Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-10-10
CITY COUNCIL.
The City Council held lis first meeting, alter
he summer recess, last night.


the summer recess, last night.
BOARD. OF ALDERMEN.
This Board met at 7:40 clock, With seven
members present -
The chamber las been thoroughly cleaned,
renovated, ard pu. ia order by the efficient
Messenger, Mir. r. H. Rudd.
Mr.. Armstrong, from the Committee on Pub
lie Property, reported that the property At
Rumney's wharf, foot Of Duke street bad been
badly damaged by the high waters, AID would
require some $500 or $500 repairs.
The matter was recommitsed to The Commit
tee for de6oite report.
MIR. Armstrong asked for Information wheth.
er certsin necessary repairs to the roof of the
market house should be made By the Commit
tee on Public Property or the Commissioners
of the Sinking Fund. .
MIR. Strauss thought the Commissioners OF
the Sinking Fund should do the work.
The Chairman and Mr. Armstrong con
Cured.
Mr.. Smoot, to settle the matter, offered
resolution iustlucting the Committee 90 Public
Property to do the work which was adopted
The resolution for the purchase Of wood Tor
the poor coming 10 from the Common Council.
Mr.. Armstrong moved to strike out the clause
eptrusting the distribution Of the wood to the
Mayor. His objection arose from past cxper
fence and not from any distrust Of Mayer kcm,
per, for whom he had the highest respect. tie
did not like to impugn any mans motives, but
the manner of distribution last year looked very
much like cectioneering.
Mr., Strauss favored cutting lown the amount.
Many Of the people who called for wood IN the
winter, wasted their money 10 the summer. tie
moved to cut down the amount to enc hundred
and fifty cords.
Dir. Armstrong did Dot think less than two
hundred cords would do, if We had severe
winter. lie thought the difficulty last year
was 10 the distribution; he had caught two par
ties getting wood and trading it for whisky.
Nlr. Smoot thought the best Way was to make
DO approrratiou for wood, but allow the Over
seers OF the Poor to make their own arrange
meots for furnishing ii. He thought, t1y this
means, less would be called for.
Nj. O'Neal thought the O7erscerS had no
power to buy.
Mr.. Strauss called attention to the fac. that
the Orerseers had too much power and should
be restricted.
After some further debate tic amendment Of
Mr. Armstrong was lost.
Mr.. Strauss withdrew bis amendment.
The action Of the Common Council was then
coucurred 10.
On the petition of the hucksters 10 the mar
kct for reduction Of license tax,
Mr., O'Neal moved to non concur in the &c
lion Of the Common Council. He thought the
tax should be reduced, as their business had
fallen eff greatly, aud the license OF the Adams
Express Company had been reduced for that
reason.
Mr.. Armstrong favored the relucioo. as did
also
Mr.. Strauss, who moved to reduce to ten
dollars.
Mr.. Smoot moved to reduce the license to
fifteen dollars.
Mr.. Armstrong wanted the reduction to be
made to ten dollars.
Co.. Reid moved to reduce the tax ooe third :,
as in the case Of the Adams Express Company,
aud MesSrI Smoot and Strauss having with
drawn their motions. that OF Col. Reid was
adopted.
The claim of Dr.. J. Is. johnson, for repairs
to the Friendship Engine House, coming 10
from the Common Council,
Mr.. Armstrong said there seemed 10 be 90
means Of getting rid Of this bill except by pay
log il. He had been toid bS Dr.: johnson that
the Company would wiIiiocy give up ali claim
TO the property. The morey was mostly due
By Dr.. johnson for taxes en7 how, and Ronid
not have 10 be paid out.
Mr.. Murbury said that The Committee no.
derstood that the title vas 10 the tompany and
would DOT be given np.
Mr.. Armstrong said that under those circum.
stances be would Dot favor the claim.
The report OF the Flnarce Committee re-
jectioE. the claim was then coucurred in.
Mr.. Armstrong called attention 10 the rent
ing ont Of the Sun Eoene House by the Com
.bok Io MI
ton in regard thereto By the next meeliog.
The resolution for the purchase OF seven CO.
pies Of the city atlas, by Hopkins & Co., com
ine 10 irom the Comuoo Council,
Mr.. Smoot opposed the purchase, aud moved
10 buy four copies.
Mr.. Strauss moved to make the number four,
which was carried, but subs :laently reconsider
Cd aud FIVE copies ordered.
The matter Of filing up the sunken lots on
ROYAL street, between Queen aud Princess, was
discussed, but finally lad over until the next
meeting.
The Board then went into Joint convention,
and, upon its return, transacted some business
OF minor importance, aud adjourned about
1915 o'clock.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council held its regular meet,
Jog last night.
Mr. Latham, in submitting the reports Of the
Fuance Committee, said be desired to be under
stood that in the signature to report, Hugh
Latham for the committee" he spoke for the
whole committee, aud that only oncfourth OF
the responsibility was his.
4 number of reports from the official pro-
ceedines) were made.
Mr.. Latham, in presenting q report OF ma
icriiy Of the Finance Committee adverse to the
claim Of Dr.. johnson for repairs to the Friend
ship Eogi0e House, said he did SO merely Tor
the committee. He had not signed the report
and be believed the bill ought TO be paid.
Mr.. Adams said be had never been n the
Council Chamber but once before he was elect.
cd member He had uever yet been 10 the
Board of Aldermen, and did not know where
they met. Mr.. Eaton had shove him bu. he
was not certain he knew even now. As to the
bill OF Dr. Johbsou he koeH very little about it,
but if Mr.. Evans was here he could explain it,