Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-01
GEORGETOWN CORPORATION AFFAIRS
Cc,rssPOndenes Of T1s Star.

CcussPOndenes Of The Star.
GEURGETowN, Dec 81, 1860.
The following is a brief report Of the action Of
the Board Of Common Council on Friday evening
last, on the salary resolution 10
When the rules bad been suspended, on motion
of Mr.. English, as stated in our last letter, the
resolution was read for information.
Mr. Dunlop suggested the addition Of Gre
IL being agreed to consider the resolution by
items, the Chair read the frst-"Mayor, $500 per
anuum."
Mr. Tenney was glad this bill had been brought
in In time to reduce the expenses, and he con-
Cured In that object and was In favor Of the reso
luton, but must oppose this item. He could do
so without reference to party or to the present
incumbent. He did not know who would be the
next Mayor. The gentleman over the way (Mr.
Stakel might Le, or he himself might be; but he
did not think he would. He then urged
that $500 would be sufacisnt pay perhaps, were
II nrs for duties the committee before Congress.
T-aid men * best. He moved to strike ont
500 end insert 81 coo, (the same as at present
Mr. stake inquired If the gentleman (Mr. T)
$1,000 and make him commissioner Of streets,
promised to vote for a reduction Of the Mayors
salary. Tive or three hours each day would be
sufficient in the Office, IL the incumbent was
quick as his friend (Mr. II } was. For himself,
he was not aspirant; he was too modest a man
If he recollected, his friend was the first to advo
cate the advance Of the Mayors salary from $500
Mr. Tenney said that he was not a member of
the Corporation at that time.
The Corporation was in debt and could not pay
small bills. Why 1t,
Mr.. Tenney said that when the Know Nothing
Corporation voted to reduce the Mayors salary to
$500, and appoint street commissioner at si00,
be voted against IL, and when Mr.. Crawford We
toed il he voted TO sustain him. He made the ex-
planation to show his consistency. He was
strong party man before elections, but afterwards
acted for the good of the town. He did not know
about the next mayor, or If we would want one.
If the suggestions of the Richmond Enquirer are
carried dsliQptOn n
Georgetown. But we have to act without refer
ence TO these matterc, and he only hoped the next
mayor would be able man. He would talk
candidly asw as to brother, and would say that
the duties Of the Mayor before Congress take up
. grea; deal Of time at the busiest season Of the
year for him; but II 1t were not for these duties he
might be induced TO accept a nomination.
MIR Dunlop said II was our duty to relieve
those who bear the burden Of taxation as much as
possible. Twenty thirty years ago Si0O
considered sufficient salary, and our population
was nearly large, and the duties greater, al the
Mayor then acted as a magistrate. There is how
very little to do. AS TO the labors Of the commit
tee before Congress they amounted to very little
he thOught suitable incumbent might be found
Sor the proposed salary.
not help him to get money In the treasury they
were willing to take care Of what they did get.
He would vote for 5000.
Mr. Pearson said II was a sour subject for q can
didate to fx bis salary before bis election to office
" any one didn't choose to serve for S400 $50,
let him stay at home. Plenty Of as good men as
that Mr.. English, when member Of the CON-
mittee before Congress, in 1850, or 1852 was in
formed that his services were not wanting. They
wanted the honors themselves. Mr. Mitchell and
Mr. Addison could go out there and swallow the
Capitol or dry the Potomac up. They had done
50 many things, be wanted them to rest two or
three years. He would vote for them 70 rest
MIR. Tenney said Mr. Addison had nothing TO
do with the matter. As for himself, his illusions
him to be candidate, but he had frowned down
the offer. The gentleman says that gentlemen
could be got for $780, but would they be worth
any more. He put higher estimate on his own
services. IL might suit rich men, but he had a
growing family 10 provide for. When he accept
ed once he wished to NIL il well. The man was a
credit 70 the office, not the office TO the man.
Mr. Pearson here made a remark which Mr.
Tenney characterized as indelcate allusisn
and high words passed between those gentle men
As the alteration rather of a personal nature
ana the difficulty was amicably adjusted, we
withhold a-rePoTt Of 1t. After this little episode
which was quite spicy, and seemed TO threaten an
''irrepressb bic conhiCt'-
Mr. English said he was sorry to see these per.
sOnalities The committee Of ways and means In
view Of the heavy debt Of the town, and casting
about to reduce the expenses, had commenced
with the office holders. He hoped future co.por
stiOns would look to salaries and street i'm prove
ments. SOME lad been asked for which involved
the Corporation and were quite injudcious. In
commencing this system Of retrenc hment and re
form, We could fortunately legislats without ref
erence To any one.
Mr.. f then proceeded TO advocate In an abl,
manner and at some length, the recommendation
OF the ways and means committee, stating amons
Other things that he had served on the COMMITTEE
before Cong ress without pay, and other gentlemen
had done and were willing to do 50
Mr.. Tenney's 81 COO amendment failed to pas
by the following vote:
Yea-Mr. Tenney-l.
Nays-Messrs Dodge, Dunlop, English, Fear
son, Hill, King, Pickrell and Stake%.
He then moved 'ssOo;' which failed by tn
same vote.
He then moved "s6OO'' In which the vote WAS.
Te=s-Messrs. Hill, Stake, and Tenney-3.
Nays-Messr. Dodge, Dunlop, English, Fear
son, King and PIckren-6.
The item was then passed.
The next item-''Clerk Of the Corporation an,
Secretary Of the Board Of Aldermen, 81 ,2Oo-afte
some remarks by the members generally compli
Inent.ry to Mr.. Laird, the present incumbent
passed unanimously.
The neIt-''suryeyor and Stree, COmmissioner
S3OOi-aad the next-''W ater Engineer, out q
the water fund, S3OOn-both passed without d.
bate 1.-THE present incumbent Of those Offices ge
81 400l
The next item-"fve policemen at s45O each,,
was opposed by Mr.. Tenney and other gentlemen
who thought the present salaries 1880 eachJw
little enough b; and suggestions were made, but nc
acted on, that the police might light and extir
guish the lamps; sfter which Mr. Tenney
amendmentto insert $500 passed by the followin
vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Dunlop, Hill, King, Pickrel
stake, and Tsnney-6.
Noes-Messrs. Dodge, English, Fearson-3
(There are at present eig ht policemen
The next item, s'Chief OF Police $500" was G
motion Of Mr.. Tenney, amended by insertn
5000, tthe present salary;) which passed by
same vote a: & the preceding P .%endment.
sl5O,' (at present he gets $780, was warmly d
bated, all agreeing, however, in reference:to Il
efficiency Of the present Incumbent, MIR. w. 4
King, and Mr. Tenney laughingly remarks
that he thought the pleasure Of listening TO =
debates here would pay for one nights atten
aDce; after which the item passed.
The next item, Messenger Of both Boards al
Of the Mayor. use Of town house and s200;n passe
The next, s'Scayenger $3.50" was, after expl
nstion, amended by Inserting 1890, /" 1.-THE prese
salary.)
The next, Keeper Of Little Falls Bridge slOO
passed.
The next sClerk Of the Market e100, - was q
POSED by Mr.. Tenney, and debated at some lengi
and Mr.. Tenney's amendment Of "sis0,r fail
by the following vote:
Yeas-Mess,s. Hill, King, Pickrell and T,
&ays-Messss Dunlop, English, Pearson, Al
Stake.
Mr. Tenney then proposed sI20; which pass,
The next, Superintendent Of Fire Appara
$50 y wTs after explanation, aud remarks CO