Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-29

to the city by nattentou to the duties OF the
Office. He concluded by muviug to make the
salary OF the Mayor $500
A motion previously made By DR. johnson
to strike out the fee for collection of licenses be-
ing seconded,
Dr. johnson said he did not want man Tor
Mayor who would be bouncing down upon
every body like duck on June bug for the
purpose Of picking up little hues, but he want
ed dgufcd man who could live without the
salary. He did not want a mao elected who
merely wanted the Office for the salary. Ii vas
u petty place anyhow, aud h" wanted to seek
man for the pysltlnn AMI dill not want to be
whipped into supporting any particular luan.
Mr.. Latham said consistency was jewel,
aud accused DIR. johnson of Inconsistency. and
replied TO his remarks 10 reference TO men
wanting the Office. He was open and above
board and did not sneak around asking in CO.
vert manner for finger in the pie. The MGyor
should be uau who would eDiorce the law
irrespective Of persons and be perfectly Jude
pendent, remaining IN his Office ar least
five or SIX hours each day, and giving his su-
pcrvision TO all the other offices. When ne
was Mayor he had performed his duty lmpar
italy. His salary was sufficient to permit hlS
giving his time to the duties OF the office, aud
he knew as much Of the condition OF the streets
as the Superintendent OF Police. he was tor
holding the Mayor above the trucking OF trade
and it should be the pride OF the city to put a
mau there who would do his whole duty to the
office and the people He concluded by NOV
lug 10 lay the bill GU the table uutil the next
meeting, which motion prevailing,
On motion OF DR.. French, the Board a, 1920
adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
A few spectators outside the bar aud eleven
members OF Couucii were in Attendance at the
opcuiup of the regular meeting of the Council
last uight.
The Committee 90 Light submitted areport
from the Supcriuteudcnt relative to The deiap-
idated c,udillou OF the Gas Works
MIR Eichberg explained that there wa rresS-
iug uce1 of repairs at the Gas Works. U"less
they were made the whole city might some
night be suddenly left in darkness.
The salary bill, the same as last year, was
read aud adopted without debate, the first
time that it has been SO passed Tor twcnty;wu
years. 1t appeared, however, that only eleven
members were present, twelve being required
to pass b'll on the same night OF It's lntruduc-
ton, aud before the vote was ANNOUNCED the
President changed his vote, and moved to re-
consider, which was agreed to, and the blll land
aside until the next meeting or uut tWeiVc
memoirs should represent. At later period
when twelve members were present the blil
was passed unanimously.
Mr.. Mckenzie, from the Finance Commit
tee, reported the tax till for 1874, and explain
ed some OF its provisions. Ii is with one or
two EXCEPTIONS the same as last year.
The President inquired if it was Intended ~
the Finance Committee to press the passage ot
the tax bill Of last year.
Mr. Mckenzie said that he hal, 10 making
the report, followed the direction OF the com
nttee He had an amcnumcut which he should
offer to the effect that the tax on all coumlsslnn
or shipping merchants be $50, and this SHOULD
be the only tax levied on such merchants | !he
tax last year was $50 and one per ct. on all
commissions recelvcd.) Mr.. Nick. explained
that the tax bill OF this year was an exact copy
of that of last year except AS to liquor auu
tax of 81 on the $500 upon all stock, Including
Corporation stock.
The Corporation Attorney was Invited to
give his opinion asto the right to taNcty stock
In the hands Of nou residents
The Corporation Attorney said he would call
the attention OF Couuci to this fac, that When
Mr. Mckenzie railroad office was on Prtc;
street, lie, the Attorney, Mr.. Monroe, Ar.
Funston, with Mr.. Mckenzie, members Of the
City Council, framed tnaucc bill, which taxed
the revenue trom Corporation stock ln all
hands. This bill went before Judge Tyler III
suit to test the legality Of the tax. and he suS-
tanned the law, as did the Court OF Appeals 90
the case being carried up.
| Mr.. Mckenzie said that all that was true in
1855, but this was 1874. He read extracts from
an Opinion OF the Supreme Court to the effect
that owing to the special working OF The bahk
act National Bank stock might be taxed 10 the
hands of nou-residents. Mr.. Mck. was conl
deut that over half a million OF bouds were
held here upon which no tax was levied. lie
knew men who hold ten. twenty, or thirty
Thousand dollars, and yet MAKE 20 returns,
Over 1856, 600 were returned here yet more thar
that was lost recently by the failure OF two
foreign railroad compa;ies. 1t was known now
that men here holding CORPORATION stuck sent
it to Washington to have the coupons returned
from there Some people are meao enough to
do this 10 defraud the Commonwealth out OF
So on each bond The difficulty with the Cor
polation Attorney was that he did not kno"
that we had war. Let him go to Washington
aud examine the decisions Of the Supr me
Court aud he would fad tuat this stock could
not be taxed.
The 6uance bill was laid over and the Cor
poratiou Attorney was requested TO prepare au
opinion as to the legality OF tax on Corporation
stock. ~
Mr. Mckenzie then reported from the Fl
nance COMMITTEE bill making appropriations
for the uext 6,al year, which he explained
Mr.. Mex. spoke at some length opposing the
lavish expenditure, which, he thought, had
characterized the Councils since the town had
been called city. He iustanc"d especial the
large additions to the cost of cleaning and re-
nairing the streets, aud thought that the fixing
BY appropriation of the sums to be >pent would
aid in reducing the expenditures.
MIR. Shiuu called attention to the fact that
while only 50 500 was appropriated tor repairs
of the streets it was already understood that
| Union street would have to DC repavad anu he
repairs OF that street would cost more than the
whole of that sum.
Mr.. Mckenzie said that he supposed that
that street would be pu: in the hands OF the