Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-12
GEORGETOWN.
Connection with virxinia-Special Meet
ing Of the City Ceuncils.


tee appointed At joint meeting of the two
Boards, held on Thursday night, 20 confer
with committee from the Alexandria Canal,
, nrIose nnc kalrSsd Company, stated that the
day, and, after three hours session, the Coun-
c'ls committee had agreed upon a report in the
form OF an ordinance; which he proceeded 70
read first and second time.
Mr.. Thomas hoped that the subject would be
laid over few days. He stated that sickness
had prevented him from learning what had
been going on with regard to the matter,
and il was with desire that further time
should be given him to consider the SUBJECT.
that he came out tonight In order,
therefore, TO AFFORD MIN that opportunity. he
moved that when this meeting adiourns II ad-
lourn to meet again next Friday night. Mr..
Newman moved TO amend by inserting that 4;
adiouIns to meet at the call OF the Recorder.
Mr.. Thomas opposed the amendment. Mr..
Davis opposed postponement of action, as IL
was highly important that preliminary
measures should be adopted as early as posi-
bic. The purpose was to expedite matters,
so that articles Of agreement could be entered
into, and the necessary timber and material for
the constr ucnon of the bridge could BE- brought
here before bad weather sets in. Mr.. Thomas
ollowed up his opposition TO the passage OF
he ordinance at this time. He did not intend
o debate the subject; but 1t was the same old
song, whenever subject OF Questionable pro-
priery was sprung they We've always told that
deiays We're dangerous. Ii he had been able 10
have given the matter examination
he should not have expected any charity a, the
he hoped that il would be postponed. Ii Fri
day was too long to put II of, he would agree
to an earlier day. For himself, he would say
that he acted entirely on his own responsible
y. Mr.. Davis questioned whether there was
much doubt at TO the propriety OF the measure,
and hoped that the ordinance would pass at
once. Mr.. Newman desired 10 know whether
the aqueduct company proposed TO give the
corporation control Of the bridge, should 1t De
built upon the terms proposed. The Recorder
thought that would depend upon the condition
a for
Committee to decide. Mr.. Newman then SAID
that he regarded the scheme as the most impor-
tant to Georgetown, which had ever arisen.
The building Of this bridge would, in his opin-
ion, be of more benefit TO the town than the
completion Of the Loudoun and Hampshire
railroad. Mr.. Hill conceded with the views
again urged his objections TO hasty legislation
in the matter. 1t was we'll known that
a conflict had existed between the Cor
poration and the Alexandria Aqued uct
with proposition to borrow s25,O00, with
which they propose TO build bridge, and IL Is
argued that the contract shall be sealed imme-
diately. There was surely something behind
the scenes which should require q little exam
ination before we involve ourselves in the obli-
cation. The matter should be thoroughly in
quired into. Mr.. Davis defended the Aqueduct
Company against any Interior motives In the
proposition they had made. There was nothing
foggy in the transaction, so far he could per-
ceiIe The company proposed to construct the
bridge and spend S2nOO0 on their own account
independent of the appropriation asked for of
the Corporation. In his opinion the town could
better afford 70 sink the whole appropriation
than suffer the matter TO 60 by default. Tue
question then required upon the third reading
of the ordinance, when Mr.. Thomas made OBJ
lection. The Recorder ruled that objection
could not be m;de 10 the third read
ing, this being a special session of the
Boards, which closed with this meeting
1t was proper 10 continue the reading OF a bill
10 its passage on the consent of two-thirds
: no finn oh
special session, and likely to close with that
meeting, he regarded a two-thirds vote as suf-
hclent TO warrant proceeding Mr.: Thomss
appealed from the decision Of the Chair an q
the yeas and nays being called for, the ruling
of the Recorder was sus tanned by the following
vote:-Yeas-Messrs. Bropaugh, Davis, HILL,
