Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-27
CITY COUNCIL.

CITY COUNCIL.
regular .emi-monthly meeting of the City
Council was held last night.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
When the Board met there were but six
members present, but in short time the other
two came IN.
The resolution appointing commissioners of
election adopted at the last meeting of the Com
mon Council was concurred in.
The salary bill was then taken up and the
clause fixing the commission to be allowed the
Collectors, passed over.
The salary Of the Chief Engineer Of the Fire
Department was fixed at $50; Commissioner Of
the Revenue $3.50: Treasurer of Corporation
5000, Clerk of Common Council $500; and Mes
senger Of Common Council 5000.
Mr.. Lawson, moved to reduce the salary of
the Clerk of the Board of Aldermen from 5000
to $3.50, which was lost by tie vote and the
salary then continued at 5000 by vote of 4
to-.
The salary of the Messenger Of the Board of
Aldermen was retained at 5000; and of the
Physicians to the Poor at 500 each and 25 cents
for vaccination; Steward Of Offices 5000.
DR.. French desired to know if the Office of
clerk of the committee on light and Superinten-
dent of the Gas Works could not be CONSOLIDATE
ed thereby saving the salary Of the Clerk, but
being informed that it would require separate
action to consolidate the Offices,
Mr. Moore moved to reduce the salary of
the Clerk to $500, which was adopted, Messrs.
Janney and Latham voting In the negative
Clock, was continued at $3.50, and Of the Keeper
~ Tho poor's Houae at S4in
The clause fixing the percentage to be allow
ed the Collectors of Taxes was then taken up,
and
DR.. French introduced bill consolidating
the Offices, having but one Collector with de-
putty and allowing II per cent
DR.. johnson thought there would be 70
economy 10 abolishing one Collector; had better
abolish both and pay directly to the Treasurer.
The object of having Collectors was that they
should 70 round and call on the people tor
their taxes and not sit in their Office and have
people come to them.
Mr.. Moore asked what amount the Colleo-
tors received for their services.
DIR. French answered, about So, 400.
MIR. Moore moved to reduce the percentage
to per cent. which was adopted, Messrs. La
tive The bill was then passed, ayes 6. noes,
Messrs. Latham aud johnson.
The bill appropriatipg the revenue tor the
wear ending May 3st, 1875, was passed with
ont debate, as it came from the Common
Council.
The resolution adopted by the Common
Council for the purchase of the Relief Engine
House, provided proper title can be given,
was passed.
The Common Council resolution in reference
to detaching police officer to assist the Cap
tain OF the chain gang was opposed by DR.. John
son, who said that there was already law to
meet the case, and it was laid on the table.
Similar action was taken upon resolution from
the Common Council! in regard to letting out the
cleaning of the streets by contract, DIR. John.
son saying that he supposed that the proposer
of the resolution did not know that Law al
ready in existence, made ample provision IN
the premises.
The petition Of Dr. B. Browo for extra COM
pensatiou for services rendered the poor OF the
johnson, by refusing to permit the Finance
Committee to act IN the matter, ana tnen
passed.
The resolution 10 reference to the trunk on
Princess street was referred to DR.. French and
Mr. Moore, whom were appointed on COM
mittee of conference, the Board refusing to
concur in the action of the Common Council.
The petition of Mr.. w. N. McVeigh for re-
lief from the demands of the city for taxes on
certain of his property was referred.
A bill for laying sewer on the north side OF
King street from Pitt to Union, with branches,
was opposed by DR.. johnson and MIR. Latham.
DR.. French was willing that the experiment
should be tried, but the bill was finally laid
over.
The Revenue bill, reenacting the bill of
last year, and imposing a penalty of an ad-
ditioual 10 per Ct. for non payment OF taxes
after the expiration of 80 days, liking the tax
for selling liquor to be drunk on the premises
at $50, and thetax on commission and forward
ing merchants, and ship brokers at $50, was
taken up, when,
um as illegal and unjust, and the Common
Council as wrong 10 re-enactlug bill instead
of preparing one de novO.
DR.. French explained the. bill and contendcd
that the penalty was legal and that the bill was
proper.
Mr.. Latham objected to the 80 days as too
short aud said that the committee had rather
shirked the responsibility of introducing bill
which would have shown the full amount that
had to be levied He would have preferred
that there should have been discount tor
prompt payment.
DR.. johnson was. opposed to paying full In
terest and wanted the boDdholders SWORD as to
the amount that they paid for their bonds, and
upon that sum only interest to be paid He was
for forcing compromise.
MIR. Latham said he had copy of last year S
bill, aud that it could be examined and acted
upon, but
% motion of Dr.. French the Board, at 10
o'clock, adjourned till Tuesday night next.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The attendance, last night, both within aud
without the bar was much smaller than is usual
The following communication from the At
,orney of the Corporation was read:
To the Honorable City Council Of Alexandria :
Although [ am satisfied that the opinion OF
the Supreme Court of the United States, sub
mtted by me at the last session OF the Council,
would authorize the levy of taxes upon the H.
.crest or profits of the foreign bond holders OF
the Cornoration 7 vet think II would be eCDe-