Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-10-29
City Council.
regular semi-monthly meeting Of the City
r,nrc was held last night.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The Board was called to order at 7:40 o clock,
ami after the reading of the minutes of the
last stated meeting,
\ resolution was offered appropriating sum
.,,hcient for the purchase of wood for the use
ot the poor Of the city
DR.. Johnson opposed the passage of the re-
sontiou on the ground that it was customary
~ wal, until the Mayor suggested this appro-
nr;a,iou. II Council commenced buying wood
- early it would cost more than the city was
really able to devote to this purpose and, in
his opinion. there should also be proper sp-
n,rrioumcnt 10 the distribution Of the wood, as
Ii, jIhe 3d. Ward was the largest 10 the city
i contained necessarily a greater number of in
jirpeut people !: yet the Overseers of the Poor
in that Ward generally granted one third less
nerluits than those OF either Of the others. He,
therefore, hoped the resolution would lay over
until proper superintendent was made, as
il would be no economy In commencing
50 soon anyhow. He was, however, opposed to
keeping the poor out of fuel one day longer
han was really necessary: He moved that the
resolution be laid over.
This motion was carried
4 resolution from L. Geutzbergcr praying
that Council privilege him to raise the grade of
the pavement in front of his premises, at the
corner of King and Pitt streets, in order to ef-
feet proper drainage during heavy rains was
received from the Common Council.
Dr. johnson SAID it was unfortunate for him
70 be Compelled 10 again object to the granting
Of this petition. He said the object of the City
Surveyor was to have, as near as possible, all
the paycmcn,S Of the same grade, and 1t was
apparcnt to all ii Council privileged everybody
n fix the grades iu front of their premises to
spit themselves the streets of the city would
ere long present an uns ght,y appearance. Now,
~ he understood it, MIR. Genlzberger desired
TO raise his pavement about seven inches,
which, of course, during rain storms would
cause the side walks above and below his own
n he flooded, as the water would, in conse-
ouence Of the UNUSUAL height of his pavement,
rnn off on those of his neighbours There
should be some regularity in this matter, as Of
ten the dir,c,ous of the Surveyor We're ignor-
cd his pegs removed aud the pavemeDts ar
ranged to suit the ideas of those having the
work done All such matters should be refer
red to the City Surveyor, as he was regular
bonded officer of the city.
Mr.. Moore said, DR.. j. did not understand
the purport of the petition he merely wanted
the grade of his pavement to be placed on a
level with those above aud below him.
The action of the Common Council, after
some further explanation was concurred 10.
\ resolution from the Common Council au-
thorizing the Committee on the Poor to have
the necessary repairs made to the Aim House
was than read.
DR.. johnson said the Board of Aldermen
had at a recent meeting passed similar reso-
work be done by contract, which was the prop
er mode of procedure in tho premises. The
custom of referring such matters to commit
te was by 90 means prudent, and should be
stopped. That there are repairs needed TO
that building which cannot be done by contract
is the excuse urged in vindication of the pre-
sent resolution but such excuse is an absurdi
". The Committee GU Poer could easily take
Que or two carpenters, repair to the Poor 3
House, explain what they wanted done and as
ccrtail the cost 10 a very short tune aud this
should be done Immediately, as the repairs
we're much needed He moved that the Board
adhere to its former action. which motion was
carried
An Invitation was at this point extended
the Board by the Common Council to unite in
lut session tor the purpose OF filling vacancies
% the police force.
DR.. French moved that the invitation be ac-
c.pted, aud the Board repair to the chamber
vt the Common COuDcll.
Dr.. johnson regretted that be should have
to object to this action too. One policeman
had been dismissed and another had resigned,
and there was always suthcIeocy OF ready
men to take vacant places, and there was there
fore no occasion for such promptness IN the mat
ter. The force should be reduced anyhow, as
the city in auto beum days was guarded but
by four policemen ; now twenty-0ne were EN-.
no
wards accomplishing this object. Tunes were
hard and pauicky, and it was with great trou-
BILE and exertion that money enough was COL
hcted from taxpayers to meet the expenses OF
the CORPORATION. He hoped the invitation
sou!d not be accepted, as time should be allow
I'd to consider the proprety of reducing the
force 1t cost the city $4,000 year at pre-
J &ut
Judge Underwood heartily concurred in the
vns. cutertaioed by DR.. j. No one could
to1u but that Alexandria was worn down by
rg,yMive taxation, and any proposition which
yJuil tend to retrenchmeut should be properly
tu,lcred. He averred that in his estimation
t4x,ou was as excessive here as in Washing
lon.
The invitation was not accepted.
pom resolution from the CommoD Coun-
ell being read requesting the Mayor TO inform
council why he allowed portlous OF the track
Oh Henry street to be torn up and carried II
! by nOu-residents of the city,
Dr. johnson said he thought the resolution
should lie over. This affair had terminated as
! he predicted it would. Instead of the Board
Of Public Works carrying out the provisions OF
the resolution winch had been adopted by the
CIy Council, aud tearing up the rails forthwith,
they had held meeting (subordinates, as they
are to Counci) and deferred action, thus allow.
og foreigners time to come into the heart OF
our city aud carry off $500 worth of railroad
non. lie held the Mayor to be entrely blam' :,
es< IN the matter, as Judge Keith had granted
Anjuuctlou restraining the city from TAX
log charge OF it, aud Of course the parties
ua4er arrest had to be liberated. The proper
way would be to revoke the resolution now be-
"Fe the Board, and empower somebody to pro-
yea forthwith to remove the rails, as the track
u question was great nuisance to residents OF
Iadt locality and h al cauSaa propartv IN Hem