Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-15

'ou, "u"' EMBARRASSED by being named in tn.
leSo'utloo. ne saw 90 reason why the matter
could not be referred, and spoke of the vr,sr
s az OF Alexandria In being so close to
ashlngton, and It's convenient facilities for
getting there, and said they could not aff,ri
10 urlVe the railroad away. He moved to
amend by leaving the committee blank.
Dr; johnson accepted the amendment, and
SAID his only object was, to get an intelligent
opinion on the subject. He would not give tho
suap of his finger for the opinion of apy Of
the other members of the Board.
MIR. Beach said the labors of the commit
tee would not be directed so much to the
legal aspect OF the case as to the expedieucy
OF removing the track, aud he thought aoy
member OF the Board could serve on the com.
mittee.
MIR. Moore said there was no danger of drjy
ing the railroad company out of the CITY: il
paid too well.
Mr. Mckenzie said no doubt the railroad
track Injured the street, besides the people
were afraid of being blown up. He wanted
the bill to 60 t. the Corporation ATTORNEY,
DR.. johnson said the railroad would remove
its track to Fsyette street, and would MOI
loose ten passengers day, and he couII
prove by statistics that instead of deprcc,,l.
ing The value Of property, it enharced it; H.,
railroad had made the splendid establishment
OF Robert Portner's, who was worth more IN
this community than forty COL Suites, and
spent dollars where Col. Suite spent barely
enough to keep soul and body together
The Board then, at 9:45. adjourned
COMMON COUNCIL.
The business of the Council last uiphl WAS
transacted without debate except in few in.
Stances
The bill of j. 3. johnson, for repairs to the
Council,
MIR. RishieIl opposed considering the bill a,
all. The bill had been here number oil times
and had always been rejected TWAS uselys,
to trouble the committee with it.
MIR. Hopkins said Dr. johnson was of the
opinion that he had never had fair Judgment
on his case, aud for himself he wonId like TO
have all the evidence in the case before the
Couocll. He moved the reference to a special
committee, with instructions to report the evil
deuce.
Mr.. Hughes said that this claim had been
before Council for four Or five years; had been
before the COMMITTEE on Claims, the Flpaucr
Committee, and special committee, and each
had reported adversely. When he was chosen
President Of the Friendship Fire Company it
was announced that he was going to repair the
house for the honor of the office If DR.. john
SOP had spent his own money to repair public
property it was his own lookout Dr. johnson
told committee not long suce it they did not
pay he would take the house. Now, If he has
any claim let him take the house.
Mr. Rishicll He has deed of trust.
Mr.. Hughes. Yes, let him sell under his
deed.
Mr.. Harlow said that the Corporation Artor-
ney had reported that the baud engine houses
belong to the Corporation; if that be so, the
City Council ought to pay for the repairs.
Mr.. Rishell thought he would 90 into the
market, repair some Of the Corporation prop
erty, and bring in his bill.
MIR. Evans gave history Of the repairs of
the Friendship engine house, and said that the
Council had directed the house to be repaired
because it was considered unsafe, and DIR.
johnson had made the repairs. Ii he had not
done so the house would have tumblcd, and it
would have cost the city double the amount
claimed by DR.. johnson.
Mr.. Hopkins said that his object in having
the reference made was to have all the facts
brought before Council. He understood that
the Committee on Public Property had re-
ported 10 favor OF repairing the house, but as
there Was recess Of Council DR.. johnson had
paid tor the repairs to save the house trou
falling down.
Mr.. Latham said if the claim had been be,
fore the Council thirty times, then let it come
thirty one times, if justice was to DC done
Mr. Smoot, while, as general rule, opposed
to reversing the action Of our predecessors,
thought that this ought to be made an excep,
ton, IN order that the testimony might be
taken and tue question settled in the light of
the evidence.
The bill was referred to special committee
The Chair appointed Messrs. Hopkins and
and Rishiell the committee
MIR. Latham hoped, in consideration of the
relations existing between Dr. Johnsou and
Mr.. RishielI, that Mr.. r. would decline to
serve on the committee
Dir. Rishiell. I'm not declining any honors.
An application tor a pump at the intcrsec-
ton of Fairfax aud Princess streets having
bee q read,
Mr.. Harlow stated that number of persons
living in that neighborhood had made applica.
ton to the Water Company for water facilities,
and had been refused.
Mr.. Hughes thought that the city ought %
be able to exercise some control over this com
pany. The city had to come along 10 mouth
or six weeks and repair the streets after them
MIR. Smoot thought that the company might
be reached in the interest Of the city, aud that
it would be well to inquire whether any further
legislation is necessary to SECURE to the citizens
Of the town the proper Use Of the water from
the water works.
A resolution 10 favor of turing over the dis
tribution Of wood to the Ladies Relief Assu-
citation coming up,
Mr.. Scho6eld said it was almost impossible
TO get the Overseers Of the Poor to meet aud
act iu the matter, and that it was thought by
the Mayor that the ladies would prove moro
effective.
10 future discussion, Mr.. Hughes said the
ladies are much more apt to be imposed upon
than the Mayor, and they had not the means
of information as to the needs oil the applicants
which the Mayor had by means of the police
force. 4,
Mr.. Latham said he had had some expe-
rience 10 this matter, and asked if the City
Council was prepared to treble or quadrupIe
the amount appropriated for wood. When he
was Mayor he had no trouble, or rather he
took the trouble, because it was his duty lu
0cary every instance he investigated the COLI