Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-05-29

ascertain the views or the IRE w aruenS
| The bill to grant to the Alexandria Passe7
| ger Railway the right of way over King street
| with the right to construct branches on other
streets, with an exemption from taxation Tor
! five years, unless the company receives an
| amount above its expenditures, was received
with communication from the Corporation
! Attorney, giving his opinion that the exemp.
ton was unconstitutional, and passed unaul-
mously, Mr. French remarkiug to Gen. Curse
that he hoped that the road would now be built
at once, in order that he could ride to Cats
daily to get drink of sulphur water.
| The vacancies in the trustees OF the Orphan
Asylum, caused by death. were filed.
The action of the Board in reference to King
street dock and the obstacle caused by the
structure of the Ferry Company into the river,
having been amended by the Common Council,
| Mcssrs Janney and French contended that the
structure was illegal, and that, if a nuisance,
it should be abated that Council had no right
to prevent violation OF law; that 1t might en-
| tail law suit aud that the cause OF complaint
should be removed. The Board refused to
concur in the action of the Common Council,
and the whole subject was laid over.
A committee, consisting of Mcssrs. French
votes of the two branches Oh the Fish Wharf;
| -
private character the Board adjourned
Common ComciL-The Common Council
was as well attended last night: as is usual OF
| late.
Mr.. Stuart from the Committee on the Cod
ifcation of the Laws, reported that the laws
could be codiied and fifty copies furnished for
500.
MIR. Rishiel asked if 100 copies could not
be furnished at small additional cost
Mr. Wheat moved to recommit with instruc-
tons to the committee to report the cost OF
furnishing 500 copies.
| Mr.. W heat, from the Committee on Public
PROPERTY reported in favor Of leasing the fish
wharf to w. A. Stewart for five years, at
81, q61. 30 per annum; 5000 to be deposited in
the city treasury as security for the performance
of the contract. Mr.. W. explained that Mr..
Stewart proposed to deposit in the city treasury
$500 to remain there for five years. to be for
teited if the terms were not complied with. The
rents of the wharf had been As follows In
1863 $l,776; in 1869, -, l2G (pald in Corpor-
alton money! in 1870, 81 ,499; i'll 1871, $l,4Gl,
being an average Of 81 ,7i5 per annnm Mr..
much changed since the war. Formerly farmers
with many slaves came here with their wagons
to purchase fish for their plantations, but that
state of things had passed away, aud there was
Il strong effort now being made to induce the
fish trade to go to Washington. MIR. Stewart,
if this lease was adopted, intended to grant
building rights to the leading fish dealers Of
Washington, so that they would erect buildings
there and become identified with the trade Of
the wharf Under these circumstances the COM
mittcc thought it u good move, and advised its
adoption.
A resolution directing the committee on pub
lie property to conclude the contract was
agreed to.
A resolution for the purchase of cooking
range for the Poor's house coming up, Mr..
Rishicll explained that the stove at the Poor 5
house had given out, and that the Supcrlnten
dent thought it would be economical to get the
range and let the Poors house bake Its Own
bread.
The following communication from Maj. j.
w. Green was read:
ALEXANDRIA, May 18th 1872
To the honorable men,Jtrs Of The Boari If Al
dernoea and Common ConncI Of 4dhcranorht.
Gentlemen. | respectfully ask that authority
be given to the Superintendent Of Police to
change the course of the DRAWINGS which now
pass on the building frouts of the whole
square of ground I own, on Fairfax street, op-
posite the Washington and Ohio Railroad, in
order that may improve the lot. | am salts
fed the health of the North end Of the town
would be improved by the proper drainage
and filling up Of the lots, and in connection
with the Engineer of the city, who inspected
the condition of the drainage, am satisfied it
can be made at snail outlay SO as to take the
whole drainage down Pitt street and in a
straight and direct line down Pendleton street,
so as to pass out the culvert into the river The
drainage now passes through the centre ola
square from Pitt to Royal and then through
another square between Royal and Fairfax and
then on the front of my lot making some five
bends and backing up the water.
Respectfully, JOHN W. GREEN.
The following communication from the At
torney Of the Corporation was read, as follows:
ALEXANDRIA, Va, May 2Sth, 1872.
To the Honorable City Council Of A1ecanl'9,a
An act entitled IAN act granting the right of
way, to the Alexandria Passenger Railway
through certain streets was referred to me for
my opinion. That portion of the act
which provided in certain cases, for the
return to the Company of sum of money
equal to the amount of tax paid by the Compa-
nv regard as simply an attempt to get rid oftax-
alton. | do not think that the City Council
has authority to make the disposition of pub
lie money, sought by the act. Very respectfully,
FRANCIS j. SMITH, JR.,
Corporation Attorney.
Mr.. Hewes moved to receive the communi-
cation, and then pass the bill.
Mr.. Hopkins thought that Council should act
in accordance with the opinion of the law officer
Of the corporation.
Mr.. Wheat opposed the bill as granting
greater privileges to this Corporation than it
was proposed to do for the manufacturers. They
were to be exempted only for five years while
the bill as proposed exempted the passenger
railroad from taxes until their enterprise proved
| profitable He was opposed to such discrmi-
nation, and moved to amend by limiting the
| time within which the taxes were to be refund.
| ed to five years.
Mr.. Hopkins could not vote for this bill IN
| der his OATH What was the use Of passing
this bill when it would not stand it brought be-
fore the court?
Mr.. Wheat explained his vote. He would
vote for the bill though he believed the Coun-
u L Il ~ hot ba