Daily national Republican., 1863-02-24
LOCAL NEWS.
city CounoII.

hCFOhh hlhtn street east anu II btfeeN hOuln rms
will require sl75.
Al the instance Of the Mayor, the surveyor re.
Gently proceeded to make estimates for improving
the lot, and the proper mode Of abatng nuisance
at the intersection Of Eighth street east with ID
street south, which Ia deemed intolerable.
In a second letter Mr.. Wallach transmits the
result Of that examination, which is as follows!
To efieotually drain the water-and II will be re-
quiHlte to construct wooden trunk two feet square
from the intersection Of street south, and Eighth
street east, to intersection Of Eighth street east
and Pennsyvanla Avenuei and from thence along
Eighth street east to Eighth and q streets south.
Thesum Of si, 900 will be required.
THIRD LeHer.-The Mayor has approved acts to
establish public hay scales and for other purposes;
for nag footwayS on street south, and Seventh
street east and also, joint resolution In relation
10 the alley in square 46T
Fourth Lsrer.-The Mayor also transmits COM
municAton from z. c. Robbins, Esq, President Of
the Board Of Metropolitan Police, and enclosing an
order Of that Board, stating that "uness some sat-
isfactory provision be made by the city Councils,
before the 6th day Of March ensuing for the ereo-
ton Of suitable station-houses within the city Of
Washington, that he will advertise for proposals
for the erection and proceed to carry into effect
the provisions Of the section Of the act OF Congress
on that subject
The gIh letter Cof the Mayor) contains the second
monthly report Of Mr.. John J. Peabody, Engineer
in Chief OF the new Fire Department, from which
we extract the following
Columbia CompHny-AppArAtus in good working
order.
Union Company-Engine and suction in good
working order Since last report they had fitted
up an old hose-cart, as to be able to return the
one they had belonging to the Perseverance, but
II Is very old, and will not stand much service.
Hose needs oilIng badly.
AnscostlA Company--In same condition 40 when
last reported. Recommends that their suction be
put in working order Immediately, as there are but
few plugs In that section Of the city and they have
10 depend upon their suction.
Franklin Company-Engine in orderi suotlons
are out Of orderi hose carts in order, but hose
wants oiing badly.
Perseverance Compensation out Of order;
should be repaired Immediately; two hose carts In
orders hose carriage at the shop for repalrs hose
in tolerAble condition.
Western Hose-HAs been turned out of the stable
from which they their carriage by the United
States Government authorities, and now have It
stored in Mr.. Hendley's stables, in such position
and under such circumstances that 10 case OF ate,
they can run II.
Metropolitan Hook and Ladder Company-About
the same condition as last reported very much out
Of order. tSee elsewhere In proceedingSl
American Hook and Ladder COmpany-TheIF
yruck in about the same position as last reported
Two additional ladders have been placed upon II.
The three lAst-nAmed companies and the Union
are without houses, and almost entirely out of
service In consequence thereof. The engneer-in-
chief earnestly recommends that they be put in
service Immediately. The Department, in its
present condition, cannot be relied upon. There
are not more companies now in the service than
there were twenty years ago. The population
double. The number of men In the whole Depart
ment that can be depended upon would not be as
many as each company had at that date.
1t will cost the city at least $1,000 year to sus-
tain an efficient Fire Department, and Washington
should have no other.
Mr.. p regrets to state that the Fire Department
is so poorly appreciated In this community. The
true fireman does not wish to a fire, but to be
prepared for II, come when II may.
The report recommends the adoption OF a style
ofside-walk hre-plug, and allow no other to be put
down, and the valve stems all made one sire and
square, so that any common wrench will At them
Mr.. Thompson, the assistant engineer, reports
the following plugs out OF order;
Footways at the Intersection OF Fifth and G
streets, Sixth and streets, Eighth and ;, Tenth
and F. cap lost Twelfth and !, out OF order; and
II, cap lost Twenty-third and =, Twenty fourth
and L. out Of order.
Also, the following sidewalk plugs:
Missouri avenue, between Third and Four-nnd-
a-hAlfstreetsi PennsylvAniA avenue, between Third
and Four-and-a-hslf streets, between Ninth and
Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth, and Fourteenth
and Fifteenth streets.
There have been but two alarms OF nre since last
report; one at the Arsenal, during the explosion
when the department apparatus was not admitted
within the enclosure, and the second a chimney.
In conclusion, the report suggests the AppoInt-
ment Of joint committee Of the Councils to act on
the report from the Engineer-in-ChieL Some Ao-
tion OF this kind should be taken to invest the Fire
Department with due authority and efficiency.
Referred to the Committee on the Fire Depart
ment.
Petitions were then received from Timothy GleA-
son, H. r. Forrest, and William p ParteIIo for
remission Of tneh. Referred to the Committee on
Claims.
Bill for the relief of Henry c, Helburn was re-
ported and passed.
Mr.. Richards introduced joint resolution that
the special committee before Congress urge an ap-
preparation for the repairs Of streets. Read three
times and passed.
Mr.. Richards also reported the bill making an Ap-
preparation to pay rent incurred by the Metropoi-
tan Hook and Ladder Company. Passed.
An act designating brand-marks OF -four for the
city of Warrington" family" "extra" Wextra
supernne," "hne," "middlings," &c. Referred to
the Committee on Police.
Bill authorizing the Mayor to rent or lease wharf
sites on Water street, on the Potomac river Re-
feTred TO tho Committee on WhArves, and ordered
to be printed with the proceedings.
Another important bill came up heIe-To relieve
the corporation OF Washington from any further
liability on account Of the Washington and Alex
andria Railroad" and for other purposes. Re-
feTTed to the Committee on Finance.
The concurrent resolutions recommending the
opening of Sixth street west were referred.
Mr.. Clark offered bill for grading and graveIling
L street south. Referred to the Committee on I'm.
pToVements
The joint resolution relating to the arbitration
Of claims against the Central guArd-house was re-
ferred to special committees when the Board ad-
jouTned.
Board Of Common CouRcH.-A communication was
received from the Mayor, announcing that he had
Aflxed his signature to certain acts.
An invitation from the Committee Of Arrange
ments Of the Grand Fair at Odd Fellows Hall was
received and accepted.
The Mayor transmitted to the Council letter
from 7. c. Robins, President Of the Board Of Me-
'tropolitan Police Referred to the Committee on
Improvements with instructions to report bill.
communication was received from the Sur
veyOT with reference to the abatement of a nuI-
sAnoe on the corner OF Eighth street east and d
street south, and Mr. Peak introduced a bill for
that purpose. Referred.
Also, a communication In relation to a nuisance
the corner of Sixth street east and street
south Referred.
Mr.. Raub referred to the outrages to which our