Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-13
Tic Escycn,,e rs;irt

was held last night for the purpose of consider
Ing and passins-thc Revenue bill for the next
year. All the members were present except
Judge Underwood.
The bill! was taken up as soon as the Board
organized, and read by sections.
Dir. johnson thought there should be no
haste in passing the bill; he contcndcd that tho
outgoing Council had no right to leglslato for
the incoming Council, and that if the bill be-
came law it would entail innumcrable suits on
the city. If, however, it vas to pass he de-
sired it 50 amended that the tax on real estate
should he one mill and two tenths on every
$500 OF value: i'll addition, for Improvement
PURPOSES Il
ucl. French urged the immediate passage of
the bill on the ground that a revenue to meet
The obligations of the Corporation must be
raised, the interest on S2.000,0o0 being due on
the lst Ct January In reference to the pro.
posed bill for the establishment OF a Board OF
Public w orks, he thought it conhicted with
the Constitution Of the State. L ~
Dr. johnson contendcd that the bill did not
conflict with tho Constitution, and declared that
unless his amendment was adopted the bill
would not pass the lower Board. H..
Col. French was not to be dictated to as to
his course lie was acting for the sood OF the
city, and threats had no terrors Tor hun. Lie
was proceeding when, ~
Dr.. johnson rose and proposed that If Col;
French would resign at once, he (Dr. j. would
10 likewise. -
Col FreDch-I accept the proposition heartily,
ap,! then sad that if nc thought matter right
he would act. He was opposed to incorporating
Board of Public Works in the bill, and SAID
yhat il was important that this bill should pass
IN order that the employees of the Corporation
could be paid what was due them; lie relte-
rated his willingness TO resign With tho mem
Der from the Sd Ward.
Mr.. Seaton commended tfat the outgoing
Council had no right to lcgislate for their sue
ccSsDr#.
Upon the question being taken the amend
lnc"t was lost. 49,,
DR.. johnson said there was but little time
for this Beard to air their clUquenco, and be
wanted to have a little talk.
Col. Frcnch-(ict through this matter and
tall; afterwards. ... .. ....
Upon the section forbidding the sale ofliquor
on Sunday,
Or. Johnson cohtcndcd that such provision
would be imperative, aud could not be enforced.
Il, was in favor Of u Sunday liquor law, but
wanted the question submitted to the people.
He was no dcluagoguc, but had won his posi-,
ton bv his lrankucss and open advocacy Or
condemnation of any and all measures. In his
opinion this liquor question should not be made
:. ryunclr,l question, and he said that Mr..
SirpSun had lost his election by ITS. introduce
tom and had been beaten on both sides. :
Mr.. Simpson, in reply, said that whenever
the subject Of !, proper observance OF the Sab
b.tn cane up, and the prevention OF the sale of
.ioj,or GU that day, he would be always found
adyucatiilu it, lie deemed it his duty to pro-
t,,ct rs i.r rs lie could the morals OF the young
me, believed that closing the restaurants! on
Saturday, and preventing the sale OF liquor. on
that day would be II step 10 the right direction.
r. Tic yi,Iaton OF the Sabbath was to be allow
cd. and the members failed to do their duty IN
;ha ,,reu1i.cs lchabed would. be written on
our civ, and our glory would in reality have
,!enartti. He knew that in the primary cleo
tiyi) IL: had bcen defeated on account OF his adj
yn,s..,; Of the Sunday law, and regretted such Il
state of affairs, but said that the result had
been brought about not by the voice Of the bet
ter class Of his constituents, butby persons who
had put little, if any interest in the Ward or
the city; however, he was not to be deferred from
doing his duty. DO"
Mr.. Scaton thought that if o license was
granted an ;,natclucnt Of iittytwo Gays should
;,c made. lie VAS, however, 10 favor of Sun
day law. During MS remarks Que of the horses
in the Iiy.lraulion engine house fell, and its
loud u,uans attracted The attention Of the spec
l;.torS in The room, who, with one accord,
rushed out, causing much confusion.
The prohbitOry clause was adopted.
When the section taxing dogs was up,
i!r. Scaton objected to taxing u female dog
more than i malc, as 4 dog was. a dog, and
move! :. reduction Of the tax from 81 and - to
- cts. and 81, which was lost.
Alr. French asked Mr., Seaton to be brief in
his remarks.
Or. johnson sail that he Was opposed to
this. lie wanted to debate aud intended to
talk as much as he pleased. .. .
Upon The proposed tax Of S25 on green
grccrrs, DR., Johnson said that such u tax
could nQt lie collected; that it was oppressive
and prevented the sale OF purchase OF country
produce by the merchants, aud would give the
huck>i"rs Il monopoly. =
Col. French and Mr.. Markell explained that
the clause in the bill did nothing Of the Sort
and ii was adopted
The bill was then passed, and now goes to
the Conmon Council tor action at Its next
meeting
Just after the chair had decided the Board
ai.huIH1u,
Dr. johnson said hccwas now ready to resign
if COL Frcach would hand III his resignation.
Col. French DECLINED upon the ground that
by so doing DR.. johnson would have accomp-
ished his Object, which was to defeat the
Revenue bill, while he (Col. E.. had duty
10 perform in seeing that it passed Alter that
however, he would willingly comply with DR..
}. s proposition, and doubtless the community
Wpud h, dcIirhtu1 ".E#'.
The mcmbcrs then left the chamber.
In nl.mitting the Revenue bill, Col French
i,!,o submitted the following estimates of the
expeud lures and receipts Of the Corporation
for The year, upon which the committee had
based the provisions Of the bill ) -, .->-
.ln,ount rcc<e>~arn 10 jcroiSei for Mencrt fScdI
ycGr, c,sainy May 3lyt 1874:
INT on u?o changed CerpUrationstoc Sc, 9S3 So
Back Interest uncalic,l for for years i.
on small am0unts+of stock. T. 4,3E %
Intarrs: "ccrl!ing on stock and bonds
Tor next fiscal year, .'.,, .1't! W pH CJ
Over due Corp ..tiun bonds, .tft. r $50 w
j. ,enr,rf .iun l;- jtn,n =, IL 81. an n;hiic