Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-05-12
CITY COUNCIL.
The regular semi-monthly meeting OF the
Civ Council was held last night.

BOARD Of
In the Board of Aldermen upon the resolu-
ton requesting the w. & A. K. X. 70 move
its track on St. Asaph street nearer the west
side of the street,
MIR. Moore thought the Railroad COMPANY
ought TO buy a lot aud build a depot. Inc
action of the Common Council 10 referring the
resolution to the Commute on Streets was
amended so as to order the TO re-
port i, back to Couscll and then adopted.
The bill TO have paved the east end OF Mar
ket Alley was laid over on motion OF Mr. Moore,
who thought the Committee on Streets had
too much work laid out already, aud bad better
now commence retrenchmeut.
MIR. Moore, iu presenting u bill of DR.. Emit
wisle for medicines for The poor, thought the
physicians prescribed TOO costly medicines aud
often gave prescriptions costing 81 When there
costing 80 cents would be as emcaclous. lie
though some legislation was necessary.
DR.. Johusou said if there was a defect In
this matter it was TIT: fault Of the Council, who
elected new instead of old physicians. Giving
| the Office of Physician to the Poor to young
men was right, but 10 appoint strangers who
did DOT know the streets much less the people,
was, in his opinion, not right. .
A petition of Mr.. Enauuel Webb, dismissed
by the Mayor trum the police force tor being
| lru.d asleep 90 his teAt, r questlng to be re-
,uslated, was being read, when
MIR. Lyles made u poiuto Of order that as there
was no official notification If the dismissal OF
Mr.. Webb, the petition was not 10 order.
The point OF order was decided Well taken
and the petition vas Withdrawal.
Al act TO further reduce the police force to
fifteen men, at a salary of $45 per month, was
,rtro3nced bv DIR. johnson,
MIR. Seatou advocated an Increase OF the sal
airy to $50 per month.
DR.. johnson Was certalr that the other Board
would not agree TO the Increase, aud the police
men we're satisfied with $45
Mr.. Seaton was OF the opiulon that the Com.
mon Council would pass the bill with the H.
Gre ased compensation.
A vote belug taken on the proposition to
increase, it was lost by a vote OF ayes 2,
Does 5.
Mr.. Moore would have voted aye, but thought
the policemen would be satisfied with the $40
a month, aud finances were DOW low.
DR.. johnson SAID that the present bill To-
creased The salary SIS per anuum--more than
the policemen expected.
MIR. Suaton voted aye because be did not
think the conn ensation uticient-the police.
men we're satisfied because they could DO nc
better.
The bill was then passed ayes 7, noes ..
DR.. Juhuson introduced a bill to abolish The
Office OF Clerk of the Gas Works and impos'
ing the duties OF that ctice upon the Auditor.
DR.. johnson argued that there was no ne:
cesslty for the Office Of Clerk, aud explained
the provisions OF the bill.
The bill was read a second time, when DR..
Freuch, at the Instance OF the President, moved
to lay the bill over.
DR.. johnson would rather that the bill be
passed al ouce.
MIR. Jauuey Or. French in the chair,
moved that the bill be referred to the F'nance
Committee.
DIR. johnson thought such action would be
the death of the bill, aud tavorlng retre1ch
ment he Was for economy and for the passage
of the bill, without looking TO the personal
convenience of any one. The position of clerk
was "a sinecurc, aud ought to be abolished. lie
charged that the committees, for their OWE
selfish PURPOSES, were 10 the habit OF pocket
ing bills.
Mr.. JaDney, from the remarks OF Dr. John
son, was now suspicious OF the bill, or else III
mover would not so object to q reference, OF
else it would not bear The ordeal OF an lnVestl
cation. He though the committee would re-
mort. He also thought the incumbent would
be better out OF, than 10 the office, as he couId
not rise to a higher position, while be held the
present one.
MIR. Lyles was opposed to a reference, bu'
would prefer having the bill printed.
Mr., Seaton being 10 favor OF retrenchment
favored the passage OF the bill, or having i
printed. c.,
MIR. Lawson was 10 favor Of the spirit of the
act, but Was in favor of time tor cODslde'
ration.
The bill was then referred by a vote Of 4 10 3.
Dr.. johnson offered a preamble aud resolu'
tons looking to a conference with the bond
holders OF the city for the purpose OF compro'
mise, aud for this purpose appointing a com
mittee to invite a meeting of the bondholders'
DR.. johnson believed that this proposition
would be productive of good. He deuied thai
there was any idea of Reputation 10 this move
ment.
DIR. French could see no harm, but maybe
good ia the proposition, and If 1t was found
that nothing could be done it would, at least
stop the constant talk and make the people
more content to pay the debt.
MI. Moore suggested that the committee was
too large, and moved to strike out eight aod
make it FIVE.
DR.. Johnsou explained that eight was two
from each Ward, and rather than reduce
thought that it would be better to have q larg
er Committee. He congratulated himself tina
the committee as named was a most excellent
selection.
The preamble and resolutions were Their
adopted.
A bill legalizing the old building line OF
Washington street, passed by the Common
Council. coming in, So,
DR.. johnson opposed it Oh the ground thai
! the Council had 20 right to change a street line,
and moved to lay the bill 90 the table. -.
Mr.. Moore thought the object of the bli
was to permit the old lioe to remain as it was,
and not to change, as supposed by Dr.J ohnson'
DR.. johnson conteDded the. his opposition
vas correct, and that Mr.. Moore was at fault.
The bill was laid on the table, aud at IL
| o'clock the Board adjourned, until next Tues
day night.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Tho Hommon Io1nnil last nipht was wall at.