Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-04-24
CITY COUNCIL.
The regular semi monthly meeting Of tie
City Council was held last night.


City Council was held last night.
BOARD OF ALDEEXEy.
Ia this Board there was full atten ianco OF
members.
After the appointment Of Messrs. Smo3t and
Reid as proxies to represent the city, Ia lno
meeting of the Alexandria Canal Company,
Mr. Martury. from the Finance Committee
reported the Salary bill.
MIR. Smoot hoped the bill would come from
the other Board. If The Board took up the
bill its passage would require six votes, and 1t
would be i'm apostolic to obtain that number.
Mr. Strauss advocated committee of con.
ference of two from each Ward.
Mr. Downham said that this had already
been done.
The bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Dowubam moved that the bill bo put
upon its second reading.
COL Reid moved an amendment that the
Mayors salary be reduced to $500 instead OF
| $500, and ] per cent. commission on hocDses
instead of -, aud called for tho ayes and
D0es
MIR. Armstrong was 10 favor Of beginning at
the head and going to the foot 10 the matter OF
reductions, exempuug 20 one.
The amendment WAS Hostages 4, noes 4.
MIR. Dowuham opposed aoy reduction of the
sals ries of the officers, and said that they were
as low now as they should 10 justice be to re-.
quire proper discharge of the duties OF the
officers.
Col. Reid could not reconcile tho idea of the
city compromising its debt at 81 cents on the
dollar with lis creditors, and not reducing these
salaries, which last act would coDfrm the
creditors in the justice of Councils action %
the debt question.
Mr. Armstrong opposed the reduction OF
salaries and spoke against the creation OF tue
city debt.
Mr. Dowoham claimed that the bonds Of the
city at SO cents 10 the dollar would pay as much
as apy stock held by creditors 10 the present Ii
naucial distress of the couotry, and referred to
| the depreciation of the stocks OF the w. q y.
+ +: + f. the C. 4 o. R. h. and the B. q o.
COL Reid replied that the B. II 0. bonds
| were at par.
Mr.. Armstrong denied the right Of creating
debt and taxing property without the consent
of The minority. The government was created
for the purpose of protecting the minority
agaius; tie majority. These railroad stocks
would outive the world. for tho world would new
er sac them paid. The railroads had been curse
to he city of Alexandria. He was surprised
to hear gentlemen get up aud talk about these
precious bonds.
Mr.. Strauss thought there was misuuder.
s!audiug. These officers cannot be couso!idat
ed. These offices were to be elected by the
people uuder the charter. II the officers were
not to be paid, then let the salaries be abolish
ed, aud make them Offices OF honor. Lie was
not io favor of cutting down the salaries, but if
the cficss could be made Of honor merely, it
was the duty of the city to do it.
MIR. Smoot moved reduction OF - per sent
On all salaries.
Col. Reid moved to reconsider the acion Of
the Board by which the amendment reducing
the Mayors salary was lost.
The Chair decided that the member could
cot move to reconsider. having voted in the at
irmative.
Mc. Armstrong, who voted in tho negative,
moved to reconsider.
MIR. Snoot moved his substitute, Which the
Chair ruled out of order.
Col. Reid moved to amend by reducing the
salary Of the Auditor % per cent-ayeS 4,
noes /.
The amendment was declared lost.
eSR tS 5 sd Save dsd h
The Chair ruled that after the reading the
notiou could be made to adopt tho bill as o
whole.
MIR. Armstrong was Dot 10 favor Of reducing
one salary without including all in the reduc
ton.
MIR. Strauss said the only mode Of reduction
expedieut would be the consolidation of some
of the offices and not by reducing Salaries aud
az the consolidation could not DO effected ex.
oept by an act Of the Legislature, which could
not low be obtained, be was, therefore, 10 tn
vor OF voting for tho whole bill.
Col. Reid moved 10 reconsider the action OF
the Board 6xing the salaries of Mayor and An
ditor-ayes ), noes 3. 80
Tho motion to reconsider was declared car
ried.
Ga motion Of Mr.. Smoot reduction Of 20
per cent. was made 10 the salaries of the May
or, Auditor Superintendent Of Police, Chief
Engineer of the Fire Department, Clerk OF the
Common Council, Messenger Of Council, Cierk
of the Board of Aldermen, Messenger of the
Board of Aldermen, Physicians to the Poor,
Clerk of tho Market Corporation Attorney,
City Surveyor, Keeper Of the ToWo Clock,
Clerk of the COMMITTEE on Light, Steward OF
Offices and Keeper Of the Aims House.
Col. Raid moved that the Tax Collectors re-
ccisc per cent OF the frat two thousand and
az increase of ono half per cent on each add
tioua ten thousand dollars up to three and
| half per cent. -,
A lengthy discussion ensued upon this
! amendments participated 10 by Messrs. DoWo'
ham, Reid, O'Neal and Armstrong, after which
the amendment was adopted.
| The bill was then put upon Its hna) passage
AID was lost. =,
| Col. r id moved to reconsider, and the
motion was adopted and The bill laid over un'
| I'll the next meeting.
Several petitions we're referred to appropriate
! committees and at TO- Is o CLOCK the Board ad.
journcd.
| COMMON COUNCIL
The regular meeting Of the Common Coun'
oil, Inst uigbt Was thinly attended.
Some discussion occurred 90 tho proposition
| TO improve Franklin street. Twas stated both
by the President and by Mr. Latham that Mr.
| Graves had already done considerable Wolk on
chat street with his horse and cart, and would
reoder considerable assistance to the work.
MIR. Evans thought that if money was to be
expended on any of the streets, 1t could be bet
I 90. ,,,,t m Gibhop fhon IN Franklin street.