Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-05-19
CITY COUNCIL.
An adjourned meeting OF the City Council
was held last night.

Common Council in striking out the preamble
to the resolution reducing the number OF the
police force, was concurred in, as was also the
action of the Common Council in reference to
number OF bills, resolutions, &C.. acted upon
at the last meeting
Ijnop the bill of:Dr. Entwisle, for medicine
furnished the poor, referred by the Common
Council to the Finance Committee,
Dr. Johnson conteDded the bill should be paid;
that physicians prescribed just such medicines
AZ they deemed necessary, regardless OF the
price, the life of the patient being considered
above cost The apothecary, too, obeyed the
orders of the physicians, and this action was
unworthy the Council.
Mr.. Moore thought that some of the pbysi-
Clans gave unnecessarily expensive medicines,
such as. eixirs; while more simple remedies
would answer the same purpose.
DR.. French said it was impossible to restrict
physicians 10 their prescriptions. 1t was not
the fault of the physician or apothecary that
the bills were so large, but it was because per
sons received attention that were not entitled
to it, and he intended TO introduce bill to
remedy The evil if possible.
MIR. Lawson was in favor ofreference, as the
speediest way OF settling the matter:
MIR. Moore thought nothing would be gained
by reference.
MIR. Lawson coutended that to refer was to
save time.
The motion to refer was non concurred IN.
When the Salary bill, as passed by the Com
mon Council at its last meeting, was read,
Mr. Moore moved TO concur 10 the action OF
the Common Council.
DR.. johnson was opposed to cutting down
salaries merely for paltry economy. Ii there
was no need for an oficer-that Of Clerk of
the Gar Works for instance-abosh tho Office,
but do not cut the salary down so low that the
officer cannot afford to give his entire attention
to the duties. Five hundred dollars was not a
sufficient compensation for an officer whose
whole time was occupied 10 the discharge OF
the duties of his position. 1.-THE duties were
to be performed by another officer then the
compensation for two positions might be sutlcl-
ent, but unless that was 10 be the case the sal
ary was insufficient. He was for judiclous re-
| trenchmcnt.
The motion to pass the bill was lost, and it
was then considered seriatm.
Mr.. Seaton moved to increase the salary of
the Mayor from $500 to 5000 per aunum.
In reply to question the President stated
that the salary of the Mayor, including all the
! perquisites, amounted to about $500.
DR.. johnson was opposed to giving man
more than be asked. The present incumbent
and forty others in the city were perfectly will
ing to take the Office at the present salary. No
man was SO important that his services could
not be dispensed with, and if the Mayor was
not satisfied with the salary let him leave the
office.
The motion to Increase was lost.
MIR. Smoot moved to increase the per cent
age upon collections from II to 81, and thought
that if the Collectors Of Taxes got "A per ct.
the Mayor was entitled to like amount.
Mr. Moore objected upon the ground that
the Mayor had 10 trouble in collecting licenses,
whereas the collectors had great difficulty 10
collecting taxes.
Mr. Smoot thought the collectors had very
little trouble They sat in their Offices and
received the taxes and those that were not
paid there were not collected at all.
Mr.. Moore said that if the collectors did not
collect it was the fault Of Council in ordering
bills to lie over.
DR.. French was opposed to the increase. He
had even been in favor of reducing the salary
in view Of the financial condition of the city.
MIR. Moore repeated that the Mayor had no
difficulty 10 collecting license taxes.
DR.. johnson thong bit that it it was worth q
per Ct to collect taxes it was worth that much
to collect licenses. He never did think the
Mayor had any right to collect licenses as there
was 10 check upon him; that duty, should de-
yolve upon the Auditor. 49,
The motion to increase the per centage was
lost by tie vote.
DIR. johnson moved to amend the bill by in
creasiug the Auditors salary to s ,20O and de-
volviug upon him the duties Of the Clerk of
the Gas Works--lost, ayes 2, noes 5.
DR.. johnson moved to amend the bill by
making the salary Of the Superintendent of
Police $500 and the proceeds OF the sale of the
street cleanDgs, and proceeded to give a his
tory Of how the salary ofthat officer had been
gradually increased and showing how the re-
ceipts from the sales of the street manure had
fallen off under the present arrangement. He
was for stopping this growing evil, and was
opposed, he said, 10 paying a common loafer
So per day to 90 around abusing him and other
members Of Council because they did not vote
to suit that officers whims.
Mr. Moore said that if any officer under the
corporation earned his salary and deserved
$500 1t was the Superintendent of Police, who
had to 60 out and be out iD all sorts of weather
and 90 and be everywhere 10 the city. ), AS to
the following off in the sales of the mLnure, be
understood there was no demand now.
Dr. johnson said that the Superintendent OF
Police was self-movng automaton, going
where and when he pleased to suit bis own cOn-
venieuce. AS at present conducted the office
was the best 10 the corporation, paying from
81, 900 to $1,000 per annum, and 1t was 90
wonder that when man with one horse and
cart could make living that one with three or
four could lay up $4,000. The cleaning of the
streets should be put out by contract and the
Superintendent Of Police not be allowed to have
any interest in any of the carts that were en-
ployed. So great, he said, has this othcer BE-
abusing and defyng the CouDcimeo and using
towards them language that he would not here
repeat
The amendment was lost-ayes, g. noes, T.
Dr. johnson then moved to insert 500 aud
the proceeds Of the sale of the manure, which
was also lost.
MIR. Seaton moved to increase the salary of
the Commissioner of the Revenue to $500.
II Il