Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-04-28

night. For official proceedings see another
column.
IL THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, the follow
ing resolution from the Committee on fuoic
Property was read: NIT.
Resolved, That the Committee on r uui nS
Property be authorized 10 rent or lease suI u
portion Of the benches under the porch. on the
inside OF the market house, for butcher or other
stalls, on such terms as may Do oeeiheu 'Ao-
advantageous.
lavs nersons were prohibited from selling fresh
meat on the stalls designated, and the object
the renting of them to butchers-would be de-
feated unIess the law was changed The COM
m;,,ae was relieved from the further consldera-
ton OF the subject. -
From the Committee on Claims, the petition
of Thomas Swami for remission OF taxes on
nroperty, while occupied By the U. 8. during
the war as a wood yard, until remuneration
was made him by the government, was read
with Recommendation that the petition be al
lowed. The report was adopted, and aiterward
the phraseology altered to suspension OF col
lection OF taxes on the conditions attached to
similar cases heretofore acted on. Several
names were given of persons who had been
thus relieved, but the Board seemed unwilling
TO include them in tho resolution. not being
Certain VI I'll HoAlSSf ohA NV "A'o'SS
appear partial.
Ar This mint some conversational remarks
were INDUCED in by Messrs. Harmon and
Clark, 10 which the opinion was expressed
that IL was the fau.t nf Mr.. Swami himself that
he did not get rent from the u. ). govern
ment, and intimating that the cause OF not oc
tanning such remuneration was want OF loyalty.
Nr. Armstrong took the opposite ground.
A petition from Messrs. Tucker x Lucas, re-
ouesting gutter aud eurb to Do placed 40 front
Of their property, on the corner OF Columbus
and Wolfe streets, they Offering to furnish the
materials, brick, and sand, was referred to the
Committee ou Streets, with instructions to
have the work done il necessary.
The action Of the other Board on the petition
Of Emanuel Francis, c)ncernlng the grading oil
Montgomery street, was concurred IN, oruering
the grading TO be done.
A report was adopted from the Committee
on Streets with regard to nuisance at the
Mt. Vernon Cotton Mills, that 80 long as the
factory was rot IN operation no action was ne
cessaTy.
The minor business Of the evening hav-
ing beer accomplished, the Board, on
motion of Mr.. Armstrong, took mp the consd-
GRAFTON Of the Sunday law, and the bill, as pre-
viously reported, was read.
MIR. Bell offered substitute and briefly ex-
planned lis purpose =,
Mr.. Armstrong opened on the subject with
heavy artillery. He bad cOnversed with the
Mayor, who stated that under the law as at
present existing, any cue who chose to do so
could prosecute fish dealers aud packers for
pursuing their avocation, and that ii the cases
c,Ge before him he would have no option but to
impose fines for its violation. He thought that
inducements should be held out TO the salters
to remain here, and adverted to the attractions
and inducements held out by Washington to
get the fish trade, which, he seemed to think,
was the last remaining element OF the city s
prosperity, and the loss OF which she could no,
survive. The transient customers at the fish
wharf must aud would have whiskey; it was a
necessity of the trade not to be avoided, unless
the Council conclude that they don't want the
fish trade here. Ii they want its benefits they
must bear its evils; cut off the whiskey from
the fish wharf, and you drive off the labor, and
Washington will reach out her grasping hand
and clutch from US this last element OF thrift.
rhe day was past when xe could maintain an
arbitrary power. No desperate acts had been
or would be committed as had been intimated,
and il there were the Council was not response
BILE. Ii we 20 on at this rate with Sunday
laws it would soon be fineable offence for him
TO throw water on his house If it caught fire on
the Sabbath. We would certainly lose the
fish business if We attempted to trammel it
Good men come here to buy fish, and they have
rs much right to drink as he had to let 1t alone.
They would have their drama necessity calls
Tor it. The salters not DO ask iavors OF the
Council, but if the last alternative comes, will
90 to other places to enjoy liberty OF action. -
Mr. Armstrong on concluding his remarks,
which occupied considerable time, was replied
to by
Mr.. Harmon. who thought that the motive
of the hue and cry raised against the law was
not that fab dealers feared an interruption to
their regular business, but they wanted liberty
10 make the fish wharf drinking resort for all
the thirsty country and cities contiguous
There was something behind the representa-
that au interruption of the fish trade proper
was feared No one would think OF so prepos-
ferrous = thing having fish dealer prosecuted
TOR landing and packing on Sunday, an article
all knew was perishabe. lie thought there
was no necessity to touch tie law; was aware
that parties in Washington wanted It repealed
that they might come down here and have q
good time on Sunday.
Mr. Armstrong replied with much warmth,
that though he reply OF MIR. Harmon was in
tended Ms cutting, he did not 80 receive it, aud
warming with his subject, he pitched into Mr..
H. heavily, hurting back the inslnuati0ns from
hun of duplcity, IN the shape OF inuendoes. -
He Vas r, eman, and entitled to his judgment.
lie had been charged with dupcity, charged
with preposterousDess, aud with making =
subteriuge He was proceeding exeItedly when
he was called to order by Mr.. Harmon, on
point OF order. and simultaneously by the Pres
ident. He resumed his statements that the
Mayor WAS Obliged under the existing laws TO
udlulicate against the fish dealers.
Mr. Harmon discaimed any personal allu-
4 sion, but claimed that the real purpose was to
3 have the law repealed that they might sell
whiskey at pleasure; the anticipated difficulty
about fish was only an ostensble one.
The President stated that the suggestion Tor
the cmendation of the law came from the
I Mayor who wanted it clearly defined for his
guidance.
On motion, the substitute Of Mr.. Bell was
adopted.
A message from the Common Council was
received, asking the concurrence OF tins Board
IN the passage of bill amending the laws on
the funded deb: allowing bonds to be funded
at 6ve instead Of twenty years. 1t was briefly
explained by tho President that the law Obliged
the funding OF the public debt to be done In