Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-10-11
LOCAL NEWS.

present, and but one absentee in the Board of
Aldermen. For official proceedings see anoth-
er column: 80 ~ @--. ...:.
Board Of Aldermen There were seven
members present.
Mr. Markell. referring to report from the
Committee on Streets, said that work done by
the Superintendent of Police on private alleys
would, of course, have to be paid by parties
owning those alleys. 1t was no part Of the
city's business to do such work.
Petition Of Geo. W. Harrison in the matter
of error Of assessment, reduced from $4,000 to
latter sum was the amount of the capital used
by him.
Mr. Underwood inquired if the chairman Of
the Committee Oh Light had a report to make.
lie stated that there was, he understood, an
agreement that report should be in favor of
u larger discount on gas bills than at present
existed
Mr. French did not understand that al
agreement had been arrived at on that occasion.
Mr. Underwood thought that the prevailing
sentiment among the committee was in favor
Of increasing the deduction in favor Of prompt
payment.
The veto Of the Mayor Of the act Of Council
passed in July last to rcorganize the city police,
was read, having been passed over the veto by
the lower Board.
Mr. Markell asked if this matter had been
before the COMMITTEE on General Laws: We
ought to act advisedly IN this matter He did
not want to do anything to make US appear ri
diculous. five have tho right, let US use it,
but let us act with discretion.
The President read the law with regard to
reference to committees.
Mr. French thought with regard to this mat
ter that it stood now on different grounds. He
moved that it be put on its passage.
After further remarks the bill was passed by
unanimous vote.
A number of petitions for abatement of as
sessmeut, &C., were read and appropriately
referred
Mr.. Corse presented the petition of numerous
sieners asking for the right Of way for street
railroad on King street. Tho company, ne said,
had been chartered by Judge Keith, to carry
passengers at a uniform rate OF five cents each,
the road to commence at the Strand and run up
King street to Fayette. out Fayette to Duke
and out Duke to the corporate limits He ask
ed its reference to special committee. SO
ordered, and Mcssrs. Janney. Underwood,
Markell and French were appointed on the
part of this Board.
The petitions OF j. W. Burke, for gutter in
front of his residence, of S. S. Howison, ask
ipg an abatement OF assessment on the property
of the Potomac Ferry Company, and OF H.
Mckenzie, President Of the Washington and
Ohio Railroad, asking forthe right of entra nee
into the CITY Of that road IN general sou til
easteriy direction, were referred.
Sundry bills of A. j. Fleming and others for
supplies furnished the Aims House. were order
ed to be paid.
Mr.. Underwood said that he was much
pleased to see the courage and enterprise OF the
gentlemen who had obtained the charter for
street railroad He was in favor of allowing
everybody to build road who wanted to, pro-
vided they would aythe damages lie thought
Council ought to respond promptly to this pub
lie spirit, and hoped the committee would meet
tomorrow morning at 81 o'clock.
Quite an intermisson now occurred, the
Board waiting for business to come in.
The bill orthe sale of the office ofScavenger,
was read.
Mr. Markell had no objection to the refer
ence, but had to the SALE 1t was referred.
The Board concurred in the resolution to re-
fer to special committee the petition of oyster
dealers and others concerning the measurement
of oysters. Committee, Messrs. Markell and
French Also to authorize special committee
to provide new place OF registration in the 9TH
Ward.
The bill passed by the lower Board to regu-
late the measurement, sale, DC, OF oysters, was
read and referred to the committee having
charge of the petition above referred to.
The Board then adjourned
Common Council There was ali average
number Of spectators witnessing the proceed
ings of this Board.
MIR. Wheat, from tho Committee on Public
Property, to whom was referred petition OF
III u II all 30 Ia 10
BILE room in which to deposit sundry articles
cd progress, and said the committee would
doubtless secure the room lately used 10y the
Alexandria Grays.
The report of the Committee on Claims, on
the application of Geo. W. Harrison, for All
abatement of assessment on capital employed
in his business was received from the Board
of Aldermen, accompanied by an au affidavit
from Mr. Harrison that he has only one thous-
aud dollars capital employed i'll his busne in
stead Of five thousand as assessed; and the az
lion of the Aldermen thereon was concurcd III
The various other committees were then call
ed on in their rotation, but no reports were
made from them.
The chair thought some of the committees
should be ready to make reports, Is, at this rate
Council would never get through the business
DelOrC IL.
A communication from the Mayor vetoDg
an act entitled an act to rcorganzc the police
force of Alexandria, providing that the Police
Commissioners appoint ready-men, was read.
Mr.. Wheat said he was surprised at the ac
ton of the Mayor. The bill gave the right of
appointing ready-men to the Police Commits
sioners, and tho Judge of the Superior Court
had 50 decided He mir. Wheat) had made
two appointments of ready-men; but the Mayor
had refused to allow them 90 on duty unless
by his appointment, The Mayor had also iu-
augurated Police Regulations, Notwithstanding
the fact of its being the duty Of the Commits
sioners to make all rules for the government or
the force. Some men had been appointed b.
the Mayor who never could have been elected
by Couucil-men who had been guilty Of the
grossest negligence of duty, &c. He moved
that the bill be passed over the veto.
Mr.. Moore seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimous.
e., A1o,o Hopco (ottoc. o1