Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-25

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The seat of every member was filled, and
Immediately after the reading of the minutes of
the last meeting,
The Salary bill, passed BY the Common Coun-
ell on the 10Th, was taken up.
COL French could not vote for the clause re-
ducinr the salary of the Mayor to $500, be-
cause he considered it unconstitutional, and III
violation of the city charter. He did not thiuk
that the salary could be fixed after the election,
and thought it might be considered political
move, the Mayor being of one shade Of politics
while the Council was of another. He moved
That the clause be amended by inserting $500
and - per ct. commission on licenses collected
the present salary.
DR.. Johnson contended that the Mayors
salary could be fixed previous to the installa-
tiop of that officer but was 10 favor OF the in
coming Council arranging the salary bill for the
new officers.
Col. French again interposed his objection
principally upon the ground of the political eff.
feet to be produced.
DR. johnson did not believe that any parti-
zau feeling would be epgendcred. MIR. Latham,
he said had been defeated on account of person
Al uppupularity, aud not on account OF his po-
lt;cai afinities or any act of the Conservative
party
The vote was then taken on the amendment
and il was loSt-ayes 4. noes 4.
The clause fixing the salary at $500 and ,!
ncr ct. commission on licenses, was then adopt
ed-ayeS ). noes 5.
The clause fixing the Auditors salary at
81 900 was objected to by Mr. Markell, who
moved to reduce it to $500.
Col. French advocated 81 900 on account Of
the competency and qualifications OF the iu-
cumbent.
The amendment was lost-aycs, Messrs
johnson and Markell; noes 6.
The clause fixing the salary of the Clerk Of
the Market at 5000 was opposed by DIR. JohD-
son, who favored the former salary with a per-
ceutage for the collection of rents, &c, upon
the ground that it would incite the officer to
greater diligence 10 his collections
Col. French favored $500.
DIR. johnson said he was not partial to the
percentage system except that he thought It
was discrimination in favor of the Clerk OF
the Market, and 5000 was retained.
The bill was then read through and no fur
Their objections being made, the goth rule was
suspended, and the bill put upon its passage
and passed-ayc :. no, MIR. Seaton.
The bill exempting manufactures from taxa
ton for ten years, was taken up, but being OBJ
iected to by COL French, who said he could not
vote for it in its present shape. although favor
able to the policy, was, on his motion, laid on
the table.
The resolution looking to transfer Of the
Court House to the city for school purposes
was read
Dr. johnson opposed it on the ground that
the city had no right to abandon the property,
and had ouIy done so from caprice and whinl.
He was for letting the Court House alone or it
would entail law suit, aud the city would be
certain to lose He moved the reference of the
subject to the Committee on Schools.
Col. Freuch favored the adoption of the res
olu,iou Which he did not see could possibly pro
duce law suit, as it only provided tor pre-
liminary arrangements with the County Super
visors for transfer.
DIR. johnson again contended that law
suit would be inevitable if the resolution was
passed.
The motion to refer was lost, and the action
of the Common Council concurred 10.
A petition of Messrs. K. Kemper, G. +.
Suite and others for the abatement Of an al
legged nuisance in the ringing of locomotive
bells and blowing of whistles on ST. Asaph
street, with the report of the committee recom-
meudiug the repeal Of the law on the subject
so far as concerns the Alexandria and Wash
ington Railroad, so as not to permit the noise
complained of, was read.
Col. French and Dr. johnson regretted their
inability to support the report and alter express
ing their doubts as to the propricty or justice
of such course, the subject was laid on the
table,
A petition from the owners of the dock at
the south end of King street, complaining of
alleged Instructions, and consequent damage to
the property, by the placing of turn table tor
the city passenger railway ut the head OF the
dock, was received, read and referred.
The bill for the gradual Improvement OF the
streets Of the city, referred by the Common
Council to special committee, was read and
laid on the table
DR.. johnson called up the bill establishing a
Board of Public Works, and explained its pro-
visions and objects.
Col. French thought that 10 as much as the
bill from the Common Council had been laid
over, this one should be similarly disposed OF.
recurring that repairs in each Ward should be
paid for by the Ward. 1t used to be SO.
Col. French again urged that the bill be laid
over.
DIR. johnson again favored immediate action.
Mr.. Scaton moved to amend the bill by re-
curing that the expenditures in each Ward he
assessed to the Ward 10 which the improve
ment is made. Adopted.
DIR, johnson moved further to amend by
giving the proposed Board the right to petition,
Tor further amendments to the bill, il 1t should
be found that its present provisions were made,
quate, and Council should SO amend II deemed
advisahe-adopted.
Col. French thought it would be discourte-
Gus to act on this bill after laying the one from
the Common Council on the table.
Dr. johnson Insisted upon prompt action.
The two bills, while aiming TO accomplish the
same end we're very dissmilar in their pro-
visions, and the passage of this one would not
be in any manner discourteous
Col. French thought both bills ought to be
referred, so that the good features III each could
be Incorporated in one bill and then acted upon.
DR.. johnson said that if not acted upon now
nothing could be done for year, and he there
lore hoped this bill would be passed now