Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-28

Of the right of the city TO control It's own taxa
ton. The Council frequently exempted from
taxation in special cases. Why not do 1t gen.
orally.
Mr.. Claggett thought that the passage ofthe
bill would be blessing to the city.
Mr.. Wheat read the constitutional provision
on the subject
Mr.. Neale said that the city had the power
to suspend taxation on all manufacturers. lie
wanted all to be free from taxation.
Mr.. Hughes was willing to accept that Idea
and exempt all manufacturers. Any thing to
encourage manufactures.
The subject was referred to the Attorney Of
the Corporation.
A communication from R. johnson, agent,
with reference to the distractions to the King
street wharf and dock by the Washington ferry
slip, and the filling up Of the dock, was refer
red to the Committee on General Laws.
At this point the Board of Aldermen enter
ed the chamber of the Common Council, and a
joint convention was held.
| The Char announced that the business OF
| the convention was the election OF Gauger
| and member of the police force
Mr.. Ncale-l nominate NY old friend Love
Joy.
Mr.. Wheat nominated Mr.. L. NJ. Monroe.
He did not know that he was required to give
bond within fifteen days, and he allowed the
time to pass, but he afterwards rendered good
bond.
Mr.. Hughes wished to know Of the gentle
man from the First Ward il Mr.. Monroe knew
it was hi duty to pay over part OF his receipts
to the city. lie did not seem to know any
thing about it.
Mr.. Wheat said that Mr.. Lovejoy had acted
half the year during the sickness OF Mr. Mon
roe.
Mir. Beach explained that Mr. Lovejoy was
mere agent of Mr.. Monroe, aud had nothing
to do with payment to the city. lie got one
halt OF the TAX only
Mr.. Hendcrson-He is the deputy, and if he
divides the pay he ought to stand halt OF 1t.
Mr. French said there was msapprehen-
Sion as to che idea that the Gauger was bound
| to pay over portion OF his sd larry to the Cor
pclatlOn.
The Chair stated tllat there was no law re-
curing the Gauger to pay any portion of his
receipts into the treasury
Mr. Seaton favored the election of Mr. Love
JOY He spoke until the ballot was concluded,
when he was called to order by Mr.. Rlshlcll
Before announcing the ballot the Chair said
that he had examined the revenue bill instead
of the salary bill when he made his last state
ment The salary bill provided that the eau
ger should pay into the treasury ten per cent
of his receipts.
The ballots resulted asfolows
lst ballot [. B. Lovejoy, IL; U. NJ. Mon
roe, 10.
End ballot Loveioy. II; Monroe, 10.
Bird ballot Lovejoy, l2; Monroe, s.
Nominations were made for policemen BY
MIR. Wheat, Christopher Lyles; by Mr. Evans,
G.. W. Petty; by Mr. Markell, Mr.. Watkins
The ballot resulted as follows:
LIST ballot: Lyles IL; Petty, i.
The Joint meeting having dissolved the Coun
ell resumed its session.
A bill reducing the price Of gas to So per
thousand feet coming in from the Board OF Al
dermen.
Mr. Evans moved that the time allowed to
pay at the lowest rate be expressed by the
word rendered.
Mr. Stuartthought the bill did not reduce
the price sufficiently He tarprcd $3.50 per
thousand.
Mr. Wheat urged that the reduction was all
that it was well to make at this time as the re-
duction even to $500 would considerably re-
duce the amount received by the Finance Com
luittee for the current year AS this was an
experiment it would be we'll to make reason
able reduction at first.
Mr. Caggett favored Mr.. Stuart s motion.
Mr. Shinn (calliug Mr. Wheat TO the chair
read the report Of the Committee on Light,
made last year to show that 739 gas consumers
paid besides their ordinary tax $l9,0 900 more
than the rest Of the community. Put the tax
at 81. 50 and these 139 persons still would pay
for lighting the streets, market, Council, en-
CINE houses, &c, and yet leave surplus IN
the treasury of the gas works. He knew it
bad been said in the Board Of Aldermen that
the books Of the Auditor showed credit to
the gas works of only $ll,OO0 when In fact
the books showed that there was this credit
beside full payment Of all the cost OF building,
repairing and maintaining the gas works.
Mr. Wheat deprecated the attemptto dimin-
ish the revenue Of the city. He feared that
next year the city tax would be $500 per hun.
dred without discount. 1t might be that 1t
would be much more.
Mr.. Stuart said it was never too late to do
Justice
Mr.. Shnn commented on the injustice of
compelling 739 persons to bear double taxes in
order to avoid taxing $4,000 people fair pro-
portion Of the public expenses.
MIR. Pinu inquired what additional profit
there would accrue from additional consumers.
Mr.. Shinn said the production would cost
only the additional cost of the coal. A ton of
coal which cost but 1925 would produce 5000
feet of gas, being at SO 90 per thousand, s27.
Mr.. Hughes announced his intention to vote
for the conference bill. He had found that
there had been an error in the statement otthe
profits of the gas works. No account had been
taken of the interest on the cost of the works,
which amounts 10 about $4,000 year. This
should be charged to the works.
Mr. Pinn also favored the conference report.
While gentlemen were considering that some
100 persons paid all for all the gas, they should
remember that they we're the persons who, liv-
ing in the central part Of the city, enjoyed most
of the benefit of the public lights, while owners
Of property on back streets had none.
Mr.. Shinn said in reply to Mr.; Hughes that
the statement to which he alluded did charge
the interest to the gas works until the works
testify Il improper to charge. interest on debt
that had been paid. He still thought $3.50
would be full charge for gas.
The conference bill making gas SO per thouSs-
and feet was concurred in and Council adj
iOulncd