE called up the ordinance relating to
the paving of Will street from Philphot to Dock
street. Passed
Mr.. MONTAGUE called up the ordinance relating
to the paving of Rose and Walnut alleys, from
Preston street to Union street. Passed
A communication was received from the City
Collector in reference to the charges preferred
against his office in the Council. He states that the
bill of tax and costs which was exhibited in the
First Branch by the member from the Sixth ward
(Mr. Talbott) was correct and in keeping with the
ordinances regulating the collection of taxes The
party owning the property had been informed oil
the expenses which would attend the advertising
and sale of the property, but the owner refused to
take the advice and endeavored to stop the sale by
injunction, in which he failed. The property was
sold and brought SIS. The expenses would there
fore fall on the contractor In regard to employ.
ing his clerk to draw up certain writings connected
with the sale OF the property he said that the law
empowered him to employ some one and he select
ed his clerk because he was fully acquainted with
the duties and well capacitated to discharge them
He challenged an instance to be shown where he
had ever sanctioned an illegal exaction in the col
lection OF taxes or in the transaction of any bust
connected with his office. He closes by asking
the appointment of committee to investigate the
charges and inspect the manner in which he has
discharged his duties.
Mr.. TALBOT said that the COMMUNICATION of the
Collector placed him in more unenviable position
than he was before. He has incurred expenses to
the amount of Sl20 in the collection of SIS tax
bill, which the city would be compelled to pay II
was all folly talking about the contractor or payer
losing this money. The papers publishing the ad
vertsement would look to the city for the payment
of their bills and they would not wait the pleasure
OF the city for their payment but would sue anG
compel payment. Here then is bill of expense:
which the city will have to discharge of l20 which
have been incurred in the collection of So Thi
was strange way of doing business. He would
in compliance with the request of the Collector
move that special committee be appointed to in
vestlgate the matter.
MIR. WOOD moved that it be referred to the specia
committee to consider that part of the Mayor
Message in relation to the collection of taxes Il
referred.
On motion the Branch adjourned until Monday
afternoon at five o'clock.
SECOND BRANcH.-Present-WM McPHA1L, ESQ.,
President, and all the members, except Mr.. ELI
CoTT
Mr.. CoLToN moved that a message be sent to the
First Branch, proposing the adoption of joint re-
solution, that when the Council adjourns, they ad
Journ until next Monday afternoon O'clock
Agreed to.
A message was received from the First Branch
announcing the appointment of Messrs. Talbot
Wood and Montague, on the part of that Branch
to the joint special committee relative to the mode
of collecting taxes; and Messrs. Randolph, Addi-
son and Newman, on the part of that Branch, rea-
tive to the resolution proposing City Insurance
Company.
Received from the First Branch an ordinance to
pave that portion of York street from William to
Hill street. Laid over.
Received from the First Branch an ordinance to
Laid over.
Received from the First Branch Joint resolu-
ton auhorisng the City Register to issue notes for
6 and II months, bearing per cent interest from
date, TOR the use of the Fire Commissioners to the
full amount OF the appropriation voted them for
the purchase of engines, &c. Laid over,
Mr. CoLToN.-1 wish to make few remarks in
regard to the mode of legislation adopted by the
First Branch in their adoption of the ordinances
authorlslng the paving Of certain streets. do not
wish to reflect upon any member of that Branch
but the true and proper course to pursue in regard
to such things is to have them referred to the
Standing Committee on Highways. Why, Mr. Pre-
sdent, 1T is astonishing that there are now on the
CLERKS desk nine OF these street ordinances not one
of whichhas been referred to the proper committee
They have all been passed by the First Branch and we
have only been in session five days. The parties in
terested most are those holding property fronting
on these several streets. have not heard of any
petitions from those parties, and it is unfair to COM
pei them to have this work done without, at least
consulting them. With all due Difference to the
members of the First Branch, would say that this
hasty manner of doing business is out of all kind OF
rule, and check should be put to it. Having said
this much, Mr.. President, will select of these
ordinances, and propose its reference to the Joint
Standing COMMITTEE on Health, for the purpose
of testing the sense of this Branch on the subject
/ will select Ordinance No. %, authorising the
paving of Point street. from Phipot to Dock street.
My reason for selecting this is, that have been
told that that particular part of the city has been
complained of as nuisance; and wishing it to have
fair investigation, 1 move its reference to the
Joint Standing Committee on Health.
Mr.. CATHcART.-I would inform the gentleman
from the 18th and 9Th wards, that the causes which
induced the First Branch to such course have
been many. All the streets mentioned in the ordi-
nances, alluded to by Mr.. Cotton, lying in the
eastern section of the city, certainly need paving;
they would all have been paved long ago If certain