Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-08

Tx WAYS AND MANS REPORTS
Mr. Jones reported a bin TO supply a deficiency
in the appropriation to pay the CLERK to the Board
Mr. Ednonston said he thought the appropria-
ton ccording to law, bad been made, and would
Ike 10 hear the necessity for this bill explai ned
Mr Jes,esesaid IL was true that the appropriation
for the Clerk had been made But In execution
81 the work, when near the time for the books 10
10 returned 10 the COLLECTOR the Board discovered
that 10 was impossible for the Clerk alone tn yet
them ready. and authorized him to employ an
ass slant for which they promised that the CITY
would pay. upon their Recommendation The
Clerk did employ an assistant. the work was done
and the board OF Assessors asked this appropra-
ton.
NJ Albert remarked, that though justice called
for the payment Of this assistant and no doubt the
hlu would pass, IT was bad precedent BY we
recognize the obligation OF the Corporation TO
pay adebt contracted by an unauthorized party
pom The Same principle. any subordinate may
contract debt without consulting the Councils
and afterwards The bill is presented and the Coun-
ellis are obliged TO foot it,
The bill passed by yeas H. nays9
MI. Tree reported joint resolution increasing
The compensation Of the Secretary of the Common
Cuunril
Mr.. Powell said he thought that as the increase
Of pay {" attend the increase Of labor the pay
Of the Messenger should be Increased
Nj Jones suggested 4 separate bill to that end
a ne joint resolution was adopted Ii proposes
an Increase OF SlO0.
IMPROVEMENTS
The Improvements committee reported three
minor bills, which were passed without discus
SiO but the bill to amend the act 20 hit the CITY
with gas upon its being reported called for some
explanation The present mode Of assessing the gas
tax i considered unequal and unfair; and the
mentS of members indicate that the Injustice in
much more extensive than would be supposed by
tAf casual observer.
Mr.. Powell said he favored the bill because II
sayesi the owners Of corner lots from mpos ton
IL providing that the front Of the corner lot ONLY
shall he assessed. -..... ..a
Mr. Edmoaston thought that the bill should
make some provision for the lighting of streets on
both sides of short uares that there should be
q systematic assessment. I'd.
Mr.. Jones said that the evil lust referred to il
the result of a defect In the CHARTER defect
which, If not speedily remedied will retard the
Regular lighting OF the streets of the city for at
least quarter Of a century. Ii also CAUSES an as
sgSsinent OF manifest injustice to the citizens.
Many persons own small corner lots, taxable in
small aou ns, W lille the gas tax upon it is double
that OF the property tax. Again, some corner lots
are improved with small dwellings where the gas
Is If little advantage, and adjoining are extensive
palaces he might say; and the poor mans tar is
Triple that OF his wealthy Beig hbof
MI OrIne and others cited instances OF this I'M
Just taxation, This bill proposes TO assess the tax
upon the fonts Of corner lots except i'm cases
where separate stores or dwellings front upon the
side hne Of the lots 1t was passed. - -
RELIEF BILLS. . '.... =
Mr.. Powell Of the claims committee. reported a
bill Tor relief OF d. u. Ridgeley. Ii appears that
the petitioner was the ward apothecary duri NO
the late Aayor term, and that during the term
on the prescription of the ward physician Of the
Fist ard. to the amount of ninety dollars above
the regular appropriation. Ft
Mr. Edmonston argued that the appropriation
should not be made; there are no wefghtier rea-
sons Tor II now than when IL was rejected before
The cont nuance OF the apothecary in dispensing
the medicines was upon mis- own responsible
for he had been notified by the Mayor TO stop il
AEr-Abert thought this an equitable bilf. and
ought 10 he paid. The apOthecary is required 10
dispense upon the prescription Of the physician
This he LIS done. .-.
