Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-06-29

make good the losses sustained by me suretles
from the failure Of the CONTRA to DO his duly.
In speaking of the sureties he would say that
one or TWO of them were not referred 10 10 the
remarks he made. The contractor was UnliGd
States officer when he took the contract TO build
the market house. He continued 10 hold that
Office, and was not here halt the time TO inspect
the construction OF The building, when mao
cost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, Ter
take the hundred thousand dollars y. a. a. H.
K, bonds that we gave for it, and on which the
interest had TO be paid every year, and you will
soon sec that the building cost enough. tie
coudu't vote for the claim coDsclentously. He
was property holder and represented prop
erty holders. and he would be doing justice
neither to lLem nor himself il he voted for 1t.
People who dou't have taxes TO pay could vote
for It. az il wouldn't afftot them either way.
H had been solicited TO- day to vote Tor 1t, and
! supposed every other member had, aud though
he synpathzad with the sureties, his duty to
his constituents would not allow him to vote Tor
| it. He had done wrong when he agreed to
vote for half of it; and took this opportunity to
correct that wrong, and to do what he could to
protect the interests Of the citizens:
Mr.. Seals said he was probably, tie only
member vino had no taxes to pay. lie had not
been solicited to vote for the claim, but as he
believed it 10 be just claim, ne intended to
vote tor it. MIR. Broders and every one else
knew that the claim had been fully investigated
! hy the committee who recommendeo us pay
meut. 1t MIR. Delahay was United States
| officer, or Whaihcr the suretles made any money
hy becoming such, were not In dispute Inc
questions were whether the money asked TOR
was well spent, aud whether we mad gooa
market house, both Ct which had been answer
ed afhrmativeIy, the latter by people all over
the country, the former by those who knew OF
tic claim. lie wouldn't be benefited by the
MASSAGE of the claim, but he should vote for 1t
nevertheless
nlr. Hughes was sorry Mr. Broders bad changed
his opinion. 1t was granted that the gentlemen
had no legal claim, but they had moral claim
and strong one. The city had got more than
rh- worth of ts money. The committee, or
scme, thought the city had got double the
worth OF its money The contractor lost money
hy the bricklayers. Hc, the speaker, believed
tic other mechanics did the contractor Justice.
a great deal Of the material vas purchased be
| los Inc regular price. All Of it was purchased
at the lowest price. The speaker thought it
was nothirg more than right to pay the
amount claimed. The suretils thought, and
were led to believe, that when they flushed tho
hni!ding they would be reimbursed their ad.
vancas.
Mr. Brodars said ho had mol changed his
mind. He favored the payment Of $1,000, as
originally he did.
Mr.. Evans rcrrobatcl the action OF The
member from the 81 ward 10 casting an lmpu'
tation 90 gentlemen whose names stood as fal
in this community as his own.
The Chair interrupted, and said the re.
marks OF The gentleman from tic Fl ward
| 4 io6 m oil IN
The gentleman could proceed, provided his re-
marks were not personal
Mr.. f., continuing, said it was not in the
proviuca OF any member to come here and at
tack the character Of cilzans. This money
claimed was not money which the suretles ex-
pacted to make, but it was money they had
nut into the building. The speaker thought
there was q legal and moral responsibility upon
the city to pay the BILL :,
Mr. Brudrrs asked if all extra work was paid
for, was there any obligation on the city.
Mr. Hughes admitted that to be the case,
huy the Commissioners of The Sinking Fund =
all but one-belicvcd that the city had got the
building at $40 600 less than it should haVo
been. He thought the moral obligation was so
siroug be should have 10 vote Tor II. Ii vas
true there was some force in the argument that
! it was upjust to the other bidders, but admit
ting that and paying the bill the cost OF the
building would be less than the lowest bidder.
Mr. Miller was in favor of paying the whole
bill.
Mr. Latham regretted to be compelled to
state the position he would assume. All cou-
Doctad with the matter he held as friends;
some s.rorg and particular frieods. lie pro-
posed to ask question and show that the Or
der canuot be complied With. Council had 20
more right to dircc! the Commissioners to pay
this money than to direct Charles K. Hootf to
pay it. Let Council direct the Auditor to pay
it, The Commissioners were not created to
| Obey Council in this particular. This order
cangat be obeycd; this order cannot be CO.
forced. He regretted il had come 10 this form.
| With all his sympathy for Mr.. Delahay be
should do as he had always done-1o his duty
aud would not be swayed by sympathy in
| this particular. The Commissioners could not,
under law, dsburse money. Yonder sts the
gentleman (pointing to Mr.. Brockett) who di.
reefs the disbursements, and the Treasurer
pays upon his order Change the phraseology
and let the matter come before Council in the
proper form.
MIR. Hughes claimed that the Market Mas.
ter was paid by the Commissioners OF the Sink
ing Fund by direction Of Council. This is a
matter affecting the market house aud it was
| nTbptr tNG COiulnlsStOucTh Suuuiu pay IL Ny III
rccion Of the Council. He looked upon lt as
if the Council deemed this money due.
Mr.. Seals wanted to know if the Commits
sioncrs we're not acting as trustees and could
act together with the Council |?
The President read the Law cooferring pow
els Of the Sinking Fund in relation to the dis.
| burscmcnts OF moneys for the information of
the members. After reading the law the Presi
| dent claimed there was nothing 10 it empower
ing the Sinking Fuoi Commissioners to dis.
burse this money.
A colloquy upon this subject cnsued between
| the President and Mr.. EVaos.
| The Chair directed the Clerk to call the yeas
and noes.
Mr.. LambAn said be believed he stood cx-
cuscd on the question.
The Chair answered in The affirmative.
The action Of the Board Of Aldermen Was
then concurred ip---ayes H. noes 2.
Mr.. blarburr arose to offer resolution OF
| II L.. "a