Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-04-23
CITY COUNCIL.

Council was held last night For official pro-
cecdings see another column.
INTHE BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
after the reading of the minutes of the proceed
ing meeting, some resolutions, petitions, &c,
adopted by the Common Council, were cou-
The petition of a. Fl. Mott Il Bio, in regard
70 obstructing the sidewalks ON King street
w;th hacking boxes, Preferred by the Common
Council to the Committee on Streets) being
Col, French asked if the petitioner asked to
h relieved OF the hne that had been imposed ?
The chair stated that the law on the subject
was very plain.
MIR, Markell said he was opposed to mcddliug
with the acton of the Mayor in the premises.
Mr.. Seatou-The Plesident states that the
law is plain in the matter. Then why can any
body petition Council to have the law set aside
for their benefit!
The chair announced that the matter was not
nroncrly before the Board and would not be
until the committee reported.
MIR, Markell moved that the Board concur 10
the action of the Common Council.
COL French thought it would be time enough
n discuss the subject when the committee re-
pnrtrd. He was, however, in favor Of the re-
mission of the fine that had been imposed-not
Vith>tandiug it had been Incurred in violation
ofa civ ordinance he did not like to see
commerce impeded. He wished for the time
when the streets would be rendered barely pass
able by the multitude of packing boxes.
The chair informed Col. +. that there was no
law against merchant uupacking goods on the
sidewalks, but allowing the boxes to remain
there.
The action of the Common Council was con
CURED 10.
The petition Of S. S. Howison, President of
the Potomac Ferry Company, praying Council
10 erect a lamp-poS at the foot of Unlon street
and the Strand GRANTED by the Common Coun-
Hand the Committee on Lily ut directed TO make
said Improvement was read.
Gen. Corse moved concurrence.
MIR. Seatun asked if Mr.. Howson proposed
10 erect this lamp post at his own expense.
DIR. johnson: No. There is not one word in
the petition in accordance with law. The Cry
Council has no right to erect lamp posts Tor the
benefit Of private parties or corporations, as
the Orange road or the Ferry Company can land
passengers where they please and no revenue
will accrue to the city. | erected lamp
post for my convenience at cost Of only S25
and the COZ poratiou furnishes the gas used; the
Ferry company should be compelled to d, like
wise. This company had already been relieved
from its proper assessment, and now 1t came to
Council and asked it to tax people tor the rur
pose of placing gas Tampa; its slip Certain
" the Common Council are ignorant of the law
in such cases made ana provided, or they would
not acted so hastily, aud probably had Mr.:
Howson been acquainted with Ii he would
not have petitioned Council for its erection at
the expense of the city. The outlay would be
tut small amount
Gen. CorSe thought the lamp would be for
the good of all, and that it was proper for the
city to place lamps where needed.
Col. French agreed with Gen. g.. lamp posts
were erected pro bono 1ubltco OF all the
places in Alexandria where one was needed, the
loot of King street was the place. 1t was often
late when the boats arrived, and at one time 1t
was exceedingly dangerous coming ott the boats
when iauterus had to DC Used to enable people
to see where to put their feet.
Mr.. Scatou thought there was light enough
at the ferry slip. In the southern portion Of
the city the lamps were five squares apart
and persons having business there after dark
ran u risk Of walking 10 gullrys and pits at
every step He believed the reason the evil
was not T. mcdied was because the dcnlzcns Of
that locality were poor. He had ofen come
down on the last boat at night, and never had
any trouble No exception should be made III
Mr.. llowson 5 case.
DR.. johnson said he would never consent to
eranting the petition; he was opposed to
''gre;lsug fat SOW" Let Michael Smith pc
titlon Council for the erection of lamp on has
corner. whore one was needed He was OPP.
posed to the injustice Of this petition. y pow
erul monopoly, it would charge fifty cents
piece on all the passcngcrs it transports were II
not for the railroad and its opposition. The
corporation had already reduced the taxation
-t this company and made others, Tar less able,
pay their iull quota.
Mr. Seaton moved that tie petition DC laid
o, the table.
DIR. johnson said he was in favor Of granting
permission to put it up at the company's OK
pense, the corporation TO lurnlSh the gas and
keep the lamp in order.
Gen. Corse defended Mr.. Howson's motive
in prtitioning Council for the erection of the
LAMP and said if Mr. H. had known the law
he would have checrfuly Complied with It,
1t was finally agreed that the ferry company
should erect the lamp on the usua! terms.
A resolution (passed by the Common Coun-
cn directing the City Surveyor to ascertain the
probable cost Of repairing Pitt street north,
making the proper drainage, &c, Was read.
COL Freuch moved that the resolution be laid
on the table, and the whole matter indefinitely
postponed,
DR.. johnson objected Council wanted light
on this matter, and the resolution Was proper
Col. French said this matter had been argued
before in this Board and similar resolution to
the one under consideration had been passed,
but silently laid over in the Common Coun-
GU He was tired Of being contcmptuouSly
treated, aud was therefore in favor OF ndeti-
mrly p"stpouing the matter.
Ut. johnson said there was no resemblance
peI|Sen the resolution now before the Board
nuu IN, IN one referred to by Col. /. Retaliation
mas me law Of war, not of peace. If the Com
, I:u bSounri' had tabled resolution passed 10y
5' ,S board 1t had perfect right to do so, and
actin 'o' "'' WV "
,.ur' simpson Mr.. French 10 the chair said
"aeu 'ht Second Ward asked anything of the
iItt'i"ra'lon lt.waS generally treated this way.
~ tney asked fish they were given a serpent,