Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-01-18
CORPORATION AKTAIRs.


approval of the T" act TO reorganise the paid Fire
Department of the city Of Washington,'' and
one transmitting the statement Of the account
anf Iaace a,e nv The naht
date of 81 ,299.H.
CoHuUSIcATIoNs FROM THE SURVEYOR, ETC.
Several communications were received from
the Surveyor, Tin answer to resolutions of the
board,) as follows:
One transmitting estimate Of cost of grading
New York ave., between 18th and sd sts. west;
2s6221 cubic yards, at Il cents, ,s65 gravel
ing same, 31,1l2 square yards, at IS cents,
S5,Co016; referred. One in relation to the as
sessments for street sewer, between 10th and
18th streets west, and on the branch from 10th
street, across New York avenue to 18th street;
suggesting an amendatory act whereby the
property holders may be relieved from payment
Of the cost Of intersections, sc I, and the same
be paid from the funds of the Second Ward. in
accordance with the usual practice; referred.
One stating the reasons why the sewer in Penn
sylvania avenue, between 14th and 18th streets
and suggesting that the property on the south
side Of the avenue should be relieved from the
assessment for the said sewer as the owners are
not benefited by it, and that that portion Of the
assessment be paid out of the Second Ward
funds. The Surveyor alsO says: alt seems adj
visable to obtain additional legislation from
Congress 80 as to build sewer on either side of
such cases. As the law now is, both sides must
be assessed" Referred.
Bills from the Boardof Common Council were
".
gas lamp in square 165, on the east side, be-
tween II and streets north; referred.
THE WASHINGTON CANAL.
Mr.. Stewart also introduced bill vesting in
=. Huntingdon, Robert Williams, o. o. Howard,
John ID. Defrees, VIM. j. Murtagh, A. r. Shep-
herd. and Hallet Kilbourn--under the name Of
the Washington City Canal Company, all the
rights now held or owned by the Corporation in
the Washington city canal for a term of 80 years.
Section provides that the canal shall be mar
rowed by filling in the northern side thereof so
that it shall be sixty feet wide from nth street
to Sd street.-The remaining portion to be of the
same width as at present, and shall have through
out Its whole length and breadth a depth of
water in it Of at least four feet at all times and
shall be secured by stone walls Of sufficient
strength to allow the use Of steam vessels, the
work to be done As specified by January list,
Ie'o failing this the grant to be null and void.
months to complete the canal so as to have at
least one foot Of water at all times therein and
to pay into the city treasury % 900 annually.
Section authorizes the company to collect
wharfage at rates not exceeding those charged
by owners Of private wharves. Section author
ICES the company to let or rent the land reclaimed
by narrowing, and the lands bordering on the
canal, and to have the exclusive right to estab-
l1sh packet boats for conveyance Of passengers
on the canal, and to collect tolls or wharfage by
suit or otherwise. Section authorizes the COM
pany to begin to collect tolls, wharfage, and
rent on and after August LIST, 1870. or as soon
thereafter as this bill shall be approved by the
corporation Of w ashingtOn and Congress of IT, s.
Section fixes the term Of the grant at 30 years,
and guarantees to protect the company from
vexatious suits and hindrances. Section re-
quires the company to extend all sewers now
leading into the canal to the water surface Of
said canal wall to provide the necessary drops
&c. Section authorizes and requires the
company to construct pivot or draw-bridges i'm
place Of the bridges now in use over the canal,
whenever it is their interest to do so, or the
demands of trade require it. Section 10 gives
the company the sole right OF way through
certain streets of the city for the purpose of con-
Meeting the James Creek Canal with the Wash
connecting or James Creek Canal within years
and complete il within 10 years from the date
Of the grant, otherwise this section to be null and
struct good and substantial bridges across south
L and streets when intersected by said James
Creek Canal. Section II contains q repeating
clause.
Mr.. Moore said he hoped the bill would be
printed in the journal. 1t was no use to refer
it, as the corporation has no authority to make
any such conditions as those contained in this
chased from the original owners, decided by
them to the corporation, and Congress approved
the purchase, and prescribed the width of the
canal, &c. Those conditions this corporation
cannot alter. The only thing which ought to be
done by the city is to dredge out the Washing
ton canal at once, which can be done for
the improvement of the canal by the city, and
was heard to say that he could neither be coaxed
driven, nor bribed to sign bill for its improve
ment.
Mr.. Stewart moved that the bill be referred to
the Special Committee on the Canal appointed
at the last meeting. The city should either i'm
prove the canal at once, or give it to some one
Mr.. Connolly defended the Mayor against the
statements of Mr.. Moore, and thou ght it un-
worthy Of him to come here and in this cham
Der repeat remarks attributed to the Mayor by
persons who would come from his Office and de-
tail private conversations, and intimated that
such persons ought to be elected from the Of
flee.
Mr.. Slater said he had occasion as a member
Of the Committee on the Canal to consult the
Mayor in reference to the proposed flooding and
cleansing OF that work, and the Mayor was in
After further debate, the bill was ordered to
De printed on the journal, and referred to the
special Committee on the Canal, appointed at
the last neetingof the Board under Mr.. Emery's
IMPORTANT FINANCIAL MEASURES.
MI. Davis introduced the following concur
Whereas, this Corporation has of late beep
making many substantial improvements, such
as building school houses, engine and station
houses, graveling and grading streets, building
bridges, constructing sewers, laying Aag-foot-
ways, erecting street lamps, increasing the force
and emciency Of the Fire Department, etc. to
the fun extent justified by the revenue of the
vital importance to the city that should be made
Immediately, which, il once completed would,
Dy the taxes derived from the increased yalua-
ton OF property and rents received, reimburse
the city in few years; and in order that the
city may have the ability to make such improve.
ments
Resolred. That the committee to represent the
interests Of this Corporation before Congress be,
and they are hereby, instructed to urge the pass,
age Of law through Congress this session, au
thorizing the Corporation to create loan not to
exceed 81 900 900, to enable the authorities of
the city, as soon as possible, to complete open-
ing all streets, to put the Washington Canal
In q sanitary and navigable condition, build a
seIvlceable and new centre market house,"
Referred 70 Committee ON Finance
MI. Connolly introduced resolution that all
petuons and bills for exemption of churches,
pastors residences and schools, from taxation,
special joint committee of two Aldermen and
three Councilmen; adopted. ~
MT. Moore introduced resolution "That the
Register of the city be requested to communi-
cate to the Board statement in detail of war
rants drawn upon the treasury since the LIST of
July 1sG9, giving in each case the date of the
warrant, the name Of the person to whom il was
issued, the nature OF the service or indebtedness
and the amount; and also what amount OF bonds.
II any, have been issued since the above date
win the date OF their issue, the name of the re-
ceiver, and the nature Of the debt for which thew
we're issued, 80 as to make the information COM
piete as IN tne case OF each payment" Adopted
MISCELLANEOUS.
MI: Emery introduced bill with petition) for
renef OF Edward Radey; bill passed. AlsO hin
with petition) allowing the contractors for Law
ing nag foOtways Of blue stone the sjx feet
measurement-that is, that they he maid for a
width Of six feet, without deduction for the cob
Die stone pavement between the fags. as