Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-05-21
Board of Aldermen.


Board of Aldermen last night to consider the
Revenue bill.
The Board was called to order at s. 10 O'Clock
With all Of the members present.
The Revenue bill was then read second
time.
MIR. Armstrong moved to strike out So as
the rate Of taxation and insert s l.5O.
Mr.. Smoot desired some further information
as to the basis Of taxation and how much the
assessment had been reduced.
Col. Reid thought the proposed reduction
proper one, as there seemed no chance to get
anything besides coupons for taxes.
MI. Armstrong spoke iu iavcr OF tho reduc'
ton and claimed that it would redound to the
great benefit of the people. lie ln7clghed
against the stock jobbcrs, and considered tue
bonds as the products Of perjury. lie main.
tained that 81 so was as much as GOULD be paid
by the citizens. lie denounced the city debt
as an unjust one, and slid that although ma
ioritv of voters had sanctioned 1t ne did not
consider himself or the minority bound thereby.
He believed that the Councllwould be lustlhed
in refusing to take coupons and making the tax
payable in u. s. currency.
MIR, Strauss asked for Information ahou! the
bill from the Finance Committee.
Mr.. DoWnham read a statement Of tho prop
able receipts and expenditures Tor the next year,
showing the necessity Tor - tax
Mr. Smoot moved to amend the amendment
by fixing the tax at $l.75. lie favored lighter
taxation but did not see that less than tbat oou'u
be done with now. =,
Mr.. Armstrong asked if Mr.. Saoot would
agree to further anhndnect, requiring cur
rent funds and excluding coupons.
N1r. Smoot would gladly 30 so. but Thought
the Council had no power to lake such aet'ou;
MIR. Armstrong argued TO the contrary Anu
favored trying the experiment.
Mr.. Strauss thought that $3.50 would pay
the Expenses, il economy was used. lhr gas
house would briug 10 nearly $40. 900 and the
aims house could be 1un much cheaper, say
$1,000. The great trouble was that taxes were
not collected close cnougtl. All shou'd be re.
required to pay:
MIR. Armstrong said that all the taxes levied
had never been collected IL any place under
heaven. He attacked Mr.. Strauss remarks
about the aims house, and said 1t ySrnld be
more meroiful to hang the poor thaa TO at
tempt to support them on $4,000.
Messrs. Strauss and Armstrong here had ap
argument as to tho manner of collecting 'ax"s,
and the right to refuse coupons
Mr.. Marbury said that members should re-
collect that large part of the taxes would be
paid 10 coupons and very little money received.
lie favored 81 which would reduce the deot
somewhat by absorbing coupons. =,
Co., Reid did not sec how the ~ tax Would
accomplish much in taking up coupons. there
we're coupons enough out to absorb 81. lie
would like to know what amount vas TO be re-
allied from delinquent tax bills.
Mr.. Strauss favored taslcG more time to con
slider this matter
MIR. Dowuham saii I,t ooilt c!ors would ma ke
their report Ia Ii short time as required by
law.
The Finance Committee proposed to take
coupons for all back tax bills due up to July
| aud thereafter to refuse them and LEI tne
holdera force their reception.
MIR. Armstrong further moved to amend BY
making the tax $3.50, payable in United States
lunds.
Mr.. O'Neal could not favor this last amend
ment. lie thought that others had rights as
we'll az the city, and that the holders OF coupons
we're entitled to their money. The collectors
wero obliged to returo many bills as delinquent
because they could find no personal property
and had been given DO authority to sell real
estate. lie questioned the right OF the fInaoce
Committee to refuse tho coupons
MIR, Dowpham said that stop had TO be
put 10 their reception somewhere, II anything
was to BIO done towards the debt compromise
and the committee thought that they might AZ
we'll take the responsibility new.
Mr., Armstrong arose to speak, when
MIR. Marbury called him TO order under the
rulo limiting member 10 two speeches on any
subiect. lie said that the member took up the
whole time of tho Board, speaking eight or ten
times on every subject.
MIR. Armstrong took his seat.
The amendment fixing the tax at $3.50 was
then voted on aud adopsed-ases 6. noes 2.
MIR. Armstrong moved to reduce the tax on
private boarding houses from $40 to 50. These
houses we're generally conducted by poor WHO"
ladies' and SIS was tax enough.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Armstrong moved to increase the tax on
telegraph companies to 5000. The Western
Union Company had bought out tho other
company and put up the prices OF messages
and should pay the tax formerly imposed on
both. -,
Mr.. Strauss was afraid the increase would BE-
taken out Of tho people and tho business com
munity.
The amendment failed for want of second
MIR. Strauss moved TO strike out tho dlstino
ton 10 taxation between male and female dogs
COL Reid moved to make the tax s.. 50 each
on each GLASS of dogs.
MIR. Armstrong moved to make the tax - ST
for male dogs aud SIS for females.
Messrs. Downham and Smoot thought that
low tax would realize more.
The amendment Of Mi. Armstrong was Voted
down and various others failed for want OF
second.
Another long discussion ensued as 10 the 70
ception of coupons for licenses, but DO action
was taken.
Tho bill was then put upon it's passage and
adonted-ayes 7, noes mir. Moore.
The Board at 9.45 adjourned.
CoLoREp CoNsERv ALIVE CLUB.-,Tho Color
cd conservative club met last night IN 1hel'
room, opposite the Friendship epelne nous &c.
r. B. Hopkins. the president, IN the onalr' aou
j. Lane, secretary pro tenn. ., ,bo
Nearly all tho members who votea AZ , tn,
primary election were present, and tnosc Ins'
we're not, sent notes regretting tnat tley "e'-
of of