Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-11-24

relation to night soil; adopted Bill ameniiug
TIE act In relation 20 the Inspection OF lumber
passed. Bill regulating boot blacks: laid ON
The table. Mr.. Davis moved to reconsider the
vote by which the resolution providing for Al
lection in the Second Ward was tabled; lost
The Aldermen s bill authorizing the Mayor Z,
continue a contract for the removal of deai
animals with J. NJ EIsler was passed. Mr.
Fowler presented a message from the Mayor
returning without his approval the oil for the
construction OF bridge over the canal at Vir.
gina avenue. Tue Mayor says: "The BILL as
presented 10 M, although properly signed by
he presiding officers of both Boards. and other.
wise uuJy aitested in form, has the following
Endorsement of the chairman of the COMMITTEES
on Enrolled Bills in your Board upon II, over
MS own signature: This bill never passed the
lower Board If this be true, il of itself would
be sufficient ground for returning the bill with.
out my sianaturr; but there are other objections
which deem ii my duty to make known to the
councils. In the first place, the propriety of
continuing the canal, over which this bridge
passes, for the purposes OF navigation. has
been, and Is now more than ever before, ques-
TONED hy the most intelligent portion of our
people, and the idea OF using it for that purpose
and as sewer AT the same time, will, after a
few years, when our population has increased,
as II Will increase, be considered intolerable.
In my opinion, the time has arrived when
measures should be taken for archIng and
hiding from view this pesIilent eye-sore; and
indulge the hope that before the present Con.
gress expires permission and aid from that
source may be obtained by which the CORPORA.
ton will derive title to the ground reclaimed
by closing the canal, and thus Will be opened
10 civilization and settlement this hitherto
offensive waste. IL this be done there will
exist no necessity for constructing bridge at
the point indicated-indeed the expense of
erecting anew all the bridges that span this
channel, as well as that Of maintaining sew
eral useless officers, will be saved TO the city,
In the second piece, many citizens, in whose
Judgment l have the fullest confidence and
who are as much interested IN having SAT.
bridge al the Virginia avenue eros sing as any
one can be, assure me that the present struc-
ture, with small outlay Tor repairs, will stand
Tor several years-at all events until the ques-
non of closing the canal is determined. Until
this matter is definitely settled, cannot give
my assent to the expenditure OF the revenues
OF TINS corporation for the purpose of endcly.
oring 10 keep IN navigable order ditch that
has absorbed and sunk beneath the scum and
NTH with which IT Is now filled nearly to the
orim such large portion of the taxes collected
fTom our people. If we wish to expend money
10 improve the navigation and commerce, OF
the city, and thus give employment to the han-
aIeds now looking in vain for work, let
turn our attention TO our river front both
OF our SHORES, and we will surely advances
the interests and prosperity Of both. Or they
can be probably employed by walling aud
archIng the canal. In the third place Vir-
glnla avenue is under the exclusive lurisdic-
ton of Congress, is subject to the control OF
the General Government, and if a bridge IS to
De erected across the canal at its intersection
with said avenue il should be done by the
Government through the Commissioner of Pub
lie buildings and Grounds. These aud other
objections. which il is deemed unnecessary To
name at this time, ha we induce ME relu family
TO withhold my assent TO the bill"
The question was taken on the passage of the
bill, and II was relected-yeas ;, nays 10.
Mr.. Fowler presented an invitation from the
proprietors Of the Whitehurst Gallery tor the
members of the Board TO SIT for their photo.
graph; accepted. Mr.. L. b. S. Miller reported
bill TO purchase wagon for the Water Board
amended by the Aldermen; amendment con.
Cured in Mr.. Bates, from the COMMITTEE
on Claims, reported resolution authorizing the
employment of competent engineers to assist
the Superintendent of Sewers in determining
on system OF drainage, improving the canal,
&C; adopted. Aldermen 5 bill to pla &c sky-
lights in the roof of the Northern Market was
referred. At l0,l5 the Board ad iourned