Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-05-06

upon discrepancies existing between the Dci
constitution and the city charter was read
Mr.. Harmon moved that the report h
amended so as to secure the more efficient Gel
lection OF the taxes
Mr.. Massey said that the report was mad
in accordance with the requirements OF 4 sp2cl
tic resolution and fulfilled those requirements
If tho gentleman wanted other matters cons!d
cred he could offer 4 resolution to That effect
So far as he was concerned lie thought tina
not only the collectors of taxes but the c!clk o
the market, the Superintendent OF Police anC
other municipal officers should b, elected )
the council and not by the people as at present
He had perhaps as high an OPTION OF the PEG
pie as any one else, but mass conventions dC
| not always select the best man. Ii these 9th
GERS were elected by tho Counci they would o!
course be more independent and perform then
duties more efficiently. Hc did not expect to
be in Council another year, but was willing tt
| give his successors the power to cleo: these
officers.
| Mr.. Harmon said that he had made bis mo
ton thinking that probably it would be better
while correcting to make the two Instruments
| harmonize 10 all particulars.
| Mr.. Mckenzie moved that the report be all
! opted and his motion was carried.
| Mr. Mckenzie moved that the representa-
tlves in the Legislature from this city be re-
quested to have certain amendments made TO
the charter of the city. and said that Mr. ohm.
| stou knew as well as any man what was rCqulr
Cd, aud was better qualified than any Que else
TO prepare such charter as was wanted, Fail
authority should be given the representatives
10 making their draft OF the charter, aud II
there were any Objectionable features in 1t they
could be stricken GU! when 1t came 10 &c sub
United to the Council for adoption. lie was
satisfied, however, to leave the whole matter
to Mr.. Johnston, who was better qualified than
any other man, certainly any other in the Leg
islature, to prepare such an instrument as was
required.
Mr.. MaSsey-Speak Tor yourself.
Mr.. Nick cnze-For myself and you too.
Mr.. massey-pve drawn up as good bill
and better than ever MIR. Johnston did.
Mr.. Massey introduced resolution author
iZing the Superintendent of Police to make an
inspection OF the fire plugs aud have those
found to be cut Of order, repaired
Mr.. Baker said he had had good deal to
do with the fire plugs and heard 90 complaints
Of their being out Of order. 1t was reported
last fall that they were out OF order, and an
estimate made OF what the cost OF repair would
be, but an examination proved the report to be
incorrect, and mere nominal sum was all that
was required to place them in perfect order.
Mr.. Massey SAID il after examination none
were found out OF order there would be moth
thing further to do and no damage done. But
he had gone day or two since with some
gentlemen and examined some vi these plugs
and had iou11 them out of order caps gone
and otherwise injured All might have been
in order last tall, but sowc had certainly been
Injured since then. While up he would avail
himself OF the opportunity OF suggesting that
some member Of the Council offer resolution
to have the fire plugs On King street placed
nearer the gutter than at present for that II GU
dark night Il man by stumbling over them
were to iniure himself, he might sue AID obtain
damages from the corporation.
MIR. Baker suggested that the provisions al
the resolution be enlarged SO as make 1t iucum
bent upon the Superintendent Of Police to box
up the plugs ana tnuS prevent tnleVcs from
stealing the caps.
The resolution was adopted.
MIR. Mckenzie from the joint committee
consisting of himself, and Mcssrs. Massey, Ag-
new Garwood and HawXhurst, to whom the
matter had been referred presented = report
upon the late Richmond disaster which was
adopted.
Mr. Harmon offered resolution to secure
rho moe efficient collection OF the taxes.
MIR. Mckenzie moved to strike out clause
already provided for in the charter.
The President read from the charter to show
that there was already sufficient las: upon the
subject
MIR. Massey moved to amend the resolution
by expunging that part having reference to the
summary manner or collecting The taxes, ana
said that with that part stricken out there would
be no incongruity in the remainder OF the TcSo-
luton.
MIR. Harmon-With that striken GU. | can
see any sense IN 1t.
MIR. Massey-That's your fault.
Mr.. Turner offered a resolution maSlnG 1t
the duty of the Superintendent OF Police to
carefully examine all the public halls IN the
CITY with reference to their safety and easy
mode of cgrcss in case OF fire, which was al
opted
port of committee to whom the SutlecC o.
matter connected with dispensing medicines
to the poor had been referred, and would men
ton that in looking over the expenditures OF
Richmond he had seen that $ 81 was all that
was paid there for that purpose Tor the last
three months,
luton.
Whereas, the Corn and Produce Exchange
representipg the general business OF Aicxan'
Jtia. and whereas the business men ni AlcXaI-
dria with but lew exceptions, have peutloned
the Board of Public Works to take cognlzancc
Of the impositions practiced by the manage
mcnt of the O., A. & NJ. r. Il. against III"
commercial and industrial prosperity OF their
town, and whereas the city Of Alexandria Is a q
stock holder in the Orange, Alexandra ana
Manassas Gan Railroad by subscription TO the
extent of 100000, be It.
Rssolred, That the City Council Of AIexan Al,
dria do in their official capacity Respectfully re
quest and urgently pray the said It" bpnLa ao ot
Public Works to give the qHest,on n o. snn"dv n-
of discrimination an Immediate al" sp'c'S !"
vcstiration.
Mr., Mckenzie asked if the gentleman had
not exaggerated the amount of the city inter
est in the road 1t must he recollccted that
the the city had reliuquishcd its interest in 'hf
Manassas Gap Railroad. ,,t.
Mr.. Harmon said he had not exaySe !n1o c rE'
citys interest She had suoSc1lo Ho on -, thl