Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-10-18
10 CAL n Z " S.
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The CITY Council was held last night, at which
there were present, Messrs. ". D. Massey
President, Mckenzie, Baker, Neale, Arnol''
DYSON, Garwood, Jameson, Moore, oo"lng'
DaW and Portner.
The minutes Of the last meeting having o Iss
read and approved, the committees were 0aii0u
on for reports. 14,.
Mr.MoKenzie from the committee to whom
was referred the subject OF the night Watcn'
Nth instructions to bring in bill regulating
their duties, compensation, &c, stated that
the committee had not been able to agree upon
abil, and askedfor further time.
communication from the Mayor and Pres
idept of Council, committee appointed to
confer with the Military authorities IN refer
once to the damage done to the Fire apparatus
Of the city by the u. S. troops, was received,
enclosing communication from the Chief En-
pineer of the Fire Department, and one from
the Post Quartermaster. The latter states
that if it can be proved that the damage done,
was the result of orders from the commanding
officer be will lay the subject before the Quar-
termaster General for his action, but that II
the damage was not from orders but merely
the acts of troops, unauthorized, then 1t can
not be properly charged to the Department.
The Chief Engineer states that the Friend
shin engine was taken to Fort Ellsworth, by
order of the Commanding General, twice IN
1862, and there kept and used, and upon It's
return was found to be greatly damaged, as
was also $50 feet Of hose, used at the same
time, costing the city $3.50 to repair and re-
place. The Sun engine while in use, BY Capt.
Taylor, Quartermaster, was damaged to the
amount Of $3.50, and the Star engine completely
destroyed, together with 300 feet OF hose
loss to the city Of 1880 The Relief appa-
ratus, consisting Of two suctions, and one hose
reel was destroyed by soldiers quartered IN tue
engine house, the loss to the city amounting to
$1,000.
The total loss amounts to So, $780, from which
deduct the sales of damaged hose, and articles
saved from the wreck, $336-leaves net loss
to the city of S3,5 The damage TO the
engine houses has been repaired by the y. ..
Mr.. Massey said it was perfectly patent that
the damage had been done by the military.
Mr.. Mckenzie said that i it could be proved
that the Military had done the damage, it
would be Of great advantage IN future proceed
ings.
Mr. Jameson said he could swear positively
that in one case, the engine had been taken by
order Of the Quartermaster. Several other
members could bear testimony to the engines
having been taken and used by the military
authorities.
The communication and accompanying pa
: pers we're referred to the Committee on Public
Property
The Committee to whom was referred COM
municatlon in reference to procuring suitable
place for the storage of powder, and the
committee on the Codifcation of the Laws ct
the Corporation were called on, but we're not
ready to re port
Mr. Massey submitted the following resolu-
ton, which was seconded by Mr.. Mckenzie:
Resolved, That the committee on General
Laws be, and are hereby instructed to bring IN
a bill repeating all laws relating to slaves.
Mr. Massey said that the laws on the sub
!ect were perfectly imperative, and be deemed
it expedient that they should be repealed at
once; that they came in conflict with the laws
Of the general government, that they caused
considerable trouble tothe Mayor and Magis-
trates; that under existing circumstances they
you'd merely bring on conflict between the
State and government authorities, and that
BY repeating them there would be less trouble
between the Freedmen's Bureau and the civil
authorities, -