Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-03-11
CITY COUNCIL.
A regular semi, monthly meeting Of the City
Council was held last night.

attendance After the reading of the minutes,
Mr. Moore, from the Committee on Poor,
presented several bills for articles furnished the
Alms House.
Mr.. Scatou said he was on the Committee
on the Poor, but mad not been notified of a
meeting.
Mr.. Moore said the bills were contracted aud
had TO be paid.
Mr.. Seaton wanted to know how the bills
could be sigued.
The President suggested that the bills were
signed on behalf of the committee.
Mr.. Scatou wanted to know if such action
was legal.
The President said that when bills we're so
positive, calling the committee together would
be almost unnecessary
After some further collcquy, oGe of the bills
was rcommltted
After coucurrng 10 the action Of the Com
mon counc,l upou several bills
Dr. j uhuSou introduced a resolution aSSuul-
ing the purchase of the old Relief cngl0c-
house, on Prince street, bought by the Relief
Hook and Ladder Company at the rcccat sale,
pretacing the introduction by some very con-
plimentary remarks of the members OF the
Hook and Ladder Company, a company, which
he said had become Indispensable.
Mr. Latham seconded the RS 'Iutoa and was
anxious that the company should have the
house, tut would like amendment added
permitting the company to take the property
from the city by paying the amount oil he pur-
chase money Isl, 425) with ut Interest.
Dr. j Johnson thought that assuming the lur-
chase was sufficient at this time; after while
further arrangements could be made; but be
was Of the opinion that the property ought to
belong to the city.
The resolution was adopted without ameud-
ment
DR.. French asked and was excused from
serving on the Committee of Conference ON the
bills of DIR. johnson, and Mr. Latham was APP
pointed in his stead
DR.. johnson reported bill to close the bar
Der shops on Sunday, the penalty fora viola
ton being $40 for first ptfcuce, and $l5 for
subsc uueut otf.ucrs one halt To 20 to Inc lu-
formcr He said that the bill was popular with
the BARRIERS, but very unpopular with the ,co
ole. Que or two BARRIERS keeping their shops
omen on Sundays compelled all to do likewise.
Mr.. Jauucy, Mr.. L.wson in the chair, OPP
posed the passage of the bill and thought that
those Of he BARRIERS who did not wish to keep
open their shops on Sundays should shut them
up. He was willing to Vote TOR bill coSlUg
the shops after II clock, but the provisions
of this bill would Inconvenience not ouly Glll
zenS Uut strangers.
Mr.. Ly,es favored the bill, upon the CRU ond
that he would do all IN ills power to have the
Sabbath k, pit holy.
The bill was then passed ayes. g. noes, ,
DR.. johnson introduced resolution of re-
spcct to the memory Of the late r. II. Miller,
and spoke enthusiastically OF the deceased.
Mr. Latham seconded the resolution and
paid deserved tribute to the worth aud excel
Icnce of Mr. Miller.
The resolution was then adopted.
The report of the Fire Wardcns was received
and accepted.
A statement of the Auditor of the expenses
of the Corporation for four years was received
and accepted, aud resolution adopted order
lug five hundred copies to TIC printed in pam
phlct form.
\ resolution changing the name of Water to
Lee street Was adopted without debate.
\ resolution Of the Common Council appro-
priatng 5000 for the repair of the Rallt En-
glue House, was adopted, but DR. Johnson
moved 10 reconsider the resolution, and thought
it would be enhancing the value OF the prop
erty and thereby increasing the dover right IN
it to much. He said the company Was to
repair the building.
Mr. Latham explained that the compauy
would be unable to make the needed repairs
unless assisted by Council He said il was TO-
tended to makc the building but two stories,
Instead of three, as now, and that the material
taken down would reduce the expenditure.
DR.. johnson after again expressing his Oh
lection to the Council Increasing the value OF
the property, thereby increasing the dover
Interest 10 1t, withdrew his motlon.
The bill to amend the act creating and de-
fulug the powers OF the Board OF Public orkS
with letter Of explanation from the Presl-
Il fLa 4 lpnl
Dr.. johnson said that the Board had DOT
been 10 practical operation for six mouths He
was opposed to giving these four men the
power to do as they pleased; he wanted no
more rugs; the Board had done nothing
would do nothing Instead OF expehdlng the
moucy they had on hand among the laOorerS
Of the city, it had been leaned out to swell the
profits OF the bloatcd boudholdcrs who wcra
now getting Is per ceut. Ii the memberS OF
the Board we're not satisfied with the law, they
should resign and get out of the way for practl
cal men. He was unwilling to cutrust them with
the control OF $. 900 without security, every
thug was distorted, aud all sorts OF obstacles
thrown in the way. There was no ueed
OF more law; the dith ;uity was to get men to
execute the laws We have. Instead OF eiectlng
practical men, SUCH IA }. W. Nails and E'nal'
ual Frarc>, as he had wanted, members OF the
lofu Exchange, VINO knc" nolnlus dooul 'ho
business, had bceu selected. Nothing wa,
done, nnthiug could DC done under the pucrlie
and tlmc-Saviug system Of legislation Of Coun-
eli, aud SO disguised had the people hceame
tina, they would vote to gn back to the District
tomorrow by 1000 majority, lncluIug the
county vote.
Mr. L,thsm was surprised at the remarks of
the preceding speaker The Bard Of Public
Is he hnn u "A IN
Suout was un excellent gentleman, we'll quail
fed for the position. Mr.. Bcckham was as
tuIl of energy Us an egg Ut meat; Mr. Field was
We'll qualified and would do his best, while Mr..
Blythe was OF all men in the town the most
proper one for the position, being au englucer
and practical man. The Board cou hardly
be composed of better men; II might be OF
Verse Time aud the season had been unpro-
pitious for the Board, but nov they wanted to
go to work They asked that the law might
be SO amended as to allow them to proceed.