Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-10-25

| thought lllc SoullCll Oouiu oOOulJ IL LII dpouI
two weeks.
Mr.. Evans, from the committee appointed
| to obtain registration place in the 18th Ward.
reported that that committee had carried out
its Instructions
The committee to whom had been referred
the petition of oyster dealers and others for the
compulsory use by boatmcn ofthc State measure
in the sale OF oysters reported through Mr.
Hopkins, that purchasers of oysters have al
ready Il sufficient remedy by State law, and
recommending no further action in the
premises.
Mr. Wheat explained that there was no
need Of any Legislation by the Council on the
subject, us the law Of the State was sufficient.
Any one who desired could have that law en-
forced.
The chair said lie did rot think that Council
could have two measures, one Tor potatoes,
grain, &C., and another for oysters.
Mr.. Smith urged that potatoes and the like
were sold by the pound. He never heard OF
weighing oysters.
Mr.. Hopkins did not know who would pay
the Inspector, some might be willing to do So
others were not, and he had not understood
how this difficulty could be adjusted.
Mr. Smith contcndcd that in Washington
no oyster could be sold at all except by the
hands of commission dealers. He said when
the oysters were high dealers seldom got more
than three pccks to q bushcl, when they were
low decent measure WAS gwen.
Mr. WI heat did not doubt that oysters were
often sold by scant measure, but the Corpora
ton was not in fault for that.
Mr.. Nealc expressed his views, saying that
as now sold, boatn!en saved - bushels in 100.
The President read the law in relation to
| 81, tl,{ INV
could have but one measure.
The report of the committee was not adopt
ed-fvc voting in the affirmative, and six in
the negative.
Mr. Pinn moved to recommit.
Mr. Wheat would he glad if the subject was
recommittcd, to have some definite instruc-
tons
Mr. Pim moved that the committee report
Il bill making the clerk Of the market lnSpcc-
tor Of oysters.
Mr. Smith moved to amend the amendment
by authorizing the committee to appoint an
Inspector.
Mr. Hopkins said such law would be use
less, because unconstitutional. No one could
be made to pay the inspector.
The amendment was lost and the report WAS
reconmitcd with instructions to the committee
to report bill providing for the appointment
of an oyster inspector, with authority to collect
his fees from purchasers.
y communication from the Mayor, on provi-
ding fuel for the poor was referred to the com
mittec on poor, without debate
\ number Of bills against the Aims house
having been read,
Mr. Shnn urged that if these supplies were
purchased in gross By Il committee, much mon
cy would be saved. He moved Il reference Of
the bills to the committee on the poor and that
in future all supplies be purchased by the COM
mlttce on the poor.
Mr. Wheat urged an amendment requiring
the Superintendent to report his bills once 4
month. The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Hughes introduced the following bill;
An ACT to promote and encourage manuluc-
lures in the city of Alexandria.
Whereas the city of Alexandria, possessing
manufacturing facilities in al eminent degree,
but which are rendered nugatory by an unwisn
and illibcral policy of taxation therefore,
Sec. !. BE it enacted by the Board of Alder
men and Common Council of Alexandria,
That and after the passage of this act amy
person, firm or corporation that shall establish
any manufacturing business within the limits of
this city shall he exempt from all taxation on
the part of the city for the ported OF ten years
from the passage of this act.
Sec > All acts or rar!< of acts in conflict or
which are rcpuguant to this act are hereby re-
Sec 3. This net shall he in force from its pas
sage.
Mr.. Wheat said that ten years WIS too long
lie would vote for three years
Mr. Moore moved to refer to the committee
on finance.
Mr.. Hughes did not think three years was
long enough to establish manutact"ry. In
Wilmington inducements were offered of fifteen
wears exemption, and whereas grass had grown
in the streets us it did here, now Wilmington
was I'm immense manufacturing city.
Mr.. Ncalc wanted to know how about the
manufactures already here.
Mr. Wheat said the resident dealers lad
many advantages over i new conner. and 1t WAS
fair to give the new conner IN even chance by
relieving him from taxes, but ten years was
too long lie doubted whether such cXcmp-
ton would bc constitutional. The State con-
stitutun provided that taxation should be equal
and uniform.
Mr. Hughes desired to know it the cotton
factory WAS not now exempt from taxation.
Mr. Hopkins had had the idea OF reporting
such niil, but an examination of the State
constitution had convinced him that such an
act would be unconstitutional.
Mr. Clagctt favored the bill Our mechanics
had now to 90 to foreign cities to get work. il
manufactures were here they could find work
at home.
Mr. pnn wanted to know if the Cotton Fac
tory was taxed The constitution required that
all species of property should be taxed equally
but it did not say that every species Of property
should be taxed. He continued cxpatiating
upon the advantages Of Alexandria, but we
were at cbb tide now and unless care was taken
we would soon be in the marsh. He favored
the BILL The constitution did not prevent the
bill from being raSscd;lct it be passed and then
try lift be constitutional.
Mr. Wheat-Iou are of the party that made
that law. Can you tell us how to get around it?
Mr.. Pinn said that if the Mount Vernon
Cotton Factory could be exempted, other fac
tories might be exempted.
Mr.. Wheat explained that the Cotton Fac
tory was exempted before the adoption of the
present constitution of the State.
Mr. pinn thought that in that case the
adoption Of the conStitu tuition would require that
tax be imposed on that factory.
Mr.. Wheat That would be an expost facto