Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-11
Meeting of the Common Council.

held last pght, the official proceedings of which
appear elseRherein to-day Gazette. Aldermen
Smoot and Moore and Superintendent of Police
Clifford were present and occupied seats within
the bar. Five or six spectators sat outside the
bar, but the music Of brass baud playing near
BY apparently was more attractive to them than
the Council debates, for they soon withdrew.
The Board having been called to order, Pres
! ident Shinn stated that Notwithstanding the
| adjournment until October, be bad called the
meeting at the instance Of the Committee on
| Streets, whose chairman had some business to
report, but that before that business came up
be would present communication from the
Mayor, with reference TO the establishment of
ball IN this city for the exhibition of the mine.
rails OF the State.
The communication having been read,
Mr.. Hopkins offered a preamble aud resclu-
tons providing tor the appropriation of a sum
for the purpose indicated, and said there was
10 room in the market house building large
enough for such hall as would be wanted,
but that be understood suitable room could be
Obtained in Washington Hall building that
could be fitted up at moderate cost.
| Mr. Hughes asked the member from the
First Ward if be had examined the loom known
as the hall of the Sun Fire Company in the
market house building, and it that room would
not answer the required purpose.
Mr. Hopkins replied that the room referred
TO was 10 possession Of the Sun Fire Company,
who had, he understood, rented it to secret
order, and that it Wond be difficult to dis
possess them Immediately.
| Mr. Hughes said the Sun Fire Company had
no more right to the room than a man in Afri-
Zoo op6o he al -.
and without any trouble.
Mr.. Hopkins said that if the Sun Company
could be dispossesed, which be doubted, there
was uDly one way to do so, and that was by due
process of LAWN the same way that au indi-
vldual would be dispossessed and that the law 8
delay would be disastrous to the accom- sh
meot OF the purpose to be accomplished.
MIR. Hughes said there need be no delay.
The Sun Fire Company is not an organization
recognized by the laws of the State-it was only
mob, and would be so looked upon in Court
OF law. Ii has ceased to be company, and held
possession of the house they occupied by cour-
esy. He would move to amend the resolu-
tons by making it incumbent upon the City
Council to take possession of the Sun Engine
House at once and so save the amount of the
appropriation for the rent of an exhibition
hail. ...-.
Mr.. Hopkins hoped the gentleman would
not press his amendment as it would ieopardize
the passage OF the resolutions and probably de-
feat the whole object 10 view. And besides, he
apprehended the Council would not find obtain
Ing possession OF the Engine House as easy a
matter as the member from the Fourth Ward
wished to imply.
! Mr.. Hughes said that be would do nothing
that would obstruct the establishment of Min
era Bureau 10 this city, and would therefore
withdraw blsamendment, but gave notice that
at the next meet ug of the Board he would 10.
troduce resolution providing for the expul-
Sion OF the Sun Fire Company from the build
ing they now occupy, and It's possession by the
4 City Couocll. Inc preamble and resolutions
we're then unanimously adopted.
i MI. Hughes having reported upon the con-
! dnion OF Princess street, between Pitt and
d! Royal, the President stated that be had upon
late occasion examined the location referred to,
and that any one who would visit the spot
would agree with him that some sort of an i'm
provement there was necessary.
MIR. Broders said the gully 10 the street was
large enough to hold half the market house.
and that something must be done there, and
that immediately, or the whole street and all
the houses on it would 90 into the chasm. There
are two ways 10 make the nprovement-lay a
trunk, or pave the street aud gutter it in the
middle like the north end of Pitt street. A
truck he thought, OF oak wood, could be laid
for four or five hundred dollars, which would
last twenty years aud probably to lay it would
be the better plan, for the street would have to
be flied up before it could be paved 1t was
certainly to the interest Of the city to make the
| improvement 10 order TO prevent suits for prob.
able damages. He thought trunk the easiest
and cheapest improvement that could be adopt
ed, and that with good oak timber good job
could be made with the sum be had men
toned.
A resolution was then adopted directing a
truck to be laid.
The following communication sigoed by
sixteen persons, was then read and referred to
the Committee on Streets
To the City Council of alexandria
GENTLEMEN The undersigned residents
and property holders, on Royal, between King
| aud Cameron streets, would respectfully call
your attention to the condition of the street in
this location, and request that it be repaired
Its present condition Is very detrimental to the
comfort Of those who travel over ii, as we'll as
Injurious to the health of those who reside on
it. Your attention to its Improvement will
greatly oblige US.
Mr. Hopkins Introduced the following reso-
luton: ..
Resohed That the Corporation Attorney be
requested to take such steps, as in his opinion
may seem proper, to secure to ibe city its just
proportion Of the old Court House property, 10
partition of said property between the county
and city of Alexandria.
lie said his object was to protect the city's
interest. Some time ago, with the object of
bene6tting the public schools, an effort had
been made to compromise with the county, but
had failed 10 consequence Of the objections Of
| the officers OF that county.
MIR. Smoot said shortly after the retrocession
OF Alexandra county to the State Of Virginia
deed was drawn by the Solicitor ofthe Treasury
OF the United States under authority of az act
OF Congress- which deed conveys the old Court
House and Jail to the Governor of tie State for
the use of the town and county, 10 what pro-
portion. however, the deed did not stipulate Dol
did the act of Congress, nor did the act of the
| Legislature of Virginia accepting the retroces-
sion. He supposed it would be fair for the CITY