Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-07-11
CITY COUNCIL.
A regular meeting Of the City Connc'I wa
held last night

The President said there were n'ic c"t!ihi'
lees and ony seven members 10 serve on
them.
vice On the Committee on Public property,
but alter some conversation protc>scd himself
satisfied.
Ga the bill Of Muir & Bro, for mattresses for
the Jail, -, :.
Mr.. Smoot said that souie time dullne the
mast wear the Council had asked the attorney
to inform them what the city had to pay Tor
the Jail. No reply had yet been received. lie
moved to lay ii on the table.
Mr.. Armstrong said that ii had always been
The custom to pay hve-sixths Of these bills.
The motion to lay on the table was lost, and,
90 motion of Mr.. Strauss, five sizths OF the bill
was ordered to be paid
Nlr. Strauss called up Ills resolution 10 re-
gard TO the city debt, offered some time since,
nroyilinc for meeting Of bondholders, and it
was read, aud Mr.. Strauss offered the Games oil
the following citizcus to tlil the blanks: JOAN
b. Smoot, W. +. Carne, Lewis Mckclzie,
Joseph B.0dcrs, &. l.. Simpson, NJ. Is liar
low, George Duffey. Joseph Hopkins, Robert
Porner and Isaac ElchbcrC.
Mr.. Strauss spoke in favor Of his resolution,
and urged The necessity OF some such action.
Mr.. Armstrong asked II tue gentlemen
named were OOnunOlucrS.
Mr.. Strauss thought not, but If they were
all Of them were in favor. OF sealing the debt,
as he knew from conversation with each OF
them.
Mr.. Armstrong favored fair play to the bond,
holders, but not 10 the exclusion OF every
body else's interests. lie hoped that some ar
rangement would be made, low enough, to
hermit OF taxation sufficient 10 pay the interest
promptly.
Mr. D5wDham asked whether he understood
Mr.. Strauss to say that none oil the gentlemen
named were bondbolders.
Mr. Strauss repeated his explanation.
Mr. DoWnham thought it better 10 have
some bondholders on tho committee; 1t might
have beneficial effect. lie moved to add the
names of Dfs. D. NJ. French aud William &.
Gregory.
The amendment and original resolution were
then adopted, and Nessrs. Strauss and Arm.
strong appointed on the committee from tile
Board OF Aldermen.
The appropriation bill as reported in the last
Council was then taken up.
Mr. Armstrong moved TO make the appro-
priation for public schools $1,000, which he
thought as much as The city ought to pay. lie
had been attacked 10 the printed report OF the
Superintendent Of Schools for calling attention
to the woeful and wastefu extravaganza OF the
School Board. He commented on some OF the
items oil the Superintendent report. lie said
that he favored public schools, but claimed
that there was great extravaganza IN their
management, lie objected to tue purchase Of
the Peabody school building. lie thought
fair Eoelish education all that was necessary.
lie did not believe 10 learning boys music. to
finger the piano, at public expense. lie
thought the State taxed the people enough to
get their portion Of the school tax. lie con-
tiuued at length 10 opposition to the Board and
its actions.
Mr.. Downham said he could not approve Of
any attacks upon the public schools. Tie read
from the Superintendent report to show that
the expense Of the schools in Alexandria was
much less than in any other city 10 the State.
MIR. Armstrong again commented on The re-
port, aud especially that part showing that
salaries Of teachers were less here than else
where, Nobody was obliged 10 2eIqr, lie
| thought.
Mr.. Malbury called attention - the fact
that the School Board could, under the State
law, call upon the Council for double the
amount of the Stale appropriation, which
would make IS. 500, whereas they only asked
| for 5000
Mr.. Armstrong said if that we're the case the
| liberties of the people of Alexandria were not
| worth much.
The amendment Of Mr.. Armstrong failed Tor
| want Of \ sccood, and the bill as formerly
amended Was then passed ayes /, 10 MIR.
Armstrong.
Several matters Of minor interest were trans
| acted, and the Board, oil $50 o'c!ork, adjourn
| ed uatiI Thursday night.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Counsel OF Alexandra held It's
regular semi monthly meeting last night, If
| Lecn members being present.
Alter some routine business.
Mr. Evans introduced resolution recitiDg
that the Committee on Public Property had
reported 10 favor Of paying Dr.. Johns5n's claim
of $500, ADD directing The Auditor 10 pay that
| amount to DR.. johnson. MIR. Evans said -
10 Offering this resolution would simply say
that this matter has been before Council for
sometime 10 some form or other. The Com.
mittcc 90 Public Property has recommended
the payment Of the amount OF the blil-that
proportion Of the amount expended on the
Friendship Engine House | viii state iurth'
err that, at this time, | believe DR.. Johuson
owes taxes to the amount Of $500, SO that 1t
would take but 5000 to settle the claim. 1t has
been adiudlcated upon several times, and re-
| commended often by the Committees for pay
ment.
The Prcsideut-I rule this resolution out Of
order 1t has never been reported on by any
present committee OF the present Council. |
will send it to the Committee on Finance.
MIR. Latham thought, Mr.. President, that
you ruled it out Of order.
The President-Yes, sir, SO far as the Com.
mittec is concerned, but not as to the reSolu.
ton itself.
Mr.. Latham--You decided it was out Of or.
der; how you can then call it into life l cannot
understand.
The Chair said that while the alluson to the
former Committees was out Of order, the action
proposed by the resolution was not.
Mr.. L,tham-That's distinction without
difference.
The President-Well, sir, so rule.
Mr.. Evans desired to know if the Chair
claimed the right to dispose of business without
referring it to Council.
The Chair said that he had The right to re
fer matters to the appropriate committees
when there was no objection.
The reference vas made.