Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-12-13
LOCAL NEWS.

c"u Iiai' 1'lere' was au average attenuance OF
spectators witnessing the proceedings.
Board Of Aae,mm In the absence of the
clerk, Mr.. French acted in his stead
Several reports from standing committees
were made, aud adopted without debate; when
Mr.. Janney, from the Committee on streets,
to whom resolution in regard to the condition
OF the east end Of the tunnel Oh Wilkes street.
had been referred, stated that he, in conjunc-
ton with the Superintendent of Police had ex-
amiued it; but being unacquainted with the con-
tract between the O., y. L. NJ. r. r. aud the Cor
poration could make no report. MIR. j. also
stated that at the next regular meeting he
would have bill prepared for the proper num-
bering of the houses and lots also that he had
directed Mr.. Stephenson, Superintendent of
the Poors House: to sell all but two of the
hogs now at that institution. and that Mr. S.
had guaranteed to have the horse kept without
expense to the city.
At this time the clerk entered; and petition
from John w. Burke for footway in front of
his premises was read The petitioner sets
forth that the pavement was intended more for
the comfort Of other residents of the locality
than for himself, as he seldom had occasion to
60 that way. He was willing to furnish ma
terlal Tor the purpose
Mr.. Jauney said he had examined the prem
the petition on the terms spccifed-that Is.
Mr. B. to furnish materials. The cost to the
corporation would be only SIS, and he regard
ed MIR. Burke proposition very liberal
one. He moved that the prayer of the pctl-
toner be granted.
Mr. Markell said he would have to oppose it.
1t was, without doubt, establishing a bad pre-
cedent He had pay for any paving about his
premises, and Mr. Burke should do the same
Mr.. Januey explained that the portion of the
sidewalk Mr.. Burke asked to have paved was
one the petitioner seldom used. 1t was, how
ever, on the route generally taken by those re-
siding lower down, and to have it paved would
be comforting accommodation upon those
residents He was satisfied Mr. b. would not
have the work done if he had to bear the en-
tire expense, and as he had signifed his willing
ness to furnish the materials provided the cor
poration would pay for the labor employed on
the proposed improvement he could see no
just reason why the prayer should not be grant
ed. lie did not deny but that it was a bad
precedent, but there were cases needing de-
partures from the general rule, and this was
one of them. He regarded Mr.. B's. PROPOSE
ton as very liberal one, indeed.
Mr.. Worthiugton inquired if it was not OBJ
lgatory upon property holders to have the side
walks in front of their premises paved.
Mr.. Janncy. That part of the city is not
like King street. 1t is not essential to Mr.
Burke comfort to have the pavement laid
but will be an inestimable accommodation to
other residents of that locality.
Mr.. Worthingtou said he would have to op
pose it. Mr.. b. should be made to pave the
way for the comfort of his neighbors.
Mr. Janney Then, you will have to force
others.
The President debate is altogether
out of order. as the motion has never been
seconded
Mr.. Seaton presented an amendment to the
act directing the sale of property for non-pay
ment Of taxes Oh the LIST of January next. The
amendment fixes upon the LIST of June as the
time to add the ~ per cent and Il not paid by
the lst of july. to proceed to sell. lie said his
object 10 offering this amendment was to pro-
tect poor citizens who owned small house, but
at this season could not spare ten cents from
their families. He thought council should be
lenient, &c. He spoke at length urging the
adoption of the amendment.
Mr. Markell opposed it on the ground that
property holders made tenants pay their rents
regularly, aud should themselves be made to
pay their taxes.
Mr. Seaton said the gentleman MIR. Markell)
had miScOnstrued the iutent of the amend
ment He did not want to exempt property
holders. He Was looking to the interests OF
those who had only a small hut IN which they
lived There were plenty Of poor people who
were unable to pay rent in winter, and if you
shut down on the landlords, they in turn would
dlstraln tenants.
Mr. French said as membcr of the Finance
Committee, he would have to oppose 1t. No
one in the sound of his voice would be more Ie-
nient to poor people than himself; but, at the
- bo toft r,,Y1lH hav RI
be kept up. The interest on the bonded debt
of the city would have to De paid by the lst of
January. and by deferring the collection of
taxes until June or July would put off paying
that interest five or six months. Council, there
tore, was obliged to be stringent He would
however favor remitting the ~ per cent addl
tional if paid by January lst. He moved that
the amendment be referred to the Committee on
General Laws.
Mr. Seatop opposed such action, on the
ground that that would be the last of it.
Mr. Janney said there was a great deal of
force in what the member from the Fourth
Ward mr. Seaton) had said. He would have
voted for this amendment had the first OF April
been fixed upon instead of the lst OF July.
Mr.. WOrthington said he could clear the diff
fculty He moved the collection of taxes be
stayed until that committee reported.
Mr. French thought that would give addl-
tioual time to property-holders owing $4,000
taxes. They would be specializing with the
money in the meantime
The amendment was fually referred to the
Committee on Public Property.
Mr.. French presented petition from Chars.
Brill for reduction of assessment on his house,
and spoke in favor of granting it.
After some further debate between Messrs,
Worthington Januey, and Markell, the petition
was granted.
Mr. French then introduced a resolution re-
ducing the price of gas, stating that six or seven
hundred consumers now paid for all the gas
used in the city The committee, upon consul
tation with the Superintendent, had deemed
this advisable. BY lesSeuiug the cost, there
would be more consumers, SO the city would
not be made any poorer by such step.
Mr.. Worthington. surplus would
there be annually provided this reduction were