Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-27
CITY COUNCIL.
The City Council held its regular meeting

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last night.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
This Board met at 100 o'clock, with seven
members present, and, alter passing one or two
bills, took recess until clock.
Upon bling some routine business
was transacted, and, on motion of Mr.. Smoot,
the Sun engine house matter was taken up,
and Mr.. Latham, president of the company,
invited to make a statement to the Board.
Mr. Latham rendered his thanks for the
courtesy shown him. He found, he said that
Mr.. Meal, who desired to hear the case, was
again absent.
The President said that Mr.. O'Neal had
sent word that he would be present at eight
o'clock.
Mr.. Latham.-He told me that he ccu'l not
be here.
Mr.. Latham then made a statement in re-
gard to the building of the old Sun engine
house on the corner of Fairfax aud Cameron
streets and tho purchase of their present en-
CINE. and the erection of the house now 10 dis
pute. He said that although the company had
no legal claim on tho house, they had very
strong claim 10 equity and houor. a guarantee
had been given them by the Commissioners OF
the Sinking Fuod at the time Of the building
of tho new market house. The company had
been consulted as to the erection 0! the hulld.
ing AID tablet bearing its namn placed 10 the
front thereof. The iron heel of tyranny had
been placed upon the neck OF the company, not
tor any offence, but at the mere caprice and
will of its enemies. If the company was not as
efficient and active as formerly it was not the
fault of the members. lie claimed that tho old
market building would not have been destroyed
If the Sun had been equipped for service. lie
~ cd ho o.
related several instances 10 which good service
might, in his opinion. have been done by the
later. Taking up the question Of right again,
Mr.. Latham claimed that MIR. Hopkins, 10 his
testimony before the committee, bad said that
no was ordered by the Commissioners CT the
Sinking Fund to turo the house over to the
Sun Fire Company, and he (Mr. Latham) did
DOT sec how he Council could equtably reverse
that order. IT, as had been stated the lntep,
ton was to indemnify the company for the
house, the indcmni6caion should como first;
that would be more busincss-like. The takiGg
away Of the house would not destroy the coul-
pany; that existed by charter with the same
Nights a. the city. He asked merely for right
and justice. He thought that the services OF
the company in the past deserved consldera-
tor. This taking possession OF the house was
no new idca it was first Introduced 10 the other
Board duriog his ab5crce. He was not sur
priscd, for the person who introduced 1t came
amongst Us with our oppreSsors, and had dit
tercat ideas CT the rights Of property from ours.
The room was now rca!!pg for only ten dollars
a mooth, and cvety cen; Of the money was
placed 10 the hands CT Mr.. NJ. b. Harlow. 10
BE- applied 10 the purchase OF hose. lie again
asked for consideration Of the equitable Claims
o! the c,Gaploy, aud Thanked tie Board fer ITS
c1urtncv llSteOnu him.
Mr. Latham then retired.
Mr.. Marbury moved, 10 the absence OF MIR.
O'Nca, who had asked for reconsideration
Of the subject. that the matter lay over uutll
the next meeting.
MIR. Smoot SEW 90 reason for delay. Mr..
o. Neal had ucither heard the evidence or Mr..
Latham speech, and he (Nlr. S. was ready to
act now.
The motion to lay over Was adopted.
Alter transactiog some business OF minor lnl-
nortaocH the Board, at S:55 o'clock, adj
j2urncd
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council was well attended ct
the meeting held last night.
a considerable amount Of routine business
was transacted without debate, aud the boara
then took recess to await further business
from the Aldermen.
After al hours recess the Board reassem
bled, referred petition without debate, and
adjourned.