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

dock in good order and IT, 1t, giving 1t up 10
the city on payment of his expenses.
Mr.. Evans thought that the city should get
the most it could for its property, and as Mr.
Smoot proposed TO repair the dock and then
pay nothing for it, and Mr.. Armstrong also
proposed to repair the dock and then TO pay
the city rent iorit he favored the proposition
OF Mr.. Armstrong.
Mr. Shinn said that Mr. Smoot was the only
one who could utilize this property. lie owned
10Th sides Of the street. aud proposed to abate
nuisance which existed in the midst of his
property. 50 that he could pass from one side
to the other. Mr. Armstrong proposed to take
possession Of the dock. and the only use he
could make of it would be to blockade MIR.
Smoot out of his own property. Mr. S1noot
or any other man, would not submit to this,
and the result would he lawsuit, into which
the city would come out loser.
Mr.. Henderson wanted to know why these
two gentlemen were so anxious to get this
peace OF river front. He moved the reference
of the subject to special committee to lnvesu-
gate it.
Mr. Shinn said that if Council was not com
pctcut to understand the matter themselves
committee chosen from among them could not
be. Mr. Smoot would make extensive improve
lncnts and would bring Il new coal company
here
Mr.. Clagett favored Mr. Armstrong S propo-
sition because he proposed to pay something for
his occupation of the ground, while MIR. Smoot
did not
Mr.. Shnn said that the advantage of Mr..
Smoot's proposition was that at the end OF ~
wears there would be lett on both sides OF the
improvement an improved property. whose ln-
L. Il ,,,,f 10
more than Mr. Armstrong; proposed rent.
Under Mr. Armstrong $ nothing would be lett.
Mr.. Smoot had the opinion of two eminent
lawyers that he had right to enter and take
possession of this dock 1t would be observed
that Mr.. Armstrong proposed to pay rent for
the ''u,disturbed' possession, which the city
had 10 right to give
Mr.. Beach said that he confessed he did not
understand the matter If Mr.. Snroot had the
opinion Of two eminent lawyers that he had
right to the ground, why did he come TO
Council?
Mr.. Wheat-Bccause be wants to settle the
matter peaccab!y.
Mir. Silinn said that the city had no power
to blockaie this end 1 Z the street. 1t was con-
denncd rs public highway. Mr.. Armstrong $
proposition was Tor the uninterrupted use OF
the street, which the City could not grant. hlr.
Smoot did not propose to block 1t up, hut to
dredgc it out SO that he could use 1T, and bring
a trade here which did not come here now.
Mr.. Henderson had noticed Mr.. Suioot was
storing plaster there now. He waited the mat
ter re-rcfcrlcd, SO that all cotld understand it.
Mr. Pinn and Mr.. Hughes favored the same
course, Sc that the members could go down
and see what was to be done and vote advised
iy. Ii Nlr Smoot was going to get a large
coal trade here, Mr. Hughes was in favor of
his GETTING the place, but there was no guar
antee now offered
Mr.. Wheat explained the reasons which led
him 10 say that Mr.. Smoot on making these
improvements would bring large coal trade.
Mr. ". enlogizcd Mr.. Smoot as one of the
most public spirited Of our citizens, who had
already made extensive improvements and who
was now importing more plaster than all the
rest of the town.
The motion to re-retcr was lost by tie,all the
members from the st and I'd Wards voting in
its favor. and all from the 81 and 18th Wards
AGAINST It. When the chair called the affirma-
tive inc Of eight gentlemen on his right rose
solid. and on tll. negative cali line of equal
number rose solid on his left. 1t was the only
occasion in which this has taken place in Coun-
eli within the past twenty-five years certainly,
and probably since the organization Of the
town.
The subject was then referred to the Com
mittcc on Streets.
The application of d. ndheim for a re-
funding OF tax On him - sewing machine
agent. coming up.
Mr.. Pinn could not see why men represent
themselves IS agents OF sewing machines ad-
vertised and even pay tic tax as agents, yet
suddenly find out that they are not agents.
Mr.. Wheat explained that the sewing ma
chine business here was not conducted as an
agency, but merchants bought and sold the
machines as other merchandise.
The petition was granted.
Mr.. Hopkins introduced resolution looking
20 more equal distribution of the State school
tay. and explained that under the State law as
it now stood, while the State collected the
school tax on property, it returned it no proper
tiou to the number of children, thus making
cities pay more than the country for school
purposes. AS it was the State got $4,000 from
the city and paid back for school purposes but
S3, 800 The resolution vas intended to urge a
change in this. The resolution was adopted.
Adjourned.
ANOTHER WARNING.--The alarm Of fire