Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-28
LOCAL ITE Ms.

ALpERMES.-I. B. Taylor, President, pre-
sided.
Mr.. Armstrong, from the Committee 81
Claims, reported in favor of the remission
of tax on slave, each, charged 10 Capt
Samuel Baker and MessrS. John L. Hill
and james 5. Rogers: in favor Of granting
Il compensation of $50 10 Police Officer, Jo
seph Williamson. of Washington, for the
capture of certain alledged offenders; in ia
vur of reducing an income tax charged to
Independence Francis: III favor of Il change
OF the tax on fees charged 10 {. NJ. Castle
man, Deputy Sheriff, to James Sangstrr.
Sheriff: and adverse to the applications OF }.
Monroe Newton aud John /. Hill, for re-
duction of assessments all which reports
were adopted except that portion relative TO
the application of Dir Castleman, which was
recommltttd.
Mr.. BRYAN presented the petition of John
Withers, for reduction of the assessment
on two stores
Mr.. Armstrong moved to lay the petition
on the table. The Committee on Claims had
established the rule that il real estate paid
\ per cent gu the assessment, no reduction
ought to be made: il was, therefore. unne-
cessary to refer this petition, since this pro-
perty rented for Sl40o) The petition was
referred To the Committee on CLAIMS.
Mr.. Bryan submitted an order that the
petition of F. A. Marbury, for remission of
tax of 500, rs Agent of the Alhemarle In
Surance Company, with accompanying pa
prrs he Withdrawn IRON the files, and refer
red 10 the Committee On Claims, which Or
der was adopted
Mr.. Armstrong, from the Committee on
Streets. made report on the subject OF the
cuycrt on the property OF the Alexandra,
Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad Company
which was laid on the table for future CON
sideration.
A petition of Robert j. Lackey asking a
reduction Of assessment on property Mt the
n. + corner OF King and Union, streets,
was referred to the Committee on Claims
The Board concurei in the reference OF MIR.
Johnston's letter, DC. relative to the Court
House, also, in the reference OF the report
of the Trustees of the poor.
The petition of Christopher Nsale for re-
duction OF an assessment on buildings at the
corner of King and Washington, SIS, was
received, and referred to the Committee on
Claims.
The letter of Lewis Mckenzie, esq, the
delegate of the county in the General As
semby, relative to proposed repeal Of the
amendment to the city charter. annexlng
that part "f til" County OF Fairfax lying
north Of Hunting Creek 10 the city, and the
proposed extension Of the Winchester and
Potomac Railroad to Strashurg. was recelv-
ed. read, and referred to the Committee on
General LuwS.
The b ard laid on the table the amend
menl 10 the joint rules adopted by the other
Board. and roncurrcd in their order recon-
hitting the report Of the Committee on
Claims. Adjourned.
In the Common Council, Lewis Mckenzie
President. presided.
A communication WAS received from i.
Johnston relative to a bill proposed in the
General Assembly regarding the sale Of the
Court ll,u.e.
Mr. Latham introduced an order directing
the remission OF the yas bills due from the
several fire companies. Mr.. Smoot offered
substitute allowing the Co panies to use the
gas until the committee on light should RI
port upon the subject: both of which were laid
on the table.
Mr.. Kinzer introduced an amendment to
the Joint rule. authorizing either bonrd 10
refer sub ec,s to Joint committees, which was
agreed IL.
Council concurred IN the action of the
Board Of Aldermen rerommIttlng the bill
lor amending the city charter and referring
memorials OF John Wrthers, /. A. Marbury,
g. Neale. and letter oi Lewis Mckenzie.
esq, to appropriate committees.
Council refused 10 concur IN the action of
tn. Board Of Alderman relative to the claims
of j. s Rogers and others and recOmitted
the repo' 1, 10 be made more definite. Also
~ 10 the memorial of X. }. Lackey which
was laid on the table. Adjourned.
CHRISTIANS D.Y-rhe Christmas which
fell upon Sunday. was appropriately Oh
served in the Churches Of the city. Through
out the street, there was little Sign Of mirth.
and the louder observanres Of the day were.
bv common consent. most properly postponed
til Monday. which was observed with due
fcstivty The day was unusually pleasant,
the finest indeed Of all the month. The at
mosphcre WAS brig hter. but AZ genial as III
Indian Summer, and oyercuats had 10 be left
behind ~ membranes. The streets were
filled from morn to eve with throngs Of men
and children who seemed determined I"
brave out the holiday" and. notwithstand
ing the reports of pistols, aud the bursting Of
suuibs and fire crackers the nuisc OF which
continued. without lntermlsslon, during the
entire holidav-nnt a few ladles were lured
abroad BY the exceeding plrasantness of the
weather. The quiet Of the citizens IN the
upper part Of the town was good deal dis
TURNED by the firing Of guns, pistols, and
revolycrs on the sidewalks. by collections Of
unruly boys ard young men. and ladies' and
children were much frightened and ANNOYED
AT the manner in which the firing was kept
M. The dav was observed with greater
mirth than has boom usual here for several
wears. Al night, rockets and other fire
works w"r. st If nj various places, and
the noisy mrth had not entirely ceased its
din AT midnight
The quiet pleasures of Ale tresidc, the
reunion Of families and friends, the presents
the Christmas trees, and the social games
and ya lnrsses that ma lie Christmas indoors,
were not forgotten mid the noiSier rants I'll
tho streets. 1t was Merry Christpnas III
many happy home, and the slumber that
followed was the smiling sleep Of Innocence,
and brought neither head nor hcart-achc.
Among the incidents Of the day, We men
ton the gathering ui the children Of the Isl
Baptist Church Sabbath School with their
teacher. and friends. in the Church base.
mrnr where they spent the morning in sing