Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-28

members oil the Board Were present. aud but
few spectators outside the bar.
The Board was called 10 order by MIR. }. L.
Armstrong, President pro tem., at s:l5, and
immediately thereafter the Clerk proceeded to
read the bill fixing the salaries OF the municipal
officers oil the Cooperation for the fiscal year
commencing July |, 1876, aud ending Juue
81, 1877
MIR. Moore moved that the bill be put upon
its second reading, and that 1t be considered
seriatim, which mutton was adopted.
When The CLAUSE fixing the salary OF Super
ntrulent of Gas at $500 Was read,
Mr.. Moore said he did not intend to make
speech, but he desired 10 call the attention OF
the Board to the hoanclal condition OF the city.
The Finance Committee, he said, had prepared
salary bill, and desired to have it passed. first
in order that the appropriation bill might be
based upon il; the bill was passed by this Board
as prepared by the Finance Committee, aDd
by the Common Coulcil, with but Que eX-
crpioo, striking out the salary OF the Health
Officer. He said be would make statement to
show how the money OF the city was expended
Last year there was appropriated for the police
force 50 700 and the amount expended was
$40, lS4. Sc; $4S4. 81 over the amount appro-
prlatei; for sch 1os $1,000 was appropriated,
and IS GAO was expended; 81 44O above the
AUTHORIZATION; for streets 81 500 was approprl-
ated, aud $40 $50 81 Was expended; 30 800 81
alb we the appropriation; tor pumps aud wells
$500 was appropriated and 1888 10 was ex-
| pended, and for law expenses S3OO was ap-
propriated and Sl,13l.68 was expended the
total amount expended above the approprla-
ton being $40 326 so. He only gave these
items he SAID to show the condition Of the city,
and it was DO use Disgusting the fact the CITY
| was like ship out at sea 10 storm, and they
had better haul up and reduce and try to get to
port; the committee did not wish to cut down
the salaries. but in view Of the general pros
tration of business the pcopl@ were not able to
pay over 81 taxes Cd the SlUO, nor did they
propose to cut the salaries down below living
rates but merely asked the officers, in view of
the 6uaucal condition of the city, to help them
out. The present officers he said, did not
euter the thoughts of the committee wheo the
| bill was prepared; they did DOT konw who were
to be- the officers Of the c! " it was economy
that they were after, and II 30 ore had any
| thing to offer he would move to fix the salary
| of the Superintendent OF Gas at 800 as for
merry =,
Mr.. Suoot said he heartily concurred 10 all
that Mr.. More had said.
The salary Of The Superintendent of Gas was
then fixed at 500, MesSrs Male and Strauss
voting no.
The salary of the Superintendent of Police
was, on motion Of Mr.. Moore, reduced TO 500.
The clause fixing the salary Of the Treasurer
| of the Corporation at $500, being read,
| Mr.. Moore moved " Tx the salary Of the
| Treasurer at $500.
MIR. ,woLam said he was not present wheu
the salary bill Was passed, but it had beeu
recommended by the Finance Committee, and
adopted By by both Boards, with the excep-
ton of the salary OF the Health Officer; $50,
stricken out by the Common Council, and to
20 to work uow and rescind their former action
| boxed like mere chld's play He was 10 favor
OF passing the bill as coming from the cou
mitee.
MIR. Moore sid it they passed the bill az 1t
was al first, he had been Informed, that it
would pass the Common Council without any
| trouble.
MIR. Armstrong (Mr. Downbam in the chair
SAID be understood that the Trrasurer'S books
OF last year had not been given Up, aud the
! tx Treasurer had refused to do so GU the ground
! tnat they were not the property Of the Corpo-
ration. He thought that the city should own
the books of the Treasurer, aud suggested an
aweudmeDt to that effect.
! Mr.. Moore said that 'uld come up 10 auOth-
er FORM Mr. Harlow, he understood, was
going to petition for a set of books
| Mr. Downham was surprised at the Finance
Committee tolerating this state of things.
| Mr.. Moore explained that the Auditors
! book, would show what was on the rreasurers
books and that Mr.. Corse's books We're his
own private property, perhaps the books of his
bank.
The salary Of the Treasurer of the Corpora
| ton was fixed at 5000.
| The clause fixing the salary of the CLERK of
Common Council at $500 being read
| Mr.. Moore said that great stress was put
upon the amount of work performed by the
| Clerk of the Common Council, and recitcd the
duties Of that officer, and said he thought $3.50
plenty compensation for the work performed.
Tho salary of the Clerk Of the Common
| Council was fixed at 1850.
The salary of the Messenger Of the Com mon
! Council was placed at $3.50
When the salary OF the Clerk of the Board
Of Aldermen, $500, was read,
Mr.. Moore moved chat the salary of the
Clerk be reduced to 1925.
MIR. Strauss said hu agreed with the gentle
man from the First Ward, that the city was
10 distress but lie was opposed to cutting down
the already small salaries. He thought there
Mr.. Moore said it was for this Council to
say whether or not they would save the city
five or six hundred dollars.
MIR. Armstrong said he did not intend to say
anything on this subject, Dor did be intend to
vote tor or against the bill, but as he was re-
CURED to vote, be would vote for the reductions.
When, be said, he saw the e1travagancies 20
ing on in other directions, he did not think it
was good economy to cut down already small
salaries.
Mr. NeaIe said be did not intend to take any
part 10 the debate, but he did DOT see that
their votes would have anything to do with
sending them to the Legislature as had been
iptmated by the gentleman from the FIRST
Ward. He Was one of those that we're 10 favor
Of paying good salaries, believing it to be the
best economy. He was opposed to reducing
the salaries.
Mr. Moore said the cxtravagaucies alluded
to by the gentleman from the Third Ward,
HI - y