Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-23

A'oerMen pare quorum was present. W hllC
the members were assembling Charles Wat
son, colored, claiming to be Aldermen elect
from the 4th Ward, appeared outside the raj,
that there had been no regular election, mono
having been ordered by this Board or by the
Judge of the Corporation Court, ho took his
departure without remark.
The question of the collection OF licenses by
the Auditor was brought up by Col. Suttle,
who stated that some parties had delayed TAX
ing out licenses on the ground that it was not
clear that the act authorizing the Mayor to
collect this source of income had been repealed
by the existing law. He offered bill which
stated in more explicit terms the sole author
ity OF the Auditor to receive the license money,
and the Goth rule being suspended tho bill was
passed.
Several small appropriations for delraying
expenses Of the late election were ordered to
be paid.
The Board, at very early hour adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL The inclement wealth
or very much diminished the usual attendance,
and at the hour tor opening there was present,
but mere quorum, nine members. Outside the
bar halt dozen spectators ranged themselves
urou the benches.
The opening of the meeting was exceedingly
quiet, and for some minutes after the clerk had
read the minutes he scratching of pens could
be distinctly heard, in The abs ,ncc OF the
usual hum which fills the chamber. This,
however, Was soon diSspated by tho calling Tor
reports from committees.
A plumber Of election bills coming in, The
Chair expressed his surprise that these small
bills should be brought before Council. lie
thought that the Auditor could settle them
He likewise noted that Mr. ". W. Whites
bill was So per day while the other clerks
charged but 81 per day.
Mr.. Neale-But he was Register.
All the bills were referred to the Committee
on Claims.
Much laughter was created when fnpSMS
pennae in an endorsement on bill Of Dr.. d. NJ.
French was read as follows: Referred TO the
Committee on Streets by the Board OF Alder
men," 1t was ascertaired that Committee un
Claims was meant.
Shortly afterwards bill came in endorsed,
Preferred to the Committee on Public Proper
ty"--the Committee on Claims being intended,
evidently.
1t was suggested that the clerk OF the Board
of Aldermen Vas absent minded, having been
recently married.
A Member The Coroner will have to sit on
him.
Quite number OF bills concerning an lu-
quest on the body Of Mrs Anne Murray
coroner's, undertaker's :, constable s. Nc, We're
read.
Tie Chair This Corooes's inquest is a
costly busness-( cDuntiu&,) six aud three is
nine and seven is >gteen-s ixteeo dollars
MIR. Ncale-My God Almighty tL,ughter,)
Mr. Massey submitted u paper TO be read,
not as a report, but for inIOrmAtloa, and the
paDer was read:
The paper, which is signed by Mr.. Massey
and MIR. Lawson, recommends that the Alex
andria and Fredericksburg Railroad Company
be allowed to place track on Henry street
north Of King, extending to the city limits; on
condition that the company shall extend the
present Henry street culvert as far as Princess
street, and, Also provides Tor draining the moth
portion of the city, and the streets through
which the track passes. 1t also provides
that the track tc laid seven feet vast Of
the present track, and that the Fredcrlcks'
burg company stipulale to allow the O.,. y. q
Nj. r. r. Co.. and ali other companies 10
bass over their track from Alexandria 10
Washington city upon such fair aud equitable
terms as may be agreed ulon By aIblttatnIs
properly selected.
MIR. Massey stated that this reading vas
made in order that ali parties cInc@rnrc might
understand the views OF the committee, and at
the next meeting the subject might &C discuss
The Chair suggested as an adlltlJnaI clau'e
that the company should engage 10 pay all
damages occurring from tho railroad track
to property holders OF the nelghb0rhodd.
MIR. Wheat..-L Let them get the consent OF
the property holders.
MIR. Massey dissentcd from these views
The Council controlled The streets, anu the
property holders had no claim Tor damage. All
the damage that could be done to the street
had already been done
Mr.. Wheat, from the Committee Oh Schools,
reported conference OF the Trustees Il public
schools and the visitors of the Washington
Free School aud the committee, and that alter
q free interchange OF opinion it had been shown,
by County Superintendent Carne, that 1000
would DO derived for school purposes from the
State, but that none OF this money could te
applied for school houses. furniture, &c. lie
introduced resolution plcdglng the city TO
nroyide school houses, &c, which was adopted.
A bill came in from the Aldermen providing
for payment of the license taxes to the Auditor,
and was read.
Mr.. Massey opposed the bill.
MIR. Wheat explained the bill and favored
its passage The bill was declared by the
Chair to be passed.
The Board was about to adjourn when Mr..
Massey called the attention OF the Chair to the
fact that there were only ten members prescns'
and that be (Mr. NJ. had voted against the
bill. 1t required nine to carry it. :,
The Chair said that he took it for granted
that as there was but one vote in the negative
the bill had passed.
Mr.. Massey-If the Chair voted for it it Is
passed. =,
The Chair said that he had often EXPRESSED
the opinion that giving the collection OF licenses
m the Auditor was q loss to the city. But as
that had already been done by Joint resolution,
he voted in favor of the bill to prevent all
doubt on the subject.
Mr. Massey-Then the bill is passed.
The bill is as follows
NAcr fol the Collection Of Licenses.
Be it enacted by the City Council of Alexan-
dris That all persons engaged in business 10
this city, where license is required 20 condu 1
such business, shall call upon the Auditor LOT