The national Republican., 1861-01-08
L LOCAL N EW s /.
CITY COUNCILS.

to the same committee.
A petition from Joseph Reynolds, in relation
to a fire plug, was referred to the Committee on
Police.
A petition from Mr.. McNaughton, asking a
release from claim for license, was by request,
taken from the Committee on Finance, and re-
ferred to the Committee on Claims.
The Committee on Finance reported bill
for the settlement of the claims of W. d. Wal
ZACH and R. A. Waters, for printing; which was
passed.
The same committee also reported q bill for
paying certain bonds on the Alexandria and
Washington railroad; which was passed.
The claim of Moses Minister was referred to
the Committee on Claims.
A sidewalk FIRE plug was ordered to be erected
on the corner of square No. 374.
An act for the relief Of William McBeth was
referred to the Committee on Claims.
A bill authorizing an appropriation for GER
tain repairs on Centre Market was passed.
Mr.. Brown introduced resolution inquiring
into the necessity Of more efficiency in the fire
department. Many had complained that there
was not sufficient hose. The iremen were ef
fcient men, but are not provided with all the
necessary appliances.
Messrs. Magruder, Brown, Price, and others,
discussed the question.
1t appears that the fire department is inde-
pendent of the Corporation, the companies
having been chartered by Congress.
Alderman Msgruder, who was one Of the fire.
men of this city for about twenty-five years,
gave full history of the fire department.
The resolution of Mr.. Brown passed.
After which, the Board adjourned.
BOARD OF COMMON CoUNCIL.-The Board
met at the usual hour, and was called to order
by the President. All the members present,
except Messrs. Wilson and Mulloy.
A communication was received from the
Mayor, enclosing report from the Inspector of
Fire Apparatus which was referred to the
Committee on the Fire Department.
Also, one in answer to the resolution of in.
qniry, offered on Monday last by Mr.. Mulloy.
He states that the cost Of the stand Of colors
presented to the Seventh Regiment was $720,
and the cost of engrossing cards for presenta
ton to various military companies was $35.
Messrs. Mead, Thomas, hammond, Jones,
committee, in accordance with the resolution
adopted on Monday last, to inquire into the ex
pediency Of reducing the expenses Of the Cor.
poration.
Mr.. Morgan offered joint resolution in re.
lation to postponing the tax sales. Referred to
the Committee on Police.
Also, a bill authorizing the issuing Of due
bills to the amount of 100000. Referred to
the Committee of Ways and Means.
Also, resolution requesting the Mayor to
inform the Board the cause of the non.execu-
tion of the act relating to the purchase of hose.
Also, resolution appropriating $1,000 for
the benefit of the various military companies
which, after some discussion, was referred to
the Committee on Police.
Mr.. Jones reported bill relative to lighting
the city; which was amended, and passed.
Mr. Easily presented resolution instructing
port q bill providing a Steam Fire Depart
ment.
Mr.. Van Riswick reported bill for grading
Tenth street west; which was amended, and
passed.
Also, bill for grading First street east, be-
tween M and N streets south which was
passed.
Also, bill authorizing James Rhodes tc
erect frame building next to a brick one
which was passed.
Mr.. Mead, from the Committee on Police, re
ported resolution approprating $66.5S, to pay
balance due on repairs to the Northern Mar
ket; which was passed.
He also, from the same committee, asked tt
be discharged from the further consideration o
the petition of William King, and that it b'
re1erreu 10 tne OOumlIIee Oh SldlmS'
Several bills from the other Board were re
ceived and referred.
The Board then adjourned.
The FOURTH WARD MEETING-A meetin,
of the citizens of the fourth ward favorable II
the organization of military company for th
protection of this city, was held in the Hall o
the Metropolitan Hook and Ladder Compan
last night, and was largely attended.
DR.. ]. s. Smith was appointed Chairman, AM
Mr.. E. G. Eckloff Secretary. About eight.
names were enrolled.
A committee of FIVE was then appointed t.
draw up Constitution, and also to adopt
uniform. The uniform proposed by the com
mittee consists Of glazed cap, gray jacket
and black pants.
The company adopted the name of the Me
ropoltan Rifles; and Tuesdays and Friday
were appointed as the regular meeting nights
They then proceeded to the election of off
GERS, with the following result:
First Lieutenant, W. A. Gray.
Second Lieutenant, John G. Chauncey.
Third Lieutenant, David Lewis.
The further election of officers was postpone
until tonight.
On motion of Mr.. Henry Lyle, the Harde
drill was adopted.
A committee of three was then appointed, t
solicit subscriptions to buy uniforms for thos
unable to furnish themselves. The meetin
then adjourned, with three hearty cheers for tn
Union.
ANOTHER HOTEL SwINDLE.-On Saturda
morning, two young men arrived about the sam
time at Browns Hotel, and took rooms there
One of them, whose name is Wooten, directe
his baggage to be taken to his room, and d.
posted with the clerk package containin
$l4O in money. The other, whose name wa
given as David N. White, directed his baggag
to be sent to the same room. In the evening
White went to the clerk and asked for the pacl
age which Wooten had deposited with the Ia
ter, which the clerk gave him, thinking he wa