Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-16
GEoRGETOwN IN 1905 AND g.
MUNICIPAL LEGISLATION OF TEE PERIOD.

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THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER CHANNEL
THEN, As NOW. AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT
''sTAR sPASGLED BANNER KEY OK THE LAW
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION, Erc
There was published in the double sheet STAR
few weeks since some interesting extracts
from ancient municipal records Of Georgetown
in the early years of the present century bring
ing review of the municipal legislation of that
period down to the year 1905.
THE cAUsEwAY TO MAsOSs (Now ANALOsrAN)
ISLAND.
Continuing an examination Of the records we
find that March 81, 1905, a Joint committee was
appointed relative to the causeway or dam to
be erected from Mason's (now Anaiostan) Island,
on the Virginia shore and resolution was
adopted requesting OF Mr.. Thomas Moore any
plan or information he may be disposed to COM
municate on the subject of the causeway or dam
contemplated to be erected across the river Po-
tomack to the Virginia shore, and to lay the
game before this board"
On the 18th of March resolution was intro
duced in the common council that Whereas it
Is evidently of the first importance to the inter-
ests, growth and prosperity of Georgetown that
Che navigation of the river POtOmack below
the town, should be as opened and i'm
PiONtu IT'S W duiiiJ NtSSpiS O1 greater
draught Of water to pass than can navigate the
channel at present; and whereas it appears to be
the opinion of many sensible and judicious men
that the erection of causeway or dam from
MaSOn's Island to the Virginia shore would pro-
duce the desired effect: and whereas Mr. Mason
IN his letter to the joint committee hath pro-
posed certain terms and conditions on which he
Will consent that the causeway or dam shall be
located, and it being the opinion of the corpora
ton, in consideration of the magnitude and i'm
portance of the subject that measures should be
taken without delay to place the work
In state of progression, therefore re-
solved. that committee of three be appointed
one from the board of aldermen and two from
the common council, who shall be fully author
lied and empowered to confer negotiate and
contract with Mr.. Mason for the right to erect
the causeway. making the terms and conditions
proposed in the letter of Mr.. Mason's the basis
of their contract; instructed, however. to use
exertions TO obtain REIMBURSEMENT of the stip-
UlatiOn to keep the causeway in repair, which
stipulation, it is conceived, ought not to be ex-
acted" Laid over for consideration.
AT the following meeting this was adopted,
with an amendment that a stipulation should be
added In the agreement with Gen. Mason that
An the event of the causeway becoming public
highway without the consent of the corporation
OF Georgetown. and contrary to the meaning
and intention of the parties then the corpora
tion. and not Gen. Mason, to have claim on the
authority making the same public highway for
the expense of its erection.
A PROTEST AND RESIGNATION.
April IL, 1905, the president of the council had
before the board a protest and resignation as
follows: by the President of the Board of Com
mon COuncil:-Believing one of the articles of
the rules of this board, to wit: that which de-
prives the president of a vote. except when the
council is equally divided. to be contrary to the
true intent and meaning of the charter-he.
therefore. protests against said article and
makes this his resignation Of the chair and re-
turns to the board of council. for which he was
elected" and then he left the chair and with
drew
The board, in the absence of the president,
proceeded to the choice of president pro tenn,
when VIM o. Sprgg was declared to be duly
elected. The board then proceeded to consider
The said resignation of the president. and this
question being put. that the board accept the
same, it was resolved in the negative
FUNDS FOR THE CAUsEwAY.
The committee appointed to confer with a
committee of the Bank of Commerce to know
what aid the corporation might expect from the
bank, if they undertake the causeway. made a
report ''that the gentlemen who were appointed
on the part of the bank informed your commit
tee that the directors of the bank are disposed
TO aid the corporation literally, if such plan
be adopted and such means engaged to execute
IL as will inspire confidence; that the work will
be performed in due and in proper manner and
lied by an act of Congress- and the faith Of the
corporation be pledged for the reimbursement of
loans made as early as may be.
April ID, 1905 resolution was adopted that
so much of one of the standing rules which de-
clares that the president shall not vote unless
the vote be equally divided be, and the same is
hereby, rescnded.
The president then appeared and took his seat.
A bill was passed leyying tax on real prop
erty in Georgetown, and directing the erection
Of q causeway.
THE OPINION OF PHILIP BARTON KEY.
A resolution was introduced that the mayor be.
and he is hereby directed to obtain in writing
the opinion of Philip Barton Key. esq, on the
points raised by the president of the board re-
speeding the restriction of his vote upon all ques-
lions except when the vote is equally divided
and that the mayor be directed to lay the opn-
ion Of Mr. Key before the board as soon as OBJ
tanned.
ordered that Mr. Luff borough have leave to with
draw the resolution offered by him relative to
taking the opinion of Philip Barton Key on the
construction of the act to amend the charter of
Georgetown.
At the meeting April 25 same year. a resolu-
ton was adopted that the president be requested
to address a letter TO Washington Bowie. re-
questing to know whether he considers himself
any longer a member of this corporation and to
request an answer in writing.
May 6th.-The president laid before the board
q letter from Washington Bowie resigning his
seat as member of the council, which was read
for information.
THE CAUsEwAY AGREEMENT AND CONTRACT
SIGNED.
Saturday. June l. 1SO5.-The board of alder
men attended in the chamber of the board Of
common council. where the agreement between
the corporation and John Mason and also the
agreement between the corporation and Thomas
More 1.-THE latter for CONSTRUCTING the dam or
causeway) We're signed by the mayor in the
presence with the court and by the order of the
corporation sitting as such.
TURNPIKE TO ALEXANDRIA, AND THE ''DAM"
TAX.
The ID Of June. 1865, Gen Mason and Benja-
min Stoddert were appointed committee to
join gentlemen appointed by the corporation of
Alexandria for making turnpike road between
Alexandria and Georgetown
Friday. December 18th, 1905, leave was given
Mr.. Norsei TO bring in resolution respecting
the collection of Dam" tax.
Thursday. March, q, 1906, on motion, "Re-
solved that the recorder (Mr. Francis S. Key
be requested to furnish his opinion as to the
right of the president of the board of common
councils of voting all questions which may
come before that board"
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER MORE IMPORT
THAN THE A TOWN HALL