The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-11
LOCAL MATTERS.
CITY COUNCIL.


Adjourned Meeting last Night-ssNew Plan''
for the Improvement of Streets-Sharp De-
bate the Powers of the Engineer and the
Committee-Eycitcment in the Lobby-sam-
pie Law Repealed.
At the adjourned meeting Of the Council
last evening the new plan for the improve
ment of streets was discussed for an hour,
when it was rccommitted to the Committee
on Streets Generally, with instructions to
consult the city attorney, and to bring in
an ordinance carrying out in detail the sug-
gestions made. In order that our readers
may form an idea of the "new plan" we
mention briefly the leading features: No
paving, either of cutters or brick walk
ways, be hereafter laid upon any street
unless the curbing is set IN advance
of the same that the cost Of all
new brick-paving, as well as relaying and
repairs, he borne by the properties border
ing on the improvement; that this be de-
clared the future policy of the city, and
that a select committee be appointed to
consider whether any injustice will be done
to any ward of the city by its operation,
and if any, what cxpedient should be re-
sorted to in correcting the same
upon basis of general equality;
CilaL tfte CApCuiShOJ VI eohSoiao q
ting expenditures and improvements
with view to economy and availability,
and an abandonment of the system of diff
fiIsing partial and Intellectual improvements
over large areas, is recommended; that 1t
is suggested for the consideration OF the
Council whether the interest of the city
would not be advanced by system ofspe-
cial taxation upon properties confronting
all street improvements for fair share
thereof, thereby rendering an increase in
the rate of general taxation unnecessary,
and at the same time distributing the cost
of the improvements more equitably.
. Mr.. Wynne offered resolution that the
Committee on Streets be instructed to re-
port at the next regular meeting of the
Council by what authority, or by whose
instructions the engineer of the city has
macadamized several or any of the streets
of this city, and that the engineer and the
Committee on Streets are hereby prohibited
from altering or repaying any of the streets
Of the city without instructions in regard
to the same from the Council.
Mr.. Wynne claimed that Captain Dim
mock was the Committee on Streets, and
did whatever he pleased, without hindrance
or control by the committee.
Mr.. Anderson protested against the
adoption of the resolution as being ofien-
sive to the members Of the committee.
Mr.. Wynne said that he would leave the
language of the resolution to the instincts
of any gentleman TO say if it was offensive,
or not.
Mr.. Anderson informed the gentleman
that he was well aware that language that
,oht hs, Affo fN vv01Il1 y0t
be Objectionable to another.
Mr.. Strauss asked Mr.. Anderson if he
knew that the excellent hard gravel road
way on Sixth between Broad and Grace
streets, had been dug up to be macadam-
lied.
Mr.. Anderson knew nothing about it.
Mr.. Lipscombe explained that the work
referred to was being done under the sane
ton of the Committceon Streets Generally.
The city engineer had authority to make
the work of macadamization continuous
and to improve the streets as fast as pos
sible.
During this debate disturbance was
made in the lobby by drunken man be-
coming excited at the proceedings of the
body. He was taken out of the hall by
Detective Craddock amid general suspen-
sion of business and great confusion.
Mr.. lsaacs supported the resolution,
contending that it was not offensive,
though rather strong. At his suggestion
the resolution was modified to read 're-
questedn instead of "instructed."
Mr.. Whitlock thought there could be nc
objection against thorough inquiry into
this matter, but thought it would be bet
| ter to postpone action until general sys.
tenn for the improvement of streets could
| be adopted.
Mr.. Isaacs moved to refer the resolution
to the committee. So
Mr.. Wynne objected IN toto. He thought
if members had not backbone enough
| to consider the resolution right here
they were unworthy Of their places in thii
body.
Mr.. Anderson explained the system
| of improvements of streets, and defended
the city engineer from the "open and in
sidious" attacks made upon him by nom
bers.
Mr.. Freeman also defended the stree
committee and the city engineer.
The resolution was divided, and the frs
portion down to sscityu was adopted.
The latter clause of the resolution, in
structing the engineer and street commit
tee not to have any more work done with
out authority from the Council was post
poned by consent of Mr.. Wynne.
) The Committee on the Fire Department
submitted report, accompanied by com
munication from Chief Engineer Ainsli
asking that the bell on Washington Ha