The national Republican., 1869-02-26
LOCAL DEPARTMENT.

GkoRoETowS CoUscms.-Thetwo Boards
n tbe Georgetown Councils assembled last
,yenIng for the purpose Of taking action In
egnrd to the water supply being cut of from
ertain portions Of the town by reason Of the
Of the pump which forces the
vater TO the distributing reservoir, and the
equest made by the engineer In charge TO
ave the use Of the steam ire-englne Henry
addison as a steam pump; and also TO con-
ider the following communication
Hon. cna,. D. RsfeS, Mayo et otcsrgtiorS!
srRi In reference to the Iron bridge about
70 be built over Rock creek to connect
street, In Washington, with Water street, In
have to inform you that 1.-THE |
bridge be built TO conform to the present |
grade Of Water street there will be head
way Of nine feet and three inches between
ordinary high water aud the underside Of the
Of the bridge.
In order that there may be a hcadway Of
twelve feet, as requested by the president Of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company,
II will be necessary 10 raise the grade OF
therefore respectfully request to be Informed
whether the grade OF Water street Is to be
raised, and " so, how much.
Very respectfully,
In the Board Of Aldermen AFTER the read
Ing Of the above communication and several
letters from Col. spates, the president Of the
Canal Company, In which that gentleman
urges that the bridge be placed at l2 feet
above the water, Mr.. Davis offered a reso-
luton pledging the corporation Of George
town TO raise the grade OF Water street to
conform to the height Of the roadway Of the
structure.
Mr.. Hill explained that he had called upon
the Mayor Of Washington, and Mr.. Bowen
had stated that the corporation Of Washing
ton would be willing to do anything to OBJ
lge the canal company, and all that was
required was that Georgetown should, by the
action Of the two Boards OF City Councils,
decide to raise the grades Of their streets In
such manner as TO make travel easy.
Mr.. Jenkin Thomas took the ground that
II was not right to force this matter through
the Councils In such hurried manner. To
raise the grade as proposed would injure the
property along the line of Water and Green
streets.
Mr.. Davis said that to raise the grade, as
proposed, would make better travelling than
at present on Water street.
The yeas and nays were then ordered on
the resolution, resulting In Its adoption by a
vote OF I to 2, Messrs. Thomas and Newman
voting In the negative.
The resolution was subsequently returned
from the Board of Common Council, with an
a conference committee having been ap-
pointed, the following amendment was agreed
upon, and was added TO the resolution. The
full resolution, as finally adopted, is as fol-
lows:
Rcsolped, That with n view TO the utmost
extension Of the trade Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal, the authorities Of this town will
cooperate with the city of Washington, by
the graduation of the streets to adopt them TO
the rpnuirempnla of atraat hridgc in tee
construction, suited to the wants Of the canal
company; namely, that there may be head
way Of twelve feet between ordinary high
water and underslde OF the supcrstructure
Of said bridge, as requested by the President
of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com
pauy.
The bill to abolish the office of street COM
missioner was received, and after good deal
of discussion failed on Its passage by vote
Of 3to3.
The resolution petitioning Congress for the
speedy completion Of the Washington aque-
duct was received and ndowed; and the
Board adjourned.
In the Board of Common Council DR.. c.
II. Crngin, president Of the Board, presided.
While awaiting action on the part of the
Board OF Aldermen in relation to the special
business Of the evening, the Chair announced
that he was ready to receive any other busl-
ness which might be brought before the
Board, and
Mr.. Ramsburg offered q resolution In re-
gard to the insufficient supply OF water
which the city Of Georgetown now has, and
appointing DR.. Charles II. Cragin, president
Of the Board, a committee to present petl-
ton to Congress, which accompanied the
resolution, to request such action us will
remedy the evil, and make an appropriation
TO speedily complete the Washington aque-
duct. The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. English introduced an ordinance to
repeal the law now In existence In relation
to the appointment of a street commissioner,
and abolishing the Office of street commits
sioner.
On the question of the passage Of the BILL
Mr.. Shoemaker said that, as he understood
1t, this ordinance was Introduced for the pur-
pose Of getting rid of Mr.. Jno. II. Newman,
the present street commissioner. He was
opposed to this seeming spite-work. The
majority at present In the Board were fairly
and squarely whipped at the last election,
and he did not think that 1t was right, at
the close OF the session Of the Board, to pass
an ordinance Of such vital Importance and
tlon official.
Mr.. Clements Indignantly repelled the nc.
cusation of there being spite-work In the at
tempt TO oust the street commissioner. lie
denied that the Republican party had been
fairly beaten at the late election, and said
that the result WAS brought about by the In
trigues Of bad men.
Mr.. English disclaimcd any Intention ot
spite In Introducing the ordinance. lie hat
done 1t with the best Of motives, believing
as he did year ago, that there was n
necessity for the continuance OF the Office
and he, therefore, desired 1t abolished, bu
was overruled at that time.
The bill was then passed.
The Board then proceeded to consider th
resolution In regard to the X street bridge.
Mr.. Ramsburg offered an amendment /
raise the grade OF Water street to eleven fec
above the level of Rock creek.
The amendment was adopted, but rs tn
Aldermen refused to concur q committee o
conference was asked, which having bee
appointed they agreed to report the resolu
tion as given In the report Of the proceeding
OF the Aldermen. The report Of the confer
ence committee was subsequently adopted.
IL being understood that no Legislation
was needed In regard to the service Of tn
steam fire engine, Henry Addison, as a steam
pump, the Board adjourned.
LETTER PROM JAMES E. MrRDoCH.-Ol
the 24th instant we published a request
made by prominent members of Congress
army officers and other gentlemen to Mr.
Murdock, inviting him to deliver on Marcl
ture on Abraham Lincoln. The following /,
his letter Of compliance, addressed to Ii,
secretary Of the lecture committee Of pos
No. 3, q. A, R.;
Albert ". Seip, ss9.i
DEAR SIR ] am Just In receipt OF your,
OF the =O'h, having been absent from the
city ior several days, It affords me tn,
greatest pleasure to comply with the request
OF the distinguished gentlemen whose name
you have forwarded.
With profound sense Of the honor tho,
have conferred on me by their lnyltntion i,
deliver my lecture on the Martyr President
| hereby present my sincere ncknowIcd,
ments, and subscribe myself your obrdleS,
servant, &C., JAMES +. MrRpocW.
sLIOHT FRE.-Shortly after ten o'clocI
last evening fire was discovered in IN
wooden shed In the rear of Mrs. TAYLOR
boarding house, No. All Third street, betweeI
rehhsyiNanla avenue and & street. A fey
eiuLehs IN the vicinity hastened to the spot
anu " means Of buckets and blankets pre-
Nenteu the spread Of the flames beyond tn
shed until The engines arrived, the ALARM
having been sounded from box a. By hi,