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

ccedlngs sec another column.
Board of Aldermen. There We're present Ill
this Board, Messrs. Simpson, French ilar-
mon, Agnew and Markell ..
The Presiden being absent Mr.. Simpson was
called to the chair.
The finance bill coming up,
Mr.. French said that the bill having been re-
ported before and read, all that demanded the
attention of the Board was the discount clause,
which authorized the Collectors of Taxes to al
low discount of 10 per cent upon all bills paid
by the first Of August; 10 per cent upon those
paid by the first Of September; per cent by
the first of October, after which time no discount
shall be allowed.
Mr. Agnew moved the adoption Of the bill.
Mr. Markell did not think fifteen per cent Il
sufficient amount.
Mr. French hoped there would be no long
debate ON this matter The bill had been dis
cu>scd by the committee He thought II per
cent sufficient discount, and said % per cent
would be- no incentive towards making people
pay their taxes.
Mr.. Agnew favored the bill and entertained
the same views in regard To the blll us Mr.
French
Mr.. French said his object in fixing it at IL
nrr cent WAS that il should affect the revenue rs
little rs possible
Mr.. MARKELL shau RAISE amy objections
MIR. French-What objection, t" getting as
much revenue Us possible? ,.r
Mr. Arncw again spoke in favor OF the bill,
and moved that it be adopted rs reported.
Mr. French stated that it merely required 4
majority to bass the bill, rs it had been report
cd at the former meeting.
The vote was then taken which resulted as
follows: AYES: Simpson,, Markell. Harmon,
French and Agncw. Nocs-nOnc
Sttndry bills, resolutions, &C., Were received
from the Common Council and their action con-
Cured in.
The bill authorizing the sale Of two thousand
shares Of stock in the Orange \ Alexandria
II. r., for the purpose of raising funds t" re-
build the Market House, was received from the
Common Council and read.
Mr. Harmon said he WAS in favor ut the blll,
but the Board could not pass it, rs 4 legal vote
could not be obtained.
MIR. French stated that amendments could
be made to the bill at any rate. Tie could not
understand the sinking fund scheme mentioned
in the bill.
Calls were made for second reading Of the
bill.
MIR. French continued, saying IN omission
had been made by the trainers of the bill. The
O. "a. K. Il. hid declared one dividend,
which had been paid in scrip. Did the bill
provide for sale Of the scrip, also?
Mr. Harmon did not understand it IN that
way The scrip drew interest.
Mr. Agnew said that $4,000 alone could be
realized from the sale Of the stock OF said road.
a message from the Common Council was
received stating that the stock merely was pro-
posed to be sold.
Mr.. Agnew expressed great confidence in
o. 4 A. stock Said in ten years time it would
I bo bn m
to it.
MIR. IIarmon-But We can't wait ten years.
Mr.. Agnew did not propose that the city
should He was only giving his opinion.
The bill then passed to i second reading.
The report Of the committee appointed to
devise means for rebuilding the Market House
and to advertise for plans, adopted by the
Common Council was received stating that
the committee had adopted the plan submitted
by Adolph Cuss, of Washington, with the ex.
ception of stecple, which should correspond
with the one destroyed.
Mr. Agnew said the committee, IN adopting
this plan, had done 50 reluctantly, as an Alex
andria mechanic was the ether competitor but
Mr. C's plan was the best and cheapest.
Mr.. Harmon moved Il concurrence.
MIR. French-Docs the gentleman know any
thing about the plan submitted?
acted discrcctly.
Mr.. French said he had not given the plans
a minute inspection, and should like to 10 so
before voting for the adoption Of either OF them.
Thought the subject should lay over.
Mr. Harmon-Thcy have been on exhibition
at the Gazette Office. The gentleman should
have examined them.
Mr. Agnew thought Council should act
promptly The best and cheapest plan should
be adopted Members should examine the
plans. =,
Mr.. French reiterated that the matter should
lie over to allow him time to examine the plans
more closely He would like to know all about
each room, the ground work, &c
Mr.. Markell-lf the gentleman objects 1t
cannot pass anyhow.
MIR. French said that no man contemplating
building house should 60 at it blindly; but
should take time and know what he was doing.
lie again asked that it lie over until the next
regular meeting
Mr.. Agncw said that when the finance bill
was reported Mr.. French had stated that the
committee had spent hours i'll It's preparation,
and hoped there would be no discussion on it.
Now, this rule should hold good in this case.
If one member should fail to examine the plans
why should he attempt to prevent It's passage.
Mr.. French did not want to be understood as
hostile to the erection OF 4 new Market House.
tie had prepared bill looking to that end be-
fore the fire. But when he was asked by his
constituents concerning the proposed new build
ing he wanted to be able to explain it properly.
Everybody was not an architect, and $4,000
should not be appropriated until Council knew
exactly what it was doing. \ great many, of
the citizens of the city were in favor of Mr..
I.ambdin's plan. lie would not 50 blindly.-
The interior of the building should be looked at,
and not the picture. lie had on one occasion
introduced resolution in regard to the new
Market House which he thought no one would
oppose; yet it WAS voted down. He did not
want to be insisted on to vote for anything he
did not thoroughly understand Hoped his
motion to lay over would prevail.
Mr.. Agnew did not wish to deprive Mr.. +.
of time TO examine the plans hut merely cited
the case of tho finance bill. He expressed his
regrets that the committee had to reject Mr..