Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-05-20


per CT bonds and negotiate them at par fo
p per ct. if the rents Of the new building were
pledged for the payment.
Mr. Agnew thought we were placed unde
the painful necessity Of going forward in Thu
matter, and was glad that so liberia! L PROPOSE
ton had been made.
Mr. Massey-If the member will allow Inc
will name the gentleman. 1t is Gen. Montgomery
D. Corse When say this | know every gen
tleman will consider the offer Is from most
responsible source.
Mr. French was Of the opinion that unpro
ductive city property had test be, converted
into active capital, and that no bonds should I;t
issued until the amount received from the sale
Of property was ascertaincd He favored 4 sale
of the Court House.
Mr.. Agnew saw no reason ior coupling tho
resolution of the property rs to whlch all were
: agreed with the sale of property upon which
there was difference of opinion. 1t would lie
well to consider all these things ut once.
Mr. Wheat conceded with the last speaker
and favored economy in the public expenses.
Tie did not think we required more than Sl1,-
GOO to put up PLAIN building: inr ourrurpoScS.
He iclt certain there were enough gcnt!cmcnto
take the bonds to this amount if they could bc
used for the payment Of taxes. This would
save the - per cent commission on the negoti-
alton He felt more than eyer CONVINCED OF
the necessity of economy. We had Il heavy
debt and should keep within tie narrowcst
limits of expense possible, and so save the pco-
Die from burdens that they We're i'll prepared
to bear
Mr.. French restatcl the proposition of Mr..
Massey ana said that money could be raised IN
that way. (Mr. M--From 80 to 40 Thousand
dollars. Mr. French thought that the city
was abundantly able to make this expenditure.
There were few corporations with so much tax
able property under their command with less
burdens Why sell the Court House now?
Mr.. Wheat said that it was not in the power
of the city to pledge any portion OF its property,
Tor a!l was under deed OF trust. lie thought
all would agree that economy was demanded,
He favored taking the bricks and tn" insurance
money and proceeding Oh that
Mr. Harmon explained that he had sad It
would cost 80 per cent to negotiate under
misapprchcnsion. 1t had been said the city
was in desperate condition. Facts were stub,
born things. 1t was 4 fact that the EondS OF
the city had risen from 80 TO 60 per cent.
Mr. Smoot expressed himself i'll favor OF
making the market property rs good, II not
better than ever before He favored selling
the Sl50,QUU Orange stock owned by the city.
1t gave the city no control whatever over the
rad in the regulation of its affairs. He thought
this stock would yield from S45 900 to $50. 600.
lie was surprised at the liberal offer to take the
bonds. and thought those who offered it were
entitled to the public thanks, but he held that
the sale Of this stock was the better course.
The State was about to sell its interest in the
road. and the town would be none the worse
off ii it disposed Of It's stock.
MIR. Massey would like to know if the city
| Il, he mn
interest on the preferred stock.
Mr.. Smoot explained that nothing could be
gotten in that way. The mortgages covered
the property Of the Company.
Mr.. French WAS sure that Mr.. Smoot idea
was likely to delay the object Of this meeting.
II at future time this stock was sold IFS pro
ccads could be used TO pay oft the debt now
created.
Mr. Smoot said he stood there in good faith
and that his purpose was not to delay
Mr.. French tlisclaimcd expressing such ati
| idea.
Mr. Shinn thought the discussion would lead
to no good He favored practical action, and
; gave notice that as soon as the JOINT meeting
| dissolved he would Introduce resolution Tor
the appointment of committee to report 4
plan. :,
Mr.. Smoot was we'll satisfied that his plan
WIS best. But il that WIS not feasible then he
was ready to support the plan of Mr.. french.
Mr.. Massey said that i'll March 1870, the
Orange road hid paid $4,000 OF the interest on
this stock.
Mr.. French supported his resolution.
The Joint convention then dissolved.
Mr.. Shinn then submitted the resolution Ior
the apnnintmcnt of Il committee which WAS
agreed to-
Mr.. Smoot called the attention Of Council to
the assistance rendered by the Washington
tircmen. and said that he had authorized Mr..
Green to provide them with refreshments, tell
inc him that the city would pay for them or il
not he would sec him paid, When he asked
Mr. Green for his bill that gentleman said that
inasmuch as the city had suffered 50 much he
would take nothing from the city and betrayed
all the cost himself.
He introduced resolution of thanks 10 Mr..
Green which Was agreed to.
The clerk read Il communication from Judge
Keith to Judge Lowe. in reference to the place
for holding the Corporation and Circuit courts
with bill providing for the removal. which
Mr. Massey moved To amend by adding = see
ton empowering Council to repeal the act At
any time and the bill as amended was passed
Mr. Massey said that he thought the origin
of the recent fire should lie investigated. In
some cities there WAS 1 fire marshal WHO made
all such Investigations. He referred tC
the reports in reference to the fire
circulating in the community. OF the truth OF
them he knew nothing. He offered rcsolu-
ton for the appointment Of committee to rs
certain the origin of the fire, which wasagrced
to.
\ substitute for Mr. Shnn resolution re-
speeding the appointment of committee to adj
vcrtisc for plans. &C.. for the erection ofa new
, market house having been received from the
Board Of Aldermen,
I Mr. Sh;nn said tina, one part OF it provided
Il way by which the expense to be incurred shall
, be paid. while Il subsequent section provided
, that inquiries he made rs to whether or not
Council had the power 10 make such payments
, Mr.. Massey said ii was astonishing that the
resolution as adopted by the Common Courci
, could not satisfy the Sapicnt gentlemen Of tho
, other Board. Such action on their part was
well he would not say what. but he would NOV,
that it be nonconcurrad in. and his motion vi
ndOntp.l