Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-14
CITY COUNCIL.
The regular semi-moothiy meeting Of the
C;tv Council was held last night. ara ~


Citv Council was held last night.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The appointed hour having arrived for the
meeting Of the Board, aud the President not
being present,
called TO the chair.
Richard Henry Lyles, the newly elected
member from the Fourth Ward being present,
advanced and WAS duly sworn in, aud took his
seat as member of the Board
Mr. Jauney, the President, then entered the
room, aud after few minutes time arose and
sad there was subject which had been on his
mind for some time, and one In which he beieV-
ed he had been derelict, viz: in not imposing
the prescribed fine Of one dollar on members
when they failed to attend the meetings oil the
Board. Often it was almost impossible to trans
act business 10 consequence Of the small attend
ance 1t took SIX to pass an act and live TO
pass resolution, and if one member dissented
when there were but five present Of course a
resolution was lost aud business was much im-
peded He WAS CONSCIOUS Of the fact that this
penalty should be enforced, but the question
ia his mind was, who would be the proper per-
SOD to euforcei,2 He had been told by Dr..
French that it was in the power Of the Presi-
dent of the Board to exact this fine; but he
had his doubts about it. The law did not say
who should Impose this foe; merely that the
delinquent member should be hned, and 10 his
opiu,oo the Board should order the tiDe. He
would give notice now that II 1t was decided
that the power was invested 10 hun as Presi-
dent Of OF the Board, ne would see that it was
iuforced hereafter At certain hour be would
order the clerk to to enter fine against any
member or members who might be absent 1t
Was futile to attempt to do business 1t mem
bers proposed to absent themselves so fire.
quently Often he would have to send for Mr..
Lawson in order to obtain bare quorum, and
there was John Seaton, who did not attend
once 10 three weeks People ought not to al
low themselves to be elected if they did not
Intend being present at the meetings OF the
Board.
MIR. Latham read the rule of the City Couu-
Gil providing for the fine in question, and said
it was perfectly clear to him that the power
was invested III the President to assess the foe.
Ifa member was out of town or sick, the Board
would excuse him. John Seaon was generally
out of town wbeu absent from meeting.
Mr.. Seaton said he was very glad to see MIR.
Jauuey acting thus; but was sorry to say that
were the rule enforced to- night Mr. j. would
be the first member fined, as he had arrived
late and 10 furry. Mr. Janncy had asserted
that John Seaton attended once in three weeks.
He came when be could, as be knew it was
his place to do so, and had sacrificed five dol
lars iu coming tonight. Mr.. j. had come 10
late aud attacked hun, probably to avert any
ceusure upon hiuselt for derection. Now
when he (Seaton) was not present he Was out
of the city, and certainly had legal excuse,
aud it was not right to make target OF him
only. Why not seud for him when making UP
quorum. The President sent for MIR. Law
SOU He (Seaton) was member as we'll as
Mr.. L.
Mr.. Janney-W We could not seed out to Hunt
log Creek.
Mr.. Seaton-The messenger receives pay for
such service
Mr.. Jauney-Before the messenger could 60
to Hunting Greek aud return 1t would be time
to adjourn. | have every consideration tor
your situation. | know man 10 Government
employ is not his own master. was employ
ed III Washington myself tor nineteen years.
But hope when you can you will be here.
Mr. Januey then offered a resolution ex-
emptiug the Mount Vernon Cotton Factory
trom taxation for the year 1873, provided the
operatives be kept in employment for the pc
rod Of three months after the passage OF the
resolution, aud made some remarks favorlug
its passage, saying among other things, that
il kept the poor IN employment, and obVlated
the necessity of the city or private parties sup
porting them.
Mr. Seatou said he had some time ago been
10 favor of remittDg this tax, but upon rtfec-
ton had changed his views. He owned % or
81 smail houses and shantlcs III this city, winch
we're occupld by poor people, aud despite all
his Efforts he could not realize enough from
them 10 pay the taxes, anu had often put MS
baud 10 his pocket and given some OF them
lnOuey to huy peck ct meal to Keep theui
IRON starving. Now it was proposed to ex-
emm the taxes on the Cotton Factory because
the interests of poor people we're Involved.
Way not Oh the same prlucple exempt him
FROM taxes Oh these shauties occupied by such
people, most OF whom are unable 10 pay rent?
1t was establishing bad precedent. MIR. w hue,
c,ustablu of the First Ward, alter great deal
Of cxcrtiun, had collected four dollars rent from
the teuants OF these twenty-five or thirty
houses ..
Mr.. Latham seconded the resolution.
DR.. johnson opposed its passage, aud SAID,
according TO the constitution, it would be ile-
gal. He had just as much right to ask exemp-
ton for his property as the Cotton Factory.
Mr. Latham said enough Tor the day was
the evil thereof. 1t would be time enough to
talk when other petitions were presented; SAID
he regretted the change which had come over
the spirit of Scatonss dreams, and spoke at
length in favor of the resolution.
Mr. Lawson opposed the passage of the reso-
luton.
DR.. johnson said lie did not want to see the
Cotton Factory suspend operations, and he
would place $50 dollars on his desk as his part
towards deiraylng the taxes 90 1t. 1t was the
legality of the act he was contendlng for
Mr. Latham was not able ~ give $50 towards
such an object; but said i, would be safe were
he to lay $500 down, provided the other S2UO
had to be raised. He was satisfied the latter
amount could not be collected hence such
generous offers were very safe.
"A vote was then taken, and the resolution
lost B ayes, nays.
a report OF the special committee, adverse
to the claim of Dr. Johnson tor reimbursement
for money expended in repairing the Friend
ship Engine H ouse, was received from the
Common Council.
Mr.. Latham said he had been appointed on
L - Il II