Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-11-21
CITY COUNCIL.

/
treasury Department, calling the attention
OF the City to the fact that it had not com
Piled with the recent decision of Judge
Hughes directing the City to surrender tc
the United States the 5000 shares of stock
of the Alexandria Canal Company.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
In this Board the communication from,
the Mayor with accompanying papers civ
ing history of the case, together with an
| opinion of Messrs. c. T.. Stuart and J, NJ
Johnson, the latter gentleman stating that
the city would either have to comply with
! the terms of the decree or appeal. were
! read
al". Strauss thought that tho opinion OF
Judge Hughes might possibly be reversed
If the city would contest this case, and he
for one was in favor Of lighting it to the last
1t was for Council to decide whether or not
they should be thus feeccd.
Mr.. }. b. Smoot gave an interesting his.
tory of this case from the beginning and
said this was difficult question TO act on
in hurry especially. The case had come
| properly before the courts and had gone
against the city. He did not know where
the city would get the number of shares de-
| HflllQcu from ner.
The President thought Judge Hughes in
deciding the case against the city minated
that he did not enjoin the corporation to go
out upon tho market and buy the requisite
amount OF stock to meet the demand of the
Government.
MIR. Strauss was firmly convinced that an
appeal should DO taken from the decision OF
Judge Hughes. Tt was the duty of Con-
gress to relieve the city from the demand
The corporation would be compelled TO 20
out upon the street to buy this stock, which.
though nominal now in value, would be
run to high figures when the owners there
OF became aware Ct the fact that the city
was compelled to purchase it. He thought
IT best to take the case to the Supreme
Court.
Mr.. j. B. Smoot moved TO refurthc matter
to the Committee on General Laws.
Mr.. Rishcill Thought the Finance Com
mittcc the proper one and made motion
to that effect.
The President said Mr.. Bayly had been
promised by the Mayor an answer in the
case BY Wednesday at | O'clock.
The Mayor, who was present, explained
the circumstances Of Mr.. Bayly's visit to
| him, and how he had promised that gentle
man to call Council together Immediately
and give him definite answer as to what
would he done by Wednesday at l o'clock.
Mr.. }. l.. Snoot supposed the Govern
ment officials who were pushing this matter
were reasonable men, and could dot expect
an answer III such 4 short time. The city
should have more than twcnty-four hours
notice. The Mayor suggested that the
decree OF the Court WAS issued on the 9th of
| October. At any rate he wanted more tim q
to consider the question
Mr.. Strauss said before voting Oh the dis.
position Of the case he desired to consult
the attornics on the subject Georgetown
and Washington, he understood, were in
the same tx rs Alexandria in regard to the
canal. He WAS opposed to tameiy snb-
hitting to the demand.
Mr. Rishcll's motion. referring the whole
matter to the Finance Committee, was then
seconded and adopted, when the Board al.
joucDcd.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council called meeting last
night, was attended by quorum. The
Council was called to order and then took
4 long recess to await the action Of the
board OF Aldermen upon the proposal to
take au appeal from Judge Hughes dcci-
'ioh "a CIV SlE.tl Cast. .lllcF an nOtlf ) re-
cess, resolution came from the Aldermen
