Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-24
CITY COUNCIL.
A regular seni-monthly meeting of the CITY
Council was held last night.

A regular semi monthly meeting Of the City
Council was held last night.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
In the Board of Aldermen, Mr.. Smoot, from
the Committee on Streets, reported an order
for survey Of Wythe street from, Fairfax to
Columbus, which was adopted.
The Board concurred in the action Of the
Common Council in relation to the suit Of Swain
vs.. the Hydraulion Fire Company, and instruct
ing the Finance Committee to examine the
accounts of the late Board of Public Works.
After acting on some other matters, the bill
to reduce the number of policemen to l6 was
brought in from the Common Council, and
read.
Mr.. Smoot moved to amend By reducing the
lumber to fourteen, which he said would give
four mento each of the four beats with the re-
lays as at present.
DR.. French said, as member Of the Finance
Committee, it was thought that the proposed
| reduction would save some $500 per anuum,
and he doubted if the other Board would agree
to further reduction.
Mr.. Moore would like to have seventeen po-
| licemen, but as the bill had passed the Common
| Council, he would vote for it as it was.
Mr.. Shoots amendment not receiving
second, was not entertained, and the bill, rs 1t
came from the Common Council, was then
passed-ayes 6, noes 0.
The Board then adjourned.
! COMMON COUNCIL
| The attendance in the Common Council was
somewhat less than usual.
After some routine business transacted with.
out debate,
Mr. Echberg called up the bill reducing the
police force, giving the officers $50 each less
annually, aud reducing the force to sixteen.
Mr. Echberg said that this bill was pro
posed by the Finance Committee, and when
VIC began here it was as WELT to include the chief
officers, who received the higher salaries. The
policemen did as much work as the officers, land
they received but $500 per auuum.
Mr. Mitchell thought that the bill should 60
of the Gas Works
MIR. Harlow was willing to reduce the num-
Der of the police force, but was not willing to
reduce salaries that barely afforded living as
they stood
MIR. Mckenzie regretted the necessity OF a
reduction but thought it was necessary. lie
said he would give notice, however, that he
| would OPPOSE running au establishment worth
$4,000 without a clerk. The gas works
could not dispense with clerk.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. Hughes then called up his bill for TAX
ing possession of the Sun and Friendship engine
houses.
MIR. Eichberg was not satisfied Of the power
OF the Council to take these buildings, and he
did not want the city to 60 blindly into a law
suit. He moved that the subject be referred
to the Corporation Attorney for his legal
opinion.
Mr. Hughes had no objection to the refer.
ence, but he saw pothing in the way; for Ger
tainly the city was not obliged to give the use
OF its property to companies for which it had
no use. Property was now idle 10 their hapds
that would bring six or seven hundred dollars
a year.
Mr. Mitchell doubted the light of Council
to take the buildings, and could not vote for
the bill until he had heard the opinion of the
Corporation Attorney upon the matter.
The subject was referred to the Corporation
Attorney.
Mr. McKeuzie-I move we adjourn.
The Presdent-There is some business upon
the table.
Mr. McKenzie-So far tonight we have only
passed bill OF 81 1t will be saving to
adjourn.
Communications we're then read from 6. r.
Shinn and b E. Downham resigning seats 10
Council, 10 consequence Of removal from their
| Wards
After some discussion as to the right OF
Council to refuse the designations, the reslg-
nations were accepted as necessary, and new
election was ordered,
| The Board then adjourned.