Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-13
LOCAL NEWS.

meeting of the City Council was held last nigh
at their rooms, in American Hall. For oficia
proceedings see another column.
Board Of Decentralization the reading o
the minutes of the last meeting,
Alr. Janney, from the Committee on Claims
reported adversely on the petition of Sophia
Cohen and Mary Irwin for remission of taxes
and said he felt it incumbent on himself te
make some sort of statement in regard to such
claims. The property of the petitioners had
been seized by the U. S. forces during the late
war and occupied, without compensation to the
owners. Council made out bills for taxes dur
ing said occupation, which had been paid. The
petitioners merely asked that the amounts paid
as taxes during the period the property was SO
occupied be credited to their present bills
The committee had thought it hard to have to
report adversely, but they had done 50 on prin-
cpe, considering the present condition of the
city treasury. He was in favor of doing what
was right in the premises FHtt j,Sticia ,uat
"ium. In 1867 Council had passed resolu-
ton to remit taxes on property while occupied
for military purposes; but it had only lasted
until the next meeting. He Intended offering
Il similar resolution himself under the head of
new business
The report was adopted.
An act to amend al act for the property
numbering Of the houses and lots in the city of
Alexandria was then read
Mr. Janney said this was similar to the bill
which had beer before Council month or SO
ago The Sd section of the old bin had been
tricken out by Council, but had been reinstated
in the new, and that under the bill now before
the Board the Mayor, in conjunction with the
committee on streets, would be required to pro-
cure plats Of the city. The contracts for furn-
ishing the same, he said would be subject to
the approval Of Council. He though it i'm
portant to have these plats, as they would cost
but little, and explained their utility
The 10Th rule was suspended aud the bill
passed.
Mr. Worthington offered resolution that
the Finance Committee in conjunction with the
Presidents Of the two Boards be empowered
to make any compromise with delinquent tax
payers they may see proper He said he had
been thinking over the matter, and had come
to the conclusion that some cases needed COM
promises. At present the committee had no
power to act, and he therefore desired the pas
sage of the resolution.
Mr. French said the resolution had been pre-
scented at the request OF the committee in order
to avoid litigation He hoped it would pass
The resolution was adopted.
An act providing for the payment to police
men of their regular salaries while sick or dis
abled, providing the same is not the effect of
iutemperance or excess, was received from the
Common Council
Mr. Worthington moved concurrence.
Mr. French hoped no member would vote
against the bill.
The action of the Common Council was con-
CURED 10.
MIR. Simpson then retired from the chair for
the purpose of making a motion for the recon
r yph ba rp-
districting of the city had been lost at the last
meeting, for want Of constitutional majority
He said the second sober thought of man
was generally conceded to be correct, and
though the bill was not one that fully met hi S
approval yet, 10 the absence of anything, bet :
ter, he would vote for it.
His motion prevailed.
Mr.. Underwood wanted to understand this
matter 1t seemed to him that the present
boundary lines made the wards very unequal
but he had been told the bill now proposed
would make it worse.
MIR. Simpson explained the boundaries as
set forth in the bill, and showed where more
equal division would be made under it. Asa
member from the second Ward, he would gain
nothing BY it; he was now favorlng the bill
pro bono pu6ltco.
Mr.. Seaton could not see the object Of the
bin. He said it was taking voters from one
ward and putting them in another. He dis
carded any intention of impugning the motives
of the committee, as had been charged at the
last meeting, but said outsiders were endeavor-
ing to make a political matter out OF it.
After some further debate, participated In
by Messrs Simpson, Worthington, Underwood
aud Seaton, the bill was passed.
Mr. Underwood presented bill IN relation
to the Alexandria Passenger Railway. He
,,,1o Iop,, cpooob fayorinu tho anc0ur-
agement of internal improvements, manutac-
lures, &C., and gave the history OF certain
Northern towns which had grown up of late
from liberal policy pursued in reference to
improvements and manufactures ~
The Goth rule was suspended and the bill
passed.
Mr.. Seaton then offered the following reso-
luton:
Resolred, That the Superintendent Of Police
be instructed to place cindcrs or some other
substance, which will form good walk on such
portions of the west side of Washington street,
between Wolfe and Gibbon, as may need the
same.
Mr.. Markell said such resolution was a re-
Election on the Superintendent of Police. That
officer was doing the best he could. 1t was i'm
possible to procure suitable material to form
such walks at present; so it was no use for
Council to give him orders which he could not
carry out He moved that the resolution be
laid on the table.
Mr.. Clifford, from outside the bar ALI
the work I've done this winter has been in that
neighborhood.
Mr. Seaton rose to explain In that neigh
borhood, during wet Gather, females, particular
ly, we're obliged to remain in doors. He did
not doubt but that the Superintendent was do
ing the best he could, but
Mr.. Markedly motion has been made to
lay on the table; all debate therefore is out OF
order
The resolution was tabled.
Some remarks were then made in regard to
a certain excavation on Franklin street, at the
intersection of Washington by MIR. Seaton,
which brought forth an explanation from Mr.
Clifford.
The bill for the proper numbering of houses