Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-06-23

vote US now. He Was not proficient in archi-
tectural affairs, but he had devoted some time
to the examination Of the plans, with the aid Of
practical builder, and was willing to be in
huenced by the report Of the committee.
Mr.. Smoot would vote for the adoption Of
the committee report, because an examination
of the plans induced him to think that submit
ted by MIR. Ciuss was the better Of the two,
but his feelings and prejudices had been i'll
favor of that one submitted by Mr.. Lambdin:
and he heartily wished that he could reconcile
his judgment with his feelings
Mr. Shnn said that the feelings of all the
committee had been in favor OF the adoption
of Mr. Lambdin's plan, and that they had en-
deavored, though unsuccessfuy, to sec ii their
objections to his plan could not be obviated.
After careful and mature consideration of the
two plans, the advantages Of that designed by
| Mr. Cluss were 50 superior that the committee
| were unanimous in their action respecting It's
adoption.
The report was then adopted.
| The Revenue bill was then received from the
| Board of Aldermen, ard its consideration hay
ing commenced, Mr. Massey moved that the
! tax on auctioneers be reduced from ! to OF
| one Der cent on sales, rs he thought the tax as
imposed by the bill excessive
| Mr. Smoot said auctionocrs made more now
than formerly.
Mr.. Wheat said the tax WAS the same us
! that imposed last year. Auctlonccrs made
| more now then they did formerly. In Baltl
more he had no doubt auctioneers paid in adj
liton to their heavy tux Oh sales, at least $50
| for Il license to carry on business.
Mr. Massey said $50 in Baltimore would
not be more than 50 here. He could not tell
how the gentlemen knew that auctionccrs made
more now than formerly. But he knew that
he thought the tax now levied upon auctioneers
was too much. In some respects the taxes now
levied were the same rs those collected fifty
years ago, the yearly tax bills being mere copies
Of each other. The tax upon amuScmcntS
drove such exhibitions away from, rather than
attracted them to. the city, and hundreds OF
our people went to Washington to enjoy them.
This policy of sending Il boy home from the
mill with stone in one end of the bag to bal
ancc the meal in the other end, merely because
our fathers did so, would not do. His motion
WAS lost
Mr. Massey opposed the tax Of $50 upon
sample sellers. 1t was IN outrage upon every
merchant in the city. The merchants made
their fall and spring purchases in the northern
markets, but in the interval when their stocks
were low they saved time and trouble by buy
ing from the drummerS, who sold by sample.
Alexandria, like the rest OF Virginia, was five
hundred years behind the age. The taxwas ori
ginally intended as protection to the merch-
ants but now it operated directly against their
interests. He moved to strike out the entire
tax.
This motion was opposed by Alessrs. Wheat,
Harrison and Shinn upon the ground that such
4 tax did protect the merchants, in fact it was
the only protection they had, and that there
WAS no city in the country from Maine to Louis
lama in which taxes of Il similar character were
not exactcd. The motion was lost.
Mr. Massey asked for information concern
ing the tax of $40 upon bill posters.
Mr. Wheat said that clause had been insert
ed at the instance Of one who wanted to take
out the license.
The bill was then passed. and the Board nd
journed.
FIREMEN'S CONVENTIONAL meeting OF
delegates from the several Fire Companies of
the city, met at the Hall Of the Hydraulion
Steam Fire Engine Company last night on
the call OF that company, and Henry j. Ncvett
Chairman Of the Hylrauon delegation, called
the Convention to order, and on motion of &.
Edwin Entwislc, of the Relief, Richard H.
Carne Of the Hydrauion was elected Presl-
dent, and, on taking the chair, briefly return
ci thanks to the delegates for the honor con-
iemed on him. On motion Of II. j. Nevett,
c. Edwin Entwislc of the Relief Hook and
Ladder Company, was appointed Secretary
The following election of delegates was then
reported, viz:
FRIENDSHIP, No l-B. +. Penn 3. Wheat
ley, James ". Nails, }. b. johnson.
,Sm No. 2-Thomas Hail. Thomas W.
Dobie,* Hugh Latham.
Hyi,uuIi6n, No. 3-IIcny J. Nevctt,#
Richard j. Camc,# John A. TravcrS.
Coiunlbm, No. 4--Macom McI.can% Henry
llcrbncr.# WIN. Ii. Underworld
Relief Ikook and Ludir No. l--Ricllard
| NJ. Latham Michael II. NaSh and G. Edwin
| Entwislc.%
At the suggestion of tie President, the
| Regulations for Fire Companies made before
| the war, were read and on motion of hlr. Ncv-
| cit of No. +, Il committee OF one from each
| company was appointed to draft regulations
suitable to the present needs OF the depart
mcnt The committee arc Alcssra. Penn OF
No. | !: Dobic of No. >; Ncvctt of No. ) !; Me-
Lean OF No. t and Latham Of Hook and Lad
| der No |.
On motion of Mr. Underwood Of No. |, the
| Convention then adjourned to meet at the
same place on the evening of Wednesday, the
18th inst.
#'rhoSe marked with an astrriSi were present.
ALEXANDRIA WASHINGTON LODGE The
annual election of officers for Alexandria
Washington Lodge, No. -, A., I. L y. NJ,
WAS held last night, with the following result:
Worshipful Master ". \. Moore; Senior