Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-02-22

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In the absence OF the President, MT. Crocker,)
the Vice President, Mr.. Baker, called the Board
to order, and requested the Secretary to read
the journal of the last meeting.
sKIRMIsuING.
The Secretary read few lines, when Mr.
Clark moved that the further reading OF the
Journal be dispe nsed with.
The Chair stated the motion when Mr. No.re
said he hoped the reading would not he dis
pensed with, and argued that the first business
In order was the reading Of the journal of the
interrupted and left OFF at the last meeting of
the Board.
Tie Chair said the question was on the motion
TO dispensS with the reading of the Journal of
the last meeting. He did not understand the
rule to be as stated by the gentleman, (Mr.
Moore.)
Mr.. Moore" The Chair will not understand
anything that he does not find it convenient to
understand" Continuing, he said that he would
lhe to know if the Board was ashamed Of the
proceedings that they would not have them
read.
Mir. Connolly said that if there was anytr,., c
to be ashamed of in the journal it was u, a naTf
taken by those who delayed the busine g Of this
Board. There were some things ne aid not
me aia h osrmit md why it was
remarks to the presiding sicer as we're mad, Inv
the gentleman, (Mr. HOore.) This bullying
should terminate. fhe public took no interest
in these personal Controversies but in the trans
action OF the public business, and those who de-
layed 1T would be called to account by the
people. He made an earnest appeal to the
board TO proceed with the business, stating that
he had important bills to report making appro-
priations OF about SIS 900 to pay judgments
against the Corporation.
After further debate, a vote was taken on the
motion to dispense with the reading of the Jour
nal, which was lost: yeas-Messrs. Baker, Clark
Connolly, Davis, Stewart and Slater-6; nays
Messrs: Champion, Knight, Moore, MOrsell and
McCathran-5; not twO-thirds.
After further debate as to the order of bust
ness under the rules, &C., Mr.. Stewart appealed
to members not to take up the time of the Board
in this way, but to proceed to the transaction OF
the importa ant business they had before them.
MIR. Moore contended that time would have
been saved If gentlemen would have allowed the
The Chair decided that, under the vote Just
taken, the reading of the journal of the last
meeting was i'm order; but that, under the rules,
it was not necessary to proceed with the journal
of the preceding meeting from the point at
which it was interrupted unless the Board or
dered it.
Mr. Moore dssented from this opinion. con-
tended that both journals should be read and
appealed from the decision of the Chair.
A vote was then taken on sustaining the deci-
sion of the Chair, which resulted yeas-Messrs.
Baker, Clark, Connolly, Davis, Stewart and
Skaters; nays-Messrs. Champion, Knight,
Moore, MOrsell and McCathran-5.
Mr. Moore cOntended that the Chair (Mr. Ba-
kerr had no right to vote on sustaining his own
The Chair directed the Secretary to read the
journal OF the last meeting; which was done.
MIR. Moore said the Secretary should now read
the journal of the preceding meeting.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR.
The Chair said the next business in order was
read three communications from the Mayor, as
follows:
One announcing his approval Of acts making
appropriation for repair of books in the office of
the Tax Clerk; to pay the contingent expenses
Of the Assessors Office; and to prohibit the sale
of unsound meat and other provisions.
One transmitting statement of the account of
the First National Bank with the Corporate on
showing balance against the city of $50, 128.47
| The Mayor says 1.-THE ostensible balance to
the credit of the ten-year sinking fund is
2fS,5SSo9, but the amount Is really much larger,
as will appear when the money deposited by the
| Collector of Taxes has been distributed"
THE WASHINGTON CANAL.
One in answer to resolution of this board,
stating that as the business Of the canal does not
justify the payment of salary to an officer to
take charge OF it, he (the Mayor authorized the
Superintendent of Streets, Sewers, &c, to col
lect the rents. witch he has done so far as pos
chile. The report Of Superintendent Bliss, ac-
companying the Mayors communication, shows
the amount of receipts for canal rents from Oc-
tober 18th to date is S2,N5s1. The number OF
persons leasing lots bordering on the canal is
thirty-sx Wilson T.. Brown rents wharf at foot
OF 18th street at an annual rent OF $500.
NEw BUSINESS.
Mr.. Davis introduced bill to curb, pave and
gutter on the outer side of the earrIageway
around the circle at the intersection of Connec-
ticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire ave-
nnes and 10Th and Z streets n. W.; referred.
Also, resolution requesting General Iichler to
cause thorough survey TO be made OF street
hOr1n from and ,t =. street west to the western
Der of cubic yards Of grading has been done on
said street; passed. MIR. Stewart introduced
resolution requesting the City Surveyor to fur
nish estimate of cost of trimming and gravel
ling 24th street west, from L to NJ north:passed.
Mr.. Connolly introduced resolution to paw for
extra clerical labor in the office OF the Water
eel nnc lrv l.yvr Of q,
position of Topographer OF the Water Board
having been made vacant from March 10, 1868,
to December LIST. 1863; referred. Also, pre-
scented petition of Conrad Williams and Others
forserection of lamp posts on 9Th street north;
referred. Also, memorial of C. ViemeyCr, pro-
testing against improving New Jersey avenue,
Ar. Morsell introduced bill with petition) for
relief OF David Harris; referred. Also, bill au-
thOriZing the construction of sewer i'm X street
| north, between 18th and 9Th streets west; re-
ferred.
BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.
MI. Moore introduced bill Ito guard against
and restrain corrupt practices" 1t enacts that
after its passage sit shall be unlawful for any
person holding an Office under this corporation
to receive any bride, present, or reward of any
kind or nature whatever from any other person
holding any place of profit and trust or from
any contractor under this corporation, or from
any person or person employed as labOrers for
tractors" and subjects those who shall tender
or receive any such present to fine of not less
than $40, nor more than $50; and ii they are
officers or employees OF the corporation they shall
be Immediately dismissed.
Mr.. NcCathran did not see the necessity Of
the BILL and thought 1t q reflection on the Of
fcers of the corporation. If they were going to
pass such a measure, they should include mem
| bers Of the Councils.
Mr.. MoOre.--.I will accept that amend
ment."
Mr.. McCathran thought the members were
not more susceptible to such influences than
| others, and generally got abuse instead of re-
wards for their services here. He did not think
| this bill would be effective to hinder the i'm
pulses OF a generous heart.
MIR. Moore thought this bill was not any more
OF reflection on the officers OF the corporation
| than the similar bill introduced into Congress
was a reflection on the officers of the General
Government.
The bill was referred to the Committee on
Police.
THE TAX-BILL CONTROVERSY REvIvKD-THE
BOARD sUsTAIrs tt = MAYOR.
Mr.. Moore introduced ,'ir g. flowing:
Rss0ired, That this Board repudiates and rejects
the dogma enunciated by Alderman of the Tn rd
Ward, and WHICH has been In properly inserted in
the Journal Of the 7th inst y that notice Of
tion to reconsider proposition is to be treated
with contempt by the Board and that a Secretary
is desei wing Of comendation for emitting to endorse
such notice on the face Of BILL and sending the
came to coordinate branch OF the legislature as
fact notice of reconsideration Is actually pending
kssoirsd, That this Boar also repudiates and re-
jects another Dogma enunciated and recorded the
time that unless the Secretary be allowed to
dispose OF bill In the manner indicated in the fore.
going resolution, member would have 1t in power
| HI.z ~ 81 La.