Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-07-10
CITY COUNCIL.

S1tH SO1 Null.
4 regular meeting of the City Council was
held last night For official proceedings see
another coulmn. !.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The President having announced the stand
ing committees for the year,
Mr. Underwood introduced the following
resolution. supporting it by his reasons for be
lieviug l6 sufficient number for the Police
Resolced, That for the purpose OF trying to
effect some small retrenchnient in our city ex
| penses, believing that the increase OF education
and sobriety juslifes the experiment, the num-
Der of private members Of the 20 Ice force be
reduced to sixteen.
He thought the wards Of the city in better
condition than heretofore, and the amount Of
drinking materially lessened. Education had
increased, and with it habits Of good order pre-
vailed He wished, he said, to bear witness 10
the fidelity Of both che State aud city superD-
tendents of educat!.,n, and gave examples of
other cities as large as this, where good order
the result OF abstinence, prevailed to such Il de
! gree as to render police force unnecessary II
he were in the Legislature he would pass law
that would compel retailers of ardent spirits tG
make monthly returns under oath Of the guam
tity sold, and these sales should DC taxed This,
he thought, would bring the Statea revenue Of
| fifty millions. Crlme, paupersn, and drink go
together, and when the last is suppressed the
others are greatly diminished ~.
The resolution Was Withdrawn, to give place
to the FiDance Committed report on the fiscal
operations OF the city for the past year. which
was read and received
The Revenue till was then taken up. and
Mr. French urged action on it Immediately.
Mr. johnson thought there was plenty of
time. He asked what was the outstanding debt
of the CITY,
1t was replied that in round numbers the
debt Of the city was but little short Of one mil
| lion.
Mr. johnson proceeded to give his views on
the subject OF fnance and reputation at length.
Mr. Freuch 1.-THE lower Board had in the
Board had adjourned as he had hoped soue
provision for the payment of the July interest
on the city debt would have been made.
Considerable discussion arose at this point as
to the merits of the bill under consideration,
when its reading was resumed.
The section taxing prize gilt shows $50 being
read,
Mr. johnson moved to mike this 500. He
thought such shows should be excluded from
the community. lie subsequently moved that
the tax he increased to $500
Mr. French said the object Of revenue bill
was TO raise money. As long as We have child
rem they will be amused you prohibit these
shows from coming here you simply cut of
several hundred dollars FROM the city treasury.
Mr. Johnson replied, saying that he dcencd
it his duty to protect the people from being
dupcd by the prize gift exhibitors.
Mr. French call,.,i for the ayes aud noes.
Mr. John>on-Ihc ayes and nays YOU mean.
Mr. French refused to accept the correction
of his grammar.
Mr.. Simpson expressed himself As opposed
10 these gift enterprises, and was endorsed By
| Mr. Underwood who was opposed TO them be-
cause he thought them Il species Of gambling.
The vote being taken the amendment WAS
lost
Mr. johnson proposed to amend by inserting
500.
The President the vote being taken, an
nounced the amendment adopted
The reading of the bill being resumed, Mr..
johnson objected to the clause adding ten per
cent additional for failure to make payment
within thirty days after tue tax bills were print
ed He thought the time ought to be extend
ed to six mouths He proceeded to give his
views at length on the subject Of bond holders
aud bonds.
Mr.. French replied, defending the bill.
There was not pulsaton OF his heart that did
not sympathise with the laborng man. The
very clause OBJECTED to as discrimination
against the poor was inserted for their benefit.
He elaborated the views Of the committee and
defended its action.
Mr.. johnson replied, and
Mr. Markell moved that the ten per cent he
added after October lst.
Mr.. johnson refused to accept the amend
mcnt.
The amendment was lost on division Of two
in favor TO five against
Mr. Markell changed his motion to % days
after the bills went into the Collectors hands.
Mr.. johnson moved to insert five per cent
instead Of ten.
Mr.. Markell suggested that as money was
worth ten per ceut, 10 one would pay if five
was inserted.
Mr.. French again defended the BILL and
showed the Importance of protecting the credit
Of the.city.
Mr.. Markets. motion was lost, and the bill
Was passed, Mr. johnson only voting III the
negative.
The Salary bill was next taken up.
Mr.. johnson moved that the salary of the
Auditor be fixed at $500 Instead of 81 900. as
in the bill.
Mr.. French gave the reasons of the commit
| tee 1Or making the salary Sl,VU Inc uulieS
Of the Auditor had been greatly increased by
the new Jury system the sinking fund. aud
other business The Auditor dsburScd last
year nearly 100000, and he thought him an
i'll paid man.
Mr.. johnson replied. and was corrected by
Mr.. Markell as to some of his statements.
| Mr. French thought man fitted for a posi-
ton the best man for such position. The pres
ent Auditor, he was satisfied. had saved thous
ands Of dollars to the city, and mentioned in
stances in which he had corrected the mistakes
of many of his predecessors. Is it not economy
to keep such man and pay him a reasonable
salary?
The President called attention to the frequent
deviations OF members from the question under
debate.
The amendment was lost by vote of three
to FIVE.
MIR. Markell moved 70 fix The salary of the