Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-14
. 9 G. A + NE w S.

meeting of the City Council vas held last
night. For official proceedings sec another
column.
Board Of Aldermen. On the question Of
paying q bill tor printing blanks for use of
magistrates, Mr.. Suttle demurred to the re-
port, stating it was presumed that these officials
know how to write, and ii they preferred to
have blanks printed. why they ought to pay
for them. 1t was the custom, be thought, all
over the State, for magistrates to furnish
blanks for their own use. The collectors oil the
city taxes, he thought, furnished their blank
bills.
Mr.. Simpson Oh. no. they are furnished
by the city. The City Council was supposed
to stand in the stead Of the County Court 10
these matters. In answer to the question as
to whether the County Court had ever paid
such bills, he said that it had been done, at
least sometimes. If the law would at all iussi.
ty it be thought that the magistrates ought to
be helped, as they receive 90 small pay.
MIR. Harmon supposed that the committee
had been posted on the matter. II the County
Court had been in the habit Of paying these
bills. let us do so if not then We should not.
Mr.. Suttle was thoroughly satisfied that ii
We vote to pay this bill, no complaints would be
made by the people We represent. Still if there
was ~ duIuOtl III " " foNC vi = 90
it would be setting a bad precedent.
Mr Simpson had seen Judge Lowe, whose
mind was not quite clear Oh the subject, but
he was rather of opinion that it was proper for
tho city to pay this bill.
Mr.. Markell moved that the matter be laid
over.
Mr.. Asnew said this seemed to bs ~ new
matter, 10 which there was no precedent to
guide the committee. He let that the creditor
should be paid, but if the city did not justly
owe him, let him 60 to the parties who en-
ployed bim.
Mr.. SuttIe moved to non-concur, which
motion was adopted after some fu,her debate.
A bill OF DR.. D. NJ. French for services at
the icquests on the bodies Of Martha French,
c%olored. aod George Morrow, was read. An
item OF the bill Of IS, for attending Morrow 8
inquest. was objected to by
Mr.. Suite, who said that tho bill should be
sent to the Couoty Court. The murder was
committed 10 the county.
Mr.. Simpson said that DIR. French had
uothiug to do with the facts 10 the case, He
was summoned by the Coroner, aud the inquest
was held here.
Mr.. French thought the bill had better be
paid it was a small matter any way.
Mr.. Simpson said thas as the corpse was
brought here by the mans friends. DR.. French
utsS IL Il hC SdOoSoS IL OioAhd q
valid one.
Mr.. Suttle-We might as well pay the eX-
penses of keeping the prisoner whit in Jail.
MIR. Simpson did NOT think the county would
pay the bill it presented to that Court, for 1t
Was not a county Jury.
MIR. Harmon moved to pay all except the SIS.
Mr.. Agnew said that it was no fault OF DR..
French, that the city Was saddled with this
expense.
Mr.. Harmon's melton was adopted.
A bill of L. n. Carter of So. for surveying,
was read. and reported by the Committee on
Claims 'favorably, If usual to pay such
claims. This, after som little discussion was
recommittcd.
Mr.. Harmon presented a remonstrance from
residents on Henry street against the passage
OF any new railroads through that street. which
he asked should be filed with the other papers
on that subject.
Mr.. Suite moved to bring up the subject
of the Alexandria and Fredericksburg railroad.
Mr.. French said the report was on the table,
and be trusted it would be allowed to remain
there tor the present; The other hoaru Tas
now discussing another and possibly widely
diverse report. i,
MIR. Suite still i~nsisted on his motion, ana
the ayes and nays being cllled the motion to
take up the subject was lost. go,
A message from the Mayor vetoing the bill
authorizing the collection, by the Auditor, OF
licenses. and giving his reasons therefor, was
read.
MIR. Suite said that doubtless the Mayor
had the right to veto bills passed by the City
Council, but he thought he could hardly be
prepared TO state so soon what effect this
change would have on the finances OF the
city. The Law required the Mayor to return
bills with his reasons for disapproval within
three days. 1t was now three weeks. =,
% motion of MIR. Harmon 1t was ordered
that the communication be respectfully return
ed to the Mayor, he not having COMPLIED with
tho law in returning the same within three days
from the passage OF the bill by the Board OF
Aldermen"
The Board then by invitation of the lower
Board, went into that chamber to hear the re.
port of the committee to whom had been re
ferred the revision of the city charter.
Common CounciZ.-For several months the
interest in Council proceedings, as evidenced by
the attendance Of persons outside OF the oar,
has greatly diminished. Not over . dozen
persons were 10 the pubic seats when the
Board opened last night.
The Chair laid before the Council a message
from the Mayor vetoine the till for the collec-
ton of licenses.
Alter the message had been read, the Chair
inquired of the clerk 10 what branch OF the
Councils the act vetoed originated.
The clerk responded TINT the act originated
in the Board of Aldermen.
The Chair then said that the law required
the Mayor to communicate bis veto 10 the
branch which originated the bill. The Mayor
having failed to communicate bis obj ections to
that Board withio the three days required by
law, the Chair was Of opinion that the bill
had already become o law Notwithstanding the
objections of the Mayor.
MIR. Massey called for the readiog OF the
law, which gave the Mayor 3 per cent on lioen
ses, and the law was read accordingly.
Mr.. Smoot announced that at the request OF
Mr.. Massey, who had voted against the bill,
he would move to reconsider the vote by which
the law in question was adopted, as MIR. Mas
sew desired to submit some remarks on the