Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-01-23

members present.
After disposiog CT several minor matters
without debate,
The communication of the Suo Fire Com.
paoy coming up and being read,
Col. Reid moved to refer the claim to the
Committee on Claims. He saw 90 reason for
q special committee, as the Committee 90
Claims could attend to the matter.
MIR. Strauss said the Sun Company hal
asked for special committee, and the Com
mittcc on Claims had . great deal to do. tic
urged tho appointment of q special committee.
Col. Reid said the claim of the company
stood in the same position as the claim OF any
other corporation or citizen, and nc must dc,
cline to change his motion. The reference CT
this matter to special committee had been
heretofore moved BY MIR. Strauss, Gu. nc de-
clined 10 serve on tho committee.
MIR. Armstrong saw 90 particular objection
TO special committee. but thought tho Com
mittec 90 Claims the proper place for it. The
claim would probably reach $1,000 or 81 400.
Mr.. O'Neal said that the company seemed
to nut the Council at defiance. II the Sun
Company was to rule the Council then let it be
known. He thought the question of damages
was one to b., considered after the city got
possession Of the property.
Col Reds motion was finally carried.
The petition of Robert Smith regarding the
contract for repairing the American coal wharf
being read,
Mr.. Strauss made statement Of the various
bids, and the action of the committee thereon.
he was opposed to wasting the Corporation 8
money. The remarks of Mr.. Strauss develop
ed the fact that there had been disagree
meut in the Committee
MIR. Armstrong replied to Mr. Strauss aud
repealed the idea that he wanted to waste the
city money. Mr.. Hawxburst, who had Sc
cured the coatract for the lumber. bad fur
nishcd similar several years ago, and it
proved bad economy. lie said that the porous
wood to be put on the wharf would not stand.
He would not vote for money to patch up and
botch the wharf, aud be believed fully one third
of the money would be squaudered. He would
ask the Board to relieve him from service 90
the committee.
Col. Reid opposed relieving the gentleman;
if he chose he could make minority report,
and Council would sustain one or the other
side OF the committee.
Mr. Armstrong hoped that he would be re-.
lieved, as he could do no good in the commit.
tee now.
Mr.. Strauss said that if Mr.. Armstrong was
relieved he would resign. He considered Mr.
tllSlelll, tue OL0er UemUer OI LUO committees,
an excellent judge Of lumber.
MIR. Armstrong said he could not agree with
the other members Of the committee and
tinued at great length on the American wharf,
the Duke street wharf. &C.
The Board refused to excuse Mr.. Armstrong.
Mr.. Strauss said majority of the committee
must rule, and they had right to their opin.
ions as we'll as Mr.. Armstrong. He favored
renting the wharf hereafter with the under.
standing that the rentor should keep it 10 re-
pair. If the wharf could be fixed 80 as to las!
iYe six years be favored doing SO. He was
opposed to spending any more money than was
absolutely necessary at present.
Mr.. Smoot suggested that MIR. Evans be re.
quested to attend the meetings of the commit
tee. He was very practical mao, bridge
builder, &c., and could probably give valuable
help.
MIR. Strauss said that Mr.. Evans had been
notified and had never attended. Ho did not
like the remark of Mr.. Smoot, which he
thought reflected on the majority of the com.
mittee. He asked to be excused from serving
further on the committee.
MIR. Smoot dscIamed any intention to reflect
on the committee.
Col. Reid said that Mr.. Evans had, for the
past two months. been necessarily absent from
the city.
The request Of Mr.. Strauss fer excuse was
refused.
The petition OF Robert Smith was then laid
on the table, 10 order to allow further time for
consultation among the members of the com.
mittec.
After some routine busoess OF 10 special in.
terest, the Board, at Obs o'clock, adj burned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council held its regular sami.
monthly meeting last night, the attendance
both Of members and spectators being good.
Nearly all the business was transacted without
debate.
The President said that the list Of the taxes
due had been sent 10 by the collectors, and was
before Council.
Mr.. Beach hoped the matter would be post
poned for the present.
MIR. Risbeill thought that the subject vas
most important one. If the collectors could
not collect the SEQ, 900 due. the bills should be
put in the hands of some one else
The President said that some of the taxes on
the list we're erroneous. When the list was
first prepared he looked over it. and saw that
he was put down as owing sec taxes lie called
the attention of the collectors to the matter,
and it was found to be an error.
The subject was referred.
A communication from the Mayor, stating
that in consequence of resolution of the Sun
Fire Company. asking for conference with
committee of Council, he had deferred taking
possession of che Sun house, was received from
che Aldermen with reference to the Commit.
Tee on Claims
MI. RiSheill said be would like to know what
authority the Mayor had for neglecting to en-.
force the order of Council 10 take possession of
the Sun building.
The President-The Mayor doubtless did 50
from courtesy. The question referred is. how
ever, a question of claims. and has nothing to
do with the possession of the house.
1t was moved that the Aldermen's reference
tc the Committee on Claims be concurred in.
Mr.. Latham-Who are the committed
The Clerk-Couucilmen Peake and Moore,
and Aldermen O'Neal and Strauss.
Mr.. Naturalization
The reference was agreed to.
A report Of the Committee on Claims ad.
~ 80