Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-07-01


Board of .AMc,men.-In the Board Of Al
dcrmen Mr. French from the Finance Com.
mittee reported the bill fixing, the Salaries OF
the Corporation officers, which was read the
second time, and the blanks filled, when
NIr Subtle Dronosed to strike out the appro-
priation of salary for the Corporation Attor-
nev. which suggestion was seconded by MIR.
French.
MIR. Harmon explained that the City officers
Frequently had to consult the Attorney and for
such advice he received no compensation. His
present salary was looked upon rs merely re-
tanning fee.
Mr.. Suite thought that it would be better
to pay for services as rendered, which he be-
licyed was the case at present and then the best
advice could always be had, while as at present
the city was tied down to the advice OF one
LAWYER and il another had to be employed adj
ditional fees had. to be paid. lie thought it
would be better to allow the committee a free
dom of choice The present Attorney was an
efficient and capable officer, but it was not GER
tain that he would always be elected land an i'll
compctcnt man might be chosen to the office,
in which event other counsel would have to be
employed in addition. lie thought the Coun-
Gil had right to abolish the office.
Mr.. Harmon did not think the office could
be abolished without L special act.
Mr.. Suite replied that 4 joint resolution was
all that would be needed, rs under the new
charter, only such officers would be elected as
the Counsel deemed necessary.
The question being taken upon the motion
to strike out, it was carried.
Mr. Suite then moved to strike out the ap-
preparation for City Surveyor.
Mr. Simpson thought the office too lmpor
| / ,lo ii; had 4
needed to prevent confusion.
Mr.. Suttle thought that by leaving out the
appropriation the interest on 81 800 would DE
saved, and that the acts OF the Surveyor as
such. carry no weight and that the work OF any
other Surveyor would be just as binding lie
thought it was unnecessary to pay Il salary
when the work would be done ust Is well by
another. and that people would employ the best
| surveyor.
Mr.. Simpson said that the decisions Of the
CITY Surveyor usually settled all controversies
and that he had never known any litigation at
ter he had given his opinion.
| Mr.. French asked # new street was to be
laid out whether the Surveyor would not have
to i've paid for his services.
Mr.. Simpson answered that in that c;lSc hc
would.
Mr.. Suite wanted to know then why pay
him salary especially if any other surveyor
would do the work better Without II.
Mr.. Simpson wanted Il surveyor retained IN
as much as his duty Was to sec that all houses
erected were built upon the correct line OF the
| streets.
Mr.. Markell thought there was no economy
in cutting of one salary TO increase another.
Mr.. Harmon thought that the city surveyor S
duties were such as to cntitlc him to c0mpen-
SalOn.
Mr.. Simpson explained the duties Of the
surveyor, who had to do ordinary Corporation
work, free Of CHARGE but was allowed to charge
individuals for laying off lots for buildings, &c
The vote being taken OIL the motion to strike
out was lost.
SIR. Markell objected to the increase Of the
Auditors salary to 81 900, but voted for the
bill ON its passage, and the bill was passed ayes
Il. noes none
The Corporation accounts as prepared by the
Auditor were laid before the Board, read and
ordered 10 lie upon the table and be printed.
The Board adhered to It's previous actien in
reference to granting permission to w. II.
Muir. TO erect certain frame houses on Queen
street. thereby refusing permission as granted
by the Common Council.
w. n. Bcrkley's bill for dry-goods furnished
4 report from Committee on Light was sub
mittcd. and the action Of the Common Coun-
ell ordering it to pc printed, concurrcd in
Mr. Suite explained the report, whlcl! com
rlcnlcd Il reduction Of 80 per ct. Oh all bills
rad within ten days, thereby reducing the
price OF Gus from 81, the present rate to -. so.
He said that now 1i9 consumers were not only
paving for the light furnished the city, the in
tcrcSr on the outlay for the works, but paying
into thc treasury about 81 900 annually over
and above their taxes This lie did not consid-
er rght. rs while the non consumers were en-
Toying the benefits OF the light upon the streets
and in the public places, the few consumers
were being taxed additionally. The property
in the city should pay the taxes and not
seven hundred and thirty-ninc gas consumers.
1t the meeting Of the new Council Il resolution
having for its oh cct the carrying out OF this
idea would be introduced, and he hoped it
would pass He also hoped that by the rcduc-
ton the number Of consumers would be greatly
Increased The proposed reduction would still
pay all expenses and put something in the
treasury, but it would relieve the CONSUMERS Of
Il very severe additional tax.
The report compliments the officers; and Mr..
Suite stated that the present superintendent
had sold 81 900 worth Of Coke more than had
heretofore been returned.
\ resolution from the Common Council au-
thor,zing the Superintendent Of Police to pur-
chase 2O0 feet of tagging, was concurrcd in.
The Common Council asked committee OF
conference on the petition Of Mr. Muir but the
Board declined to take action. After 4 reso-
luton Of thanks passed unanimously by a rising
vote, to the President to which that officer re-
Spondcd in few appropriate remarks: ,acknowl-
cjIging the compliment and hoping for con-
tinuation Of the friendly relations existing be-
tween himself and all the members.
The Board adjourned sine Dir.
Comnlon Couacil-Alr Shiun presented the
report Of the Committee on Light, with 4 COM
munication IRON that committee and a resolu-
ton recommending that the price of gas be 81
per thousand feet, with discount of 80 per ct.
il paid in 10 days. .-
Mr.. Wheat said that the proposed reduction
in the price Of gas would reduce the revenue Of
the city some eight Or nine thousand dollars-a