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

Boards. zee announcer part vi to-udy OaZelte
for official proceedings.
Board Of Aldermen. There were present, in
the Board of Aldermen, Mcssrs. Simpson, Mar.
kell, Janney, French, Corse, Und erwood and
Seaton, and during the evening three specta-
tors appeared, but each remained only a few
minutes.
Mr. French, from the Committee on General
Laws reported upon the communication OF h.
Johnston, agent, &c., IN reference to the filing
up of the dock at the foot OF King street by the
wash from that thoroug hiare, and the obstruc-
ton caused by the structure OF the Potomac
Ferry Co., that the filling up Of the dock could
be obviated by the replacing OF the grating
across the drain, 50 as to prevent the mud be-
ing deposited, and that the Ferry Company be
required to comply with the law as to their
structure.
Mr.. +. said that during the occupation Of the
CITY by the Federal troops, and in regarding
King street, the grating to the drain had been
destroyed, and that by repairing 1t and using q
little straw during rains, the difficulty could be
obviated. In respect to the structure of the
Ferry Company, which was beyond the proper
limit, it was deemed necessity by the Com
PAW in order that their boats could come into
the dock without trouble and danger.
The report was adopted.
MIR. Janney, from the Committee on Streets,
reported upon the resolution IN respect to the
removal of the water plugs that it would cost
| $40 apiece, or about Sl30 to have those Oh
| King street removed, and that the committee
had authorized the Superintendent of Police to
have the water and gas boxes put in proper
order.
The Clerk read communication from MIR.
r. H. Miller upon the subject, IN which that
gentleman says that an improper Interpretation
had been put upon his remark; that when the
city was in funds the company would be ready
to receive proposals for the purchase OF the
works" and explaining how and under what
circumstances the remark was made; also stat
ing that the plugs had been placed IN their
present positions by order OF the Council, and
that their removal would be at the expense OF
the Corporation; also explaining the difficulty
that would attend their removal, the danger Of
the occurrence OF fire during the time required,
&C.. that the stock yielded less than six per CT;
what had been the expenses incurred III laying
pipes, &c. .,.
Mr.. Janney said that the committee were
only instructed to enquire into the expense OF
removing the plugs, and not to have them re-
moved. The boxes had been ordered to be re.
paired at once. There were, he said, several
serious objections to removing the plugs; the
inconvenience that would ensue, ten hours be.
ing required for the removal of each one, and
the damage from a stoppage Of water for that
length of time, for FIVE days-the number OF
DAYS that would be required-in case OF fire.
Mr. French thought that the plugs ought to
remain as at present; they were similarly sltua-
ted in Washington; as they were, there was nc
danger to vehicles in case Of the running away
of horses the same objection that was
urged for their removal could be urged against
lamp-posts, awning posts, &c, putting every
body to great trouble and expense. lie con-
cluded by moving to lay the report upon the
table, which was agreed to.
The bill to prevent the playing Of bands IN
the streets on Sundays was laid over tor fur
Their consideration.
Mr. Seaton stated that Mr. NJ. B. Harlow
had lost a certificate for services rendered in
registration, and was informed by Messrs.
French and Markell that upon proper appca-
ton it would be renewed.
The petition Of j. W. Green to have the lot
on the north of the Washington and Ohio Kali
road depot drained, was referred.
Upon resolution to procure range Tor the
Poor House, passed by the Common Council !,
Mr. Janney said saving could be made in
baking bread at the Aims House instead OF
| lU,
Mr. French thought brick oven would be
hest as it was not every one who knew how
to manage a range.
Mr.. Corse suggested that a range would cost
$40
Mr. French thought cooking stove prefera-
BILE to range; and after some further converse
tiopal debate the resolution was referred to the
committee on the Poor With instructions to re-
port cost, &c.
The committee on Public Property were ap.
| nointed proxies to represent the Corporation
in the meetings of the Middle Turnpike Com
pany
The report of the committee on Public
Property with the resolution authorizing a
lease of the Fishwharf to Col. VIM. A. Stewart,
for five years, at an annual rental OF 81, 96l ~,
was taken up and discussed.
| Mr.. French thought the proposition an un.
wise one. If the city grew, the property would
become more profitable; then he was opposed
to tieing up this property, which in the event
| of non compliance on the part OF the lessee
or any informally in the lease, might entail a
law suit and the Corporation be put to great
trouble and expense. AS it was the rent OF the
| Fishwharf was certainty; leased for a number
of years and in the event of difficulty that
source of revenue might be cut off, as many
others had been.
Mr.. Markell thought the city would be the
gamer; the wharf would be kept in repair; if
there was any none compliance with the con-
tract, possession could be regained, and on the
whole, he warmly favored the lease.
Mr.. French thought that if the wharf would
be worth so much to Col. Stewart it would
certainly be worth as much to the Corporation
and repeated his objections to accepting the
proposition.
Mr. Seaton favored the proposition to lease
many persons had been driven away
from the city on account Of fictitious value
put upon property, and the cry that if it is
worth so much to one who desires to purchase,
it must be worth an equal amount to the hold
or had prevented the growth and improvement
of the city to great degree and kept unoc-
cupied and idle that which might otherwise
have been occupied and built up by enterprise
and capital
Mr., Markell said that the Corporation had
always been compelled in addition to the pre-
sent wharf to furnish further accommodations