Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-11-28
CITY COUNCIL.
The regular meeting of the City Council was
held last night.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
This Board met at 1885 o'clock, al! the MEM
bers being present. and Immediately after the
reading of the minutes went into joint conVen.
ton to hear the report Of the City Debt Com
mission.
When the Aldermen reassembed the call OF
committees was begun, and MIR. Armstrong hay'
Jog read communication from Capt. W.. j..
Boothe, showing that new floor ID decided at
the coal wharf,
Mr. Smoot asked the probable cost.
Mr.. Armstrong said the cost would be about
s., 800 or $4,000. The city was bound by its
contract to keep the wharf in repair
The matter was referred.
MIR. Armstrong then submitted report OF
the Committee on Public Property in relation
to the Sun Eogine House. MI. A. reported
the evidence taken 10 the case without recon-
mendatiou. MIR. Evans reported against dis
turbing the company 10 their present house
uotil new one was provided for them; Mr.
Strauss in favor of taking the house and turn
Jog it over to the City Council; Mr.. RlsbeilI in
favor of taking the house and turning it over TO
the Commissioners cf the Sioking Fund
Mr.. Strauss said that the Sun Fire Company
bad ceased to exist. and he thought that tie
city should have possession Of the house. The
SUQ1eCC OI tuC VptGpSoS "'Sh' NJ
acted upon ut future time.
| sMr. Armstrong said that the Sun Fire Com
papy had been the most efficient of the public
Institutions 1t had put out more fires and
saved the city moro money in one year than
the Sinking Fund Committee will likely save
10 the next ten. If the property was turned
| over the city would get no benefit: 1t would
all be swallowed up by the Sinking Fund.
He bad heard it said that the house would brlrg
| $500 TO $500 rept. 1t would never bring that
| rent 10 this generation. The hand companies
could alone be depended upon in fires at the
outs kirts of the town. The Commissioners OF
| the Sinking Fund threw away more than the
price OF that house last year 10 single transac'
ton. They had paid too much for city stock.
| The city bonds were worth not cent more than
twenty seven cents On the hundred. lie did
not believe the doctrine Of the Corporation At
torney. This twisting at law in the face OF com
mon Justice and honesty is cot doctrine that
he could agree to. The whole thing has grown
out of petty jealousy Of the hand fire com
pauies.
MIR. Reid thought that the Chief Engineer Of
the Fire Department and the Corporation At
tcrney should be heard in reference to the
matter.
Mr.. Strauss combatted the idea that the
hand companies were of service. lie thought
that by the time the Sun reached Gre Oh the
outskirts of the city the house would be burned
dowu. 1t takes about Hundred men to move
the Sun engine aud the labor of working is cx-
cessiye. lie moved the adoption OF his report
turning over the Sun building to the Sinking
Fund Commissioners
Chief Engineer Leadbeater. who was present,
said he regretted that he was called upon to
speak on the subject while gentlemen who no
much opposed this change we're not present.
was distastefuI to him because he had felt that
his duty as public officer required him to do
so. He desired to say that it would be an ex-
ponse without benefit to maintain hand engines
here, when the two steamers were moro than
sufficient to take the entire water supply, and
OF course If the hand engines interferred with
this supply they must impede the vastly more
efficient service of the steamers. AS to service
on the outskirts The steamers could work Wher-
ever the hand engines could. Ihu Quo. w.
not gu ,tion and would be powerless beside q
we'll or other water supply of that KIDD while
the steamers could draw water as we'll as
throw it.
Corporation Attorney Stuart advised the
Board that ho Sun Company had 10 recorded
title, and that the Corporation on repealiog It's
grant of 1851 would have tight to take posses.
sion of the house now held by them. There had
been 90 legal evidence before tho committee of
auy grant by the Sinking Fund Commission,
aud the Commission had 90 power to make such
a grant. If the Sun Company improved the
property they did so at their own peril, know
log that they held it at the pleasure OF the
City Council" o. the evidence he saw no
title in the Sun.
MIR. Downham said that he thought from the
evidence that even if the Sun Company had no
title at law they had claim 10 equity. Lie
moved as substitute for MIR. Strauss report
that the Mayor be requested to confer with
the Sun Company and arrange their removal
from the building on equitable terms
This was lOst-yeas 5, nays 3.
MIR. Reid was not willing to admit the Sue
Company had any claim upon the corporation.
They took the house subject TO the pleasure OF
Council.
The resolution of Mr.. Strauss vas agreed tc-
Yeas, 6; nays, 2.
MIR. Strauss introduced resolution for COM
mittee to confer with the SUI Fire Company
on the subject of it's claims, which was adopted.
MIR. Downham offered resolution to place
oyster shells on Cameron street, between Wash
inQton and Columbus streets.
MIR. Armstrong objected 10 the resolution on
the ground that the work was for the benefit of
the Alexandria and Washington Railroad Com
pany, whom he proceeded to denounce.
Mcssrs. Downham aud Marbury both con-
teuded that tho company were not interested.
The resolution was finally adopted.
A resolution was introduced directing the
Auditor TO sell property bought in by the city
at tax sales.
Mr.. Strauss favored tho resolution, and
thought that something should be done at once
to make this property tax producing.
MIR. Armstrong wanted to know first whether
the city could give valid title.
Mr. Reid thought it better to have the opin.
ion of the Corporation Attorney, and to know
10 names of the former owners of the property.
Mr.. Downham offered substitute that the
Auditor furnish the City Council with list of
the property in question. which was adopted.
The Board after dsposng of Sundry matters
CT minor importance adjourned at 1920 o'clock
until next Tuesday night.
COMMON COUNCIL.
There was very full attendance at the meet
ing of the Common Council last night.
As soon as the Board met, the Aldermen
Il