and Newman-i. Nays-Mr. Thomas. Fol-
lowing this vote. Mr.. Thomas arose and stated
that he regarded the action of the Board as
personally disrospectiul. Nothing but a sense
of duty had brough. him 10 the meeting IL
was not 10 defeat the measure; but, as he was
too sick TO give the subject his attention at tn
time, he came to ask for postponement for
one week. No courtesy had been shown him,
and he was forced TO the wall. Such conduct
was disrespectful, and he should always feel
ii so. He was not able, but many things could
be said TO induce the Boards 10 pause in their
action. With regard to the bridge paving an
interest on the Appropriation, he did not think
the Corporation would ever derive one cent
revenue from the investment. 1t was
well known that the disposition of the
majority of the people coming TO and going
from Georgetown. would lead them TO walk
five miles TO pass over free route, sooner than
they would pay five cents 10 travel over
turnpike road. The measure was one fraught
with importance, but he would not further en-
danger his health at this time 10 discuss IL. So
far as the decision OF his friend. the Eaco -der
was concerned, he would venture the asser-
ton that there was no tribunal ia the country
winch would sustain the view he had taken
IL was unheard Of and he could but regard il
as a hardship on himself. The ordinance was
then read third time and passed, Mr. Thomas
voting in the negative. The following resolu-
ton passed the Board of Directors of the Alex
andria Canal, Railroad. and Bridge Company,
embodes the proposition upon which the
Councils have taktn action:
Resolved, That the Secretary is hereby in
structed TO notify the Mayor and CITY Council
of Georgetown that upon their subscription of
the sum of S20,0U Tor the construction OF a
travel bridge upon and over the Alueducl
win snch additional sum as may be required
from this company, the work will be CON-
menced and imms diately executed upon terms
hereafter 10 be agreed upon. The railroad
bridge company agree, as security for the loan,
to make a lien on all the tolls of said bridge to
secure, first, the payment OF in terest and sec
o1dly, the grad ual retirement of the principal
a. will meet the wishes and best ubserye IN
The ordinance, as passed by the Board of
Aldermen, having been transmitted to the
Council,was taken up by that body, discussed,
and adopted with amendments; when il was
referred back to this Board, and the amend
ments were promptly concurred in.
The following ordinances and resolutions
originating in and passed by the Common
Council, Were disposed of:-An ordinance
amending section of an ordinance requiring
wheat potatoes, and rye TO b. sold by weight,
said amendment specifying Sc poudds to the
bus6el instead OF 90 pounds, was passed. A
resolution TO pay the claim of I. III. DDnohoe
was passed. A resolution TO repair Bridge
street, from Frederick street TO Liugau street
was passed. A resolution 10 pave the sidewalk
on the west front of High street public school
house " as passed. Adjourned.
COMMON CoUECIL.-The Chair read the com
munlcation from the Mayor calling the special
meeting, and the usual messages passed be-
tween the boards. The Chair laid before the
board the proposition of the Alexandria Canal
Bridge and Railroad Company; referred to the
Board of Aldermen. Mr.. Newman presented
st eet for the establishment Of a branch mar
kei; referred. Also, petition Of Robert Gun.
bingham, complaining Of the condition Of a
certain lot belonging TO Brook Mackall; re-
ferred. Mr. Wells presented the petition OF
the dealers in potatoes, praying the modifica-
ton OF the law which fixes sixty pounds as the
bushel OF potatoes, so as the legal weight may
be Sc pounds, the same as In Washington: re.
feTred. Mr.. Edmonston presented the petition
OF certain parties for a flag footway; referred
Mr.. Collins, from Claims Committee. reported
resolution 10 pay the claim Of T. II. Donohoe
passed. Mr.. Newman, from Streets Commit
tee, introduced resolution leasing part of Madi-
SON street to Thomas Goodrick: laid on the
table. Also, resolution TO pave side walk on
west front OF High street public school house
TO repair Bride street, from Frederick street 70
M ad