Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-18
AIc1EIr GEORGETOWN RECORDS.
Curious Features Of Municipal Leg.
fslatfOn Eighty Years Ago.

A0O4604 0bU0d61VW0 06VU6USs
Curious Features Of Municipal Leg.
tslatfOn Eighty Years Ago.
CORPORATE MEETINGS AT TAvKRNs-OPPOSrTIoN TO
BUILDING THE LONG BRIDGB-BUILDING OF THE
ANALosTAN ISLAND cAUsEwAY-w. W. CoRco-
RAMS FATHER AS MAYOR: AND ''sTAR sPANGLKD
BANNER" KEY AS RECORDER OF THE TowN-
ORIGIN OF THs GEORGETOWN MARKET AND FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
Among the old corporation records OF George
town are to be found some interesting and some
curious enactments OF city ordinances. The
two boards appear to have had no fixed place
for their meetings at the beginning of the pres
ent century, and used to meet in some private
room, generally at tavern; the clerk who kept
the records taking the books Ia which the min
utes were entered home with him. SO that It
would be convenient TO carry them to what
ever place the board adjourned TO meet. When
the council would adjourn to meet at the house
OF some one OF the members. This system was
kept up until the town-house was built on
RneS ~ 1ScS mne In
was providing ways and means OF opening new
streets, and grading and paving them. These
stleeis mao also TO be extended, as the several
aadltlons were made to the city from time to
time by the purchase or condemnation Of the
adjoining farms, and 1t Is owing to these adii
lions that the plan OF parts OF Georgetown
ance. At meeting OF the corporation, held at
the tavern OF Charles Mclaughlin the 10th
December. 1901, committee, consisting OF
John Mason, was appointed to represent In
writing Immediately to the committee ap-
polnted by Congress to revise the assumption
OF the corporation of Georgetown, particularly
stating the debts which the corporation now
owe, and those due the corporation; that they
have instituted suits, and that they have en-
gagged TO petition Congress for law enabling
them to lay tax on those owners OF property
who have not before paid for paving the streets.
PRIMITIVE COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.
The corporation OF Georgetown used the
house OF Ignatius Newton, on Falls street. for
holding the courts from October term, 1899, to
agreement. The cellar of NeWton's house was
also used as jail from June 1900. to March.
1901, at $50 per year by special agreement.
DEMONSTRATING AGAINST THE BUILDING OF THE
LONG BRIDGE.
1t the succeeding meeting. January 4, 1892
the same committee was further instructed "to
represent to the committee of Congress the great
injury which certain bridge contemplated to
De thrown over the river Potomac below George.
town. and the petition respecting which has
been referred to them. will do the Inhabitants
or said town II carried into effect, and to re.
monstrate with them on the subject In the
strongest terms possible on the improperly of
sacrlhclDg, by creating such an obstruction to
munity to the other and the violation or pol1Tl-
cal ard natural rights which would be com
United by such an obstruction In the highway
OF the river Potomac
MARKET HOUSE LEGISLATION.
At meeting of the corporation August 10.
1902 resolution was adopted that John Mason,
Thomas Corcoran and Joseph E. RoWles be a
committee to collect Information as to certain
lois on which the market house. stands and
around the same. heretofore belonging to or
bought lor the use OF the corporation and COM
DOSING what Is called the market space, and
other matters affecting title to the same and
report at the neXt meeting.
AT the following meeting, 18th September J.
Mason made report that in February, 1895,
samuel Turner, jr., and John Threlkeld for
themselves and Others made proposition to
he corporation that they would give certain
ground for market house site, and build such
a market house thereon as the corporation
might deem necessary for the then convenience
II the town, provided the corporation would
agree 10 Tx on that spot as the market house,
and erect suitable improvements for the same:
hat the corporation did accept the offer. and
authorized the erection OF the market house;
nat ihereupon Samuel Turner, jr., John Tnrel.
aeld, and Charles A. Beatty CONTRACTED with
John Mitchell for such part of the ground as
oelonged to him, and with John Hohac for such
part as ne had claim to. Mitchelrs part 'front.'
Ing on Cedar Alley 246 feet and on Cherry
street l6 feet. for which they were to pay HIN
81 500 Cess $500 subscribed by hin). Hohac's
part fronting GAG feet on Cedar Alley and
pay him $1,000 Cess $500 subscribed by nim),
and the part agreed for with John H0sack
fronting ON Falls street 16 feet, and On Cedar
alley 96 feer, for which they agreed to pay him
e2uO that TO raise the requisite sums to pay the
purchase OF this ground subscription was set
On 1oot and the money raised, amounting TO
@oont S, l01. which was expended In laying ont
me ste erecting the market house, paying for
The lot bought OF Hosack, and in paying el06
T mynn1 Meheis ra claim that Messrs
n a,2
for the Old jail adjoining these lots, which taev
ere authorized TO dispose OF; thai Jonn
a!Icneli sun claimed elll.s as bllance due
MIN for the ground bought OF him and for
some bricks purchased; that Adam Kl1g's
claim OF e62 10 against Hosack's lot was uu.
settled. AID that no titles had then been made
20 the corporation or any person for them FOR
fl'her OF the grounds bought OF Mitchell and
Hosack, and that both Mitchell and Mr., King
refused TO make such titles until they received
ABSTRACTION Tor the respective balances due
them. The committee In their report recon-
mended settlement by compromise rather
than lawsuit. and stated that they had sent for
Mr.. Mitchell, in consideration OF his HAVING
retained possession OF small part of the
ground, which was impro 7ed By q house, the
tent OF which he has been In receipt OF, agreed
to withdraw his charge of interest and to cor
rect mistake found In the quantity OF bricks
charged, which reduced his charge to q total
OF $50, to which he probably had a fair claim,
out. IN the spirit OF compromise, he further
agreed TO reduce the sum to s59o.67, provided
The corporation would pay the same. This the
committee recommended be not done until
MeSsrs. Beatty, Turner and Threlkeld5 had
cleared tbs title Of the lot bought of Hosack-
and then involved with Adam King By paving
The demand OF the latter and produce a deed
from him to the corporation. BY mtsmanage-
inent or neglect On their part it appeared that
they have. after paying the consideration
money stipulated with Hosack and Charging
The same In their account submitted,
yet left the lot subject TO MIR. King for a plrt'
OF the money then due to him from Hosack for
the original purchase thereof. The COMMITTEES
also reported that between the lots deScribed.
bought OF Mitchell and Hosack, was a lot be-
longing to the corporation, formerly bought of
Adam King, on which stood the old jail, front.
Jog "a feet on Cedar alley, and running back 76
rect, for which no title TO the corporation had
oeen made, out that no obstacle existed to o.
tanning the same, as MIR. King then acknoWl-
edged that he had been fully paid. When that is
completed, and the titles obtained for the lots
bought OF Mitchell and Hosack, the ground
occupied for the market space would then be
bounded by four right lines, forming long
square, fronting I6 feet inches on Falls (no y
Biidge} street; 366 feet On Cedar alley and Is
feet s inches on Cherry street. resolution
vas adopted deferring any decision On the re.
port until deed be produced from Adam King
tor the lot purchased OF Ho5ack.
'CoNJURERs DISAPPOINTMENT"
at subsequent meeting Of the council Il
vas resolved that Mtchell's proposition re-
5pecting the remainder CT the purchase money
for lQT Of ground a rnoortad nv tho ooro