Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-24
LOCAL NEWS.

Board of Altlc,men.- Janncy, from the
Committee on Streets, reported that in the
case of the petition of W. A. Smoot they had
on account of events transpiring since the last
meeting, no report to make, but submitted iu
stead communication from Mr. j. L. Arm
strong with reference to leasing the foot of
Princess street. u
Mr.. Janney said that on account of these
two bids the committee had thought it best to
bring the whole matter again before the Coun-
Gil. If necessary 1t could be laid over for flu
ture action.
Mr.. Markell said that Mr.. S1noot had a
dredging machine in use now, and he hoped
that some action would be taken at once Mr..
5. expected TO speud several thousand dollars
10 improving his property, and proposed to
dredge out the dock thoroughly.
Mr.. Janney explained further the condition
OF affairs at the spot proposed to be improved
by Mr.. Smoot and also what Mr.. S. proposed
to do there. AS the dock is now all the debris
from Princess street washes down and has fill
ed up the dock so that now there was only d
foot of water, and vessel could not be un-
loaded except with great difficulty, and that
out at the end Of the wharf. Mr.. Smoot pro-
posed to thoroughly dredge the dock, and the
improvements he proposed making at tins
time would not cost less than $4,000. lie MIR.
s. was making preparations Tor Il large blSl-
ness, and says the present improvements arc
only the beginning OF what he hopes TO be able
to do. He expects to get one of the largest
coal companies in the region located here, and
the ultimate cost Of the Improvements he hopes
to make will be at perhaps a cost OF $4,000.
MIR. Smoot thong Int that IN view OF the magnl
tude of the business he proposed to conduct
hot n;f o,,rht 70 b,l,, him
Mr. Worthington said Mr.. Armstrong did
not offer to improve the property in any way,
but his offer was tempting one. Still Coun-
Gil ought to well consider the NATTER and he
thought that Mr.. S. ought to be encouraged.
He was by far the most entcrprisiug young
merchant Of our city, and had by his ulmidcd
efforts brought more foreign trade TO our city
than any other person doing business here. Or
course if the control of the dock was given 10
Mr.. Armstrong; Mr.. Smoot would do none of
the dredging proposed. He referred to the
condition Of the dock at the foot Of Duke street.
In 1861 there was from fifteen to twenty feet
Of water there, aud now only from 10 to -.
At Princess street, owing to that street being
uupaved, there was more rapid filling up sllll.
On motion of Mr. Markell the proposal OF
Mr.. Sm0ot Was accepted unanimously.
When resolution respecting the grant OF
the northeast corner Of the Court House lot
for the purpose of erecting school building
was read, Mr. French enquired how this grant
would effect the sale of the Court House and
grounds if it should be found proper to do SO.
Mr.. Markell stated that the lot least valuable
was proposed to be taken. The resolution Was
adopted.
A resolution to let out to the lowest bidder
the numbering Of the houses was called up.
Mr.. Janney hoped that the committee would
be allowed discretion in this matter. The low
est bidder might not prove the best man Tor
the work by any means.
Mr.. Underwood suggested, the lowest bidder
all other things being equal
On motion OF Mr.. Frcnrh the resolution was
laid on the table.
Mr.. Underwood, from the Committee on
Light, reported that they had agreed TO report
in favor OF the bill as passed by the lower
Board, reducing the price Of gas to SIS. lie
desired to say On the part OF the present con
sumers of gas, that as they had lighted the
streets and the public halls Of the CITY 50 long,
they thought that perhaps they had nearly per-
formed this part OF their duty.
Mr.. Worthington hoped the bill would not
pass tonight. lie had somc objections to
make to it, and he was not we'll enough to
make them. The bill could not be effective
until March first, and any hurry now would not
be of benefit to consumers.
Mr. French had a single remark to make.
He had learned that it was important that this
bill should pass soon; that many persons were
making preparations to dispense with gas and
use oil. There was an entire block on Nag
street now that was using oil. We ought to
relieve the minds Of all parties by acting
promptly. He did not think that Mr. Worth
ington could convince the Board that the pro
posed reduction would not pay.
Mr.. Worthipgton thought that II he could
not convince Mr. French he could at least the
other members Of the Board of the impocy Of
this reduction at the present. The bill was
laid over
MIR. French called up the matter Of the va
can't office of guager No action was tai KEN
Communication from H. jacobs relative to
dispute about load Of coke paid for BY HIM
but not delivered, was read.
Mr.. Markell thought this matter should not
have been brought up here. The Committee
on Light could have settled it all. 1t was
merely dispute between Mr. Jacobs and The
SUPERINTENDENT. The communication was re-
ferred and after passing few uuimportant bills
the Board adjourned.
Common Notwithstanding the in
clemency of the weather, four outsiders were
present at the meeting Of Council, but the at
tendance within the bar which was much
smaller than usual at the beginning. Increased
during the session until all the members OF the
board we're present The President was not at
the opening and Mr. Hopkins was called to the
chair, but Mr. Shinn soon came in and took the
chair.
A report from the committee on public prop
erty, authorizing the City School Board to erect
on the north east corner of the Court House lot,
school house, having been read,
Mr.. Wheat said that the Committee had re-
ported FIVE feet more than asked for by the
school board. This had been given with the
understanding that the school building should
be erected on the street line of Princess street,
so that the play ground might be entirely on
the south side. Mr.. Carne had proposed to To-
cate the house ten feet south of the street line
which would be dead loss to the corporation
in case it desired to build there:
Mr.. Hughes wished to know if the city own,
ed the whole lot. He thought that school %: