Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-31

committee to report the terms upon which the
property should be sold, Ii. e., make it subject
to the approval Of the Council
The Prcsident-Docs the gentleman Mr..
French accept the amendment
Mr. French accept the amendment.
vote was then taken. when the report was
declared adopted.
A petition from G. W. Knox, asking to be
relieved from j tax of $500 as an express COM
pany, was received from the Common Council,
they adhering to their former action, and ask
ing committee Of conference.
Mr. French said he did not think the spirit
of the law was intended to embrace baggage
wagons There were numerous Wagons about
town with express painted on thcnl and
named several.
Mr.. Suite was of the same opinion.
The President appointed NesSrs French,
Suttlc and Agncw on the conference committee,
which retired, but failed to make Il report.
After which, the Board adjourned
Common CoutciI The Council met lust
night pursuant to adjournment to consider the
report of the committee on the erection OF Il
new Court House The space outside the bur
was well filled with attentive spectators.
The Chair stated that the meeting WAS ready
to hear the report Of the committee on the
Court House.
Mr. Massey suggested that the meeting had
adjourned Tor no special purpose, 50 THAI I'M
finished business was now i'll order.
The Chair agreed with Mr. Massey and laid
before Council the petition Of Knox 5 Express
Company, with the action III which the Alder
men had refused to concur.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Massey, Mr.. Evans
moved to non-concur, and appoint conference
committee of three to meet I like committee OF
two Aldermen.
Mr. Massey explained that the proportion Of
three to two WAS the proportion between the
number OF members Of the boards respectively,
and WAS in accordance with parliamentary law.
Members might have noticed such was the rule
in the intercourse between the House Of Rep
rcsrntativcs and the Senate in Congress, and
such also WAS the usage of the British Parlla-
mcn, This was the popular branch; it came
from the people every year, while but one halt
of the Aldermen were fresh from the people.
The committee was appointed.
Mr.. Massey suggested that the Auditor
ought to prepare his annual estimates tor the
use of the Finance Committee. These estimates
used to be prepared in February, but, said Mr..
NJ, addressing Mr. SmOot, we are not as
mcthodical and exact as We were when your
father WAS in Council We IRE drifting too far
fear
MIR. Price introduced Il resolution directing
the city Attorney to enquire into the title by
which the city holds Cameron street between
Washington and Columbus He apprehendcd
that the title Wis defective. 1t had been con-
veyed by Catlctt to Minor ior the benefit OF his
children, and Minor only had joined in the deed
to the city. He supposed that the matter
could not be rectitied while all the parties were
living.
Mr. Massey expressed his surprise that the
city Attorney could have allowed the city to
pay $1,000 Tor defective title, but thought
that 20 Years possession without adverse claim
would give the city good title. The resolution
vas adopted.
\ recess was taken, and upon rcasScmblng
!, message wls received from the Board of Al
dcrmcn announcing the concurrence OF that
board in the report Of the special committee on
erecting Court House.
The report was read.
Mr.. Massey inquired why the committee had
the property occupied BY Mr. foscn-
thai, ut the long wharf, as unproductlvc.
Mr. Shinn responded that while it was not
entirely unproductiye, yet it was 50 relatively
to the amount that could be raised on the new
investment.
Mr. Massey WAS opposed to selling the wharf;
doubted if the city could give good title
MIR. Shinl said enquiry as to the title would
be made before sale was effected.
MIR. Massey wanted the Court House but did
not desire to sell this property.
Mr.. Shinn-How then will the money DC
raised?
Mr.. Masscy-From you and me.
MIR. Shinn-Not any, if you please.
Mr.. Masscy-Your colleagues will pay it.. -
They must pay all the taxes we levy.
Mr.. Whcat-Not any, fyou please.
Mr.. Massey asked how much the property
proposed to be sold now rented for, and being
told $1,000 per annum, replied that III ten
wears these rents alone would build the Court
House and have $4,000 over.
Mr.. Shinn advocated the measure us one
Tending to convert unproductivc city estate IN
to paying property. The ten stores would
bring SIS, 900, besides the new hall. The real
estate Of the city was now III decaylnS condl-
ton, and there was no money to repair It,
Mr.. Wheat regretted that he felt himself
unable to vote for this measure. lie did not
believe that ten stores in the new building
would bring $4,000 rental. lie asked mem
bcrS to remember the straits to which the city
was no reduced. The city would have to go
out and borrow money at ten per cent. III order
to pay per cent on this 2UUJ0. Let the old
Court House be sold before We begin i'll the
matter. He was not willing tn 20 on until the
way WAS clear lie fort one could not support
this bill because he did not see it was for the i'll
terest OF the city.
Mr.. Shinn said that the committee agreed
perfectly with MIR. Wheat in not going on I'M
til they could see the way clear. The commit
tee did not propose to increase the debt of the
corporation except to the extent Of the dltlclt
remaining after the property is sold.
MIR. Evans thought there was no hurry about
the matter All these titles would have to be
examined, and an act of the Legislature an NJ;
thorizing the sale Of the Court llousG would
have to lie passed The consent of the Sun
Fire Company would have to be given to re-
moval. and in the meantime Council could wait
lie did not believe the building could be conl-
mcnccd in less than year. -,
Mr.. Wheat hoped the members Of Council
would consider the financial condition of the
city. There WAS Il considerable amount of
bonds now overdue, and Il vast amount OF back
interest One man in Boston with S20onO over
l,,l az