Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-28

there being no copy OF the bill present, the SUBJ
ct was passed over. While discussing the
question be read the following letter:
OFFICE OF THE Sup. PUB. SCHOOLS,
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Dec. 18th. 1870
b. Wheat, esq Chairman Committee on Pub
lie Schools:
Dear SIR: have examined tue "procaed-
iugs OF the Trustees of the Alexandria Acad
envy with as much care as my time has ii
lowed, and d that the Coumon Council ad-
vanced to said Trustees, on the 18th of April,
1912, two thousand dollars, to build the Wash
loeton school house, on condition that if it
should ever be used for anything but L,n-
caster School, the ground was to be vested in
the city; and the Trustees bound themselves,
In that case, to execute q conveyance.
On the 18th of June, 1929 it appears that
the Common CouDci agreed to take charge of
the school, on receiving all dividends or inter
est arising from Gen. Washlngon's estate;
and that this was asssnted to by the Trustees.
No further notice of the school or its funds
appears 10 the minutes, and the last meeting
OF the Trustees, recorded in the book, is dated
Feb. 18th, 1888, having been attended by Rev.
j.. Harrison, Vino. Gardner, g. A Alexander,
andWm. L Hodgson, all now dead Messrs Robt.
|. Taylor, Israel 2. Thompson, Hough Smith,
and John Lloyd, seem, also, 10 have
been members of the Board, but in the forty
years which have since elapsed, they, TOO, have
died, and no one remains from whom we can
obtain information. | think, however, that
the funds derived from Washingtou's estate
were lost by the failure Of the Bank of Alex-
andria but OF this tho records give no proof.
would thank you when this subject again
comes before Council, to correct an error which
appeared in the report of your remarks on
Tuesday plight last. You we've made to say
that the Trustees were perfectly willing to
have the house used for the State schools"
Now this has produced the i'm preston that
the Board OF Guardians are in favor OF closing
the Washington School; such is net the fact
We are the agents Of the City Council, elected
by it, and prepared to obey It's orders, which
we have asked; but as Guardians, the law
makes it our duty TO keep the school open, and
white it is unrepeaed We must do so, what
ever may be our personal vieWspn the sui ,ct.
Of these views, however, YOU are fully aware
from our former communication We think,
and have always thought, that the school
ought to be continued with u higher grade
than the State schools. Yours Truly
RICHARD i. CARNE
Chairman Board of Guardians,
Washington Free School.
A communication from Geo. g. Wedder-
that be had removed from his house in the
Second Ward, and had not yet been able to
procure another, and fit should be thought that
this disqualified him as member OF Council
he desired that this communication should be
considered ss a tender of his resignation was
received.
Mr.. Massey thought that MIR. Wedderburn
was clearly not entitled to his seat As mat
ter of fact, his family lived in Washington,
and Mr. Wedderburn was scarcely ever pres
ent at the Council. He moved that the resig.
nation be accepted.
The debate was continued by Mr., Parker,
Mr.. Shinn. MIR. Lawson, and MIR. Smoot, and
the motion OF Mr.. Massey was agreed to, a ncw
election being ordered to FL the vacancy
Mr.. Massey having introduced a resolution
directing the Committee 90 Real Estate to
provide, if possible. another meeting place for
the Corporation Court than the Council cham.
Der,
wGS yEssMaes at lid Is tb e"i prsc of allowing the
court to use this room, but he had yielded to
the manifest convenience OF having the Court
down town, and he thought that DOW, just as
plan Tor new Court room was about to be
brought to the attention OF the City Council, 1t
would be useless expense to hire rooms Tor
the Court.
Mr.. Massey said that MIR. Smoot had mis-
understood him. He thought that rooms
could be gotten without expense in the North
ern portion of the market building. The reso
luton was amended so as to rrter the whole
question To the Committee on Public Property
and agreed to.
The report Of theCommittee heretofore pub
ished) upon the petition of the Alexandria d
Fredericksburg r. r. Co. for the right OF way
for their road through Henry street, was then
taken un on motion of Mr.. Massey.
Mr.. Wheat stated briefly his reasons for op
position to this report to be that it would be
of no advantage to the city, its freight was to
be shipped at Aqua Creek, and its wor shops
located elsewhere than at Alexandria. 1t asked
the right to use one of our streets, but wanted
oply to carry its passengers through, While
this would be Of 10 benefit to the community,
it would depreciate the value of property upon
that street If it would cost them S25, 600 to
condem land to pass around the town; be
would charge them the same amount TO pass
through, or retire $40, 900 worth OF our bonds:
He had to pay tor the gas Ii ght, the police and
all the other advantages of the city, and he
saw 90 reason why thisrch corporation should
enjoy them without pay.
MIR. Massey demired that the road would de-
teriorate property on its track, 90 the contrary
BY walliGg over the ditch on Henry street, 1t
would improve the property there. 10 dam
up trade and travel here did not belong to this
age. This road would give employment to
200 men 10 this town.
MIR. Wheat-For how long?
MIR. Massey said be could not say.
MIR. Wheat-Fur long enough 10 get the
road through.
Mr.. Massey, continued, urging that the
present frozen condition Of the river proved
the nect ssity for this road. Some OF the pas
seugers would stop here. lie discussed the
question, at length, saying that the passage OF
the road could do the town no harm that It
would improve Henry street $1,000.
Mr.. Lawson thought that the report OF the
Committee accomplished what all the speakers
desired; it proposed conditions that the Alex
andris and Fredericksburg K. Il. Go. would
never accept, and the only effect would be to
discharge the Committee from the further con
sideraton OF thesutject.
no