Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-12
CITY COUNCIL.
A regular semi.monthly meeting of City
Council was held last night.

There was a full attendance IN this Board,
all the members being prescott except MIR.
Neale.
o. the application of the Atlantic aud Pa
ciic relceraph Company for PERMISSION 10
erect u Is.
NJ. Downham moved to refer to a j int COM
nliltee oil two from each Board, with power TO
act. He said, if the Superintendent would
give any assurance that the obnoxious practice
Of il fliciing the tex 90 their patrons would De
abandoned, he would cheertuly agree to give
them the privilege, but not otherwise.
On the motion for the summer recess,
Mr.. Dowubam thought it important that
the Salary bi should be passed bef're the re-
cess was laken, and that could not be goit"o
through with tonight
The mo lon was Withdrawn.
Mr.. DuwDham introduced 40 act 10 relation
to the HarBor Master, and said be introduced
it at the request OF gentlemen Interested IN the
coal trade, who stated that the exactlon OF lees
by the H,rbor Master was Injurious to their
trade. Vessels passed here and Went to
GEORGETOWN rather than submit to the annoy
ascs. add expense of Harbor Master, tees.
| Mr.. Armstrong said that though he often
got out OF order. he hoped he would not do so
tonight. H. was opposed to the bill and re.
counted the necessity of balasting vessels, and
the alleged practice of disposing of this ballast
by throwing 1t into the river or bay. The du.
~ of the Harbor Master was to examine yes
sells and see what had become OF this ballast.
He claimed that the coulse pursued BY vessel
captains was filing up the chanuel. d. had
| intended Introducing resolution Looking 10
getting the Secretary of the Treasurer to take
action 10 the premises: He also claimed that
n 80, hr ha
| throwing of the ballast 10 their berths. He
| would 60 as far as any mao 10 tavorlng the 10
terests OF trade, and did not want 10 drive YES.
sells away. If it was the pleasure, OF the Board
to Law the act on the table, be .uld draw up
resolution petitiouing the Governor to open
correspondence with the Secretary OF the Treas
ury asking linn 10 take measures 10 have rev.
| euue Gutter to look after these vessels.
| MI. Downham agreed with Mr.. Armstrong
about peti,ioning the Governor, &c. L would
be all right if We could govern the whole river,
but we could not do 80, and vessels would 60
mast us to Georgetown. There had been 10
Hari or Master for four years and 20 damage
! had been DONE The coal men we're spending
great deal Of mooey here, and they would
ooI take the ri. ks aud trouble about fees but
would 10 10 Georgetown.
r,
of retrocessiou was passed, exclusive julisdc.
ton va, given to Vlrgi0la over one bait CT the
rivar, ana she could overhaul and fue any Yes
sci passing 10 that halt.
MIR. Dowubam did DOT think Alexandria
could exercise Jurisdiction over the vesses go
ing 10 Georgetown and Washington.
| MIR. SmoOt to test the question:, seconded
the motion to lay 90 the table.
The ayes and pays we're called and resulted
ayes 5, noes f.
Mr.. Moore said he agreed with Armstrong
about the damage of throwing over ballast, but
thought the Harbor Master could do nothing
about that. He thought the main trouble
| about the Harbur Master was the fees. They
asked few questions except as to tue tonnage
| and the amount of fees. Nothing has been
done by the Harbar Master for years.
Mr.. Armstrong rected the custom in former
years.
MIR. Moore asked how be could prove the
| throwing over the ballast, down the river?
Mr.. Armstrong said arrest the captain, and
put the crew on the witness stand.
Mr.. Janucy voted TO lay on the table, 10
order to give MIR. Armstrong uma to prepare
his petition. 1t this throwing over of ballast
had been going on SO long, he cJu,d not uDder-
stand why be had ueqer heard OF 1t before. He
never heard OF vessel captain being brought
up by the Harbor Master for damage done be-
low. He hoped Mr.. Armstrong would intro.
duce his resolution, aud be did not consider it
10 corfl Ct with the act. He would vote for
the aci, because be considered it necessary to
protect the coal trade
The bill was then put upon its passage and
lost. ayes 5, uoes 2.
Mr.. Downham hoped that MIR. Armstrong
uld now get up his resolutions and have the
law made applicable to Georgetown and Wash
lngton.
Mr.. Armstrong promised to do 20.
The resolution 10 regard to the regulations
for the police, their beats, &c., coming 10 lrom
the Common Council.
Mr. D;wuham said there was law govern
log The matter and the Mayor would not take
any notice OF the resolution.
Mr.. Jauuey asked where the laws were
MIR. Dywnbam said, 10 the city laws.
Mcssrs. Janney and Smoot said they could
not 6!d such 4 law.
Mr.. Armstrong did not know the law, but ii
the Mayor had the authority to make these
regulations, be could not be nterered with.
The matter was laid 90 the table, TO give
mem bers time TO examine the law.
Mr.. D woham introduced an act re enactlng
the old salary bill.
MIR. Armstrong thought the bill should have
been passed by the last Couoci but as it had
not been done, this Council he thought, now
could reduce salaries. ifthey thought proper.
MIR. Smoot III u!ht the matter should be
left to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Dowoham withdrew bis act aud rected
The troubles 10 regard to the law in the last
Council.
O., the resolution declaring the Office OF COL
lector Of Taxes vacant
Mr.. Armstrong thought the resolution out
Of order and nonsense. l! Was opposed to the
opinion of the Corporation Attorney. de re.
cited the circumstances 10 the case, and de-
cared that to adopt the resolution would be to
declare that the people had 20 rig BIT to elect.
Mr.. O Neal offered a substitute requiring
James Fos5ett to TX cute bond within days
ard thereupon to assume the duties OF Ills
Office.
Mr.. Downham had derstood the Corpora
ton Attorney to say that Council could declare