Mr. Morgan argued that justice, humanity. and
e'onony should prompt the payment Of ali such
Claims. n
Mr.. Orne said the Corporation has had more
trouble with these claims than any other and Cd
posed the appropriation. ~, -
Dr. Dullarnel interrupted him with a remark
relative 10 thu Swing Of life.
Mr. Orne replied that he believed that more
people wtre killed by doctors and their drugs
nlent OF the president, Mr. Albert relative to the
assistant Of the Assessors clerk will aDpy i'm this
case The aid was unauthorized then, and thu )
act OF Mr. kadgeley was forbidden. III the pre-
eedent was bad in one case II is no better I'm the
other. - =
Mr Albert replied that the case was vastly diff.
feteut. This expense is certified by an authorized
o1eer; the other was Incurred illegally, or by no
authority. !
Tue hill was passed..
TIE eorlslnittee asked to be discharged from the
consideration III tue Aldermens bill for relief of
Henry Middleton
Mr. Edlnonston hoped this bill would be passed
care Of Tor a friend IL was not his but was found
in his Possession by the police Mr. r gave the
pei TONER an excellent character, and hoped the
Council wOsid relieve him OF the fine. -
Mr.. Powell replied, stating that when he fir st
took hold Of this case he wasiaclned to remit the
hHe. Toe petitioner came with excellent char
acter and some OF his friends thought il an out
rage that he should be fined for CARRYING a mere
pocket knife The speaker went TO work and
found the knife-the pOcket-knfe-ahd in order
10 prove what h is had brought il with him
= nsre 1t Is, said Mr.. Powell 'sAint that a
Poe ket- knife ,; (hOlding up dirk with plated
handle blade about dve inches, in a scabbard. }
consistently. lie would not 90 for the relief Of
ODs " our own citizens who was unfortunate but
wonid relieve West Woodward, the biggest scamp
that ever walked. l expect he will soon 90 for
rrtfevine VESTS partner in Bohlayers case when
IL comes down. -.
Mr. Powef said he did not go for relieving
W OodwdIdi lac went for relieving his security
Mr.. Birch Tie interest Of the city had been
served by Kidding il Of Woodward; and he was
wllb5g 10 give up the nne to secure that. He
would look 10 the interest Of the CITY in ali CASES
snd If by releasing security the city can be lid
of rUwdy he willing to do it. let the security
9e "a that case w. II Birch as in this case
The committee was discharged. --
A bill for relief Of Charles kuhns was taken mn
Tue case was peculiar. The petitioner had been
arrested for firing gun in tue street and other
cases making tie Corporation zines and cost
over thirty dollars The Criminal Court had con-
stcsed birl Of assault. and confined him three
dollars line. He being laboring man with
wife and child, asked 20 be relieved Upon this
the question of sympathy was discussed
Messrs Given and Morgan argued against re-
mission Of the 1ne, and that there should be NO
Question asked other than has he been convicted
II the offence upon good aud suffic lent testimony;
was the penalty tae legal one, IL this be an.
s~ered anlrtIiatiyeiy the committee should report
accordingly, and the law should be enforced IL
neafi vei, then Is the dnty Of the Board TO remit
Mr. Powell aid II was probable that il the fnr
was t9II~fced this man would become charge
nPOn tie tity.. He is a day laborer, and every
Que knows now much they make when In con-
slant employ He las a wife and child To main
tain Ghrte months OF his time has been lost by
couh ae'nent IN Jail. and he has also paid nftern
dollars line, thus .hing his chances 70 rais.
the Corporation tine Where can he get it, en-
less Souse Kind person viii loan hiui the money
lac nl0st Le taken and again confined and then bIs
Jail fets must be f@id by the city Self Interest
sLOuld induce Ma Corporation 10 remit the nne
The bill Was re- Jected.
Alter the transactio on Of some business Of minor
iaf"-tanc, and the reference Of various new bills
thr Bsard adjourned. ----
R'D.NG PRAcriCE-The gentlemen who have
hay" entered the list rs gts 20 contend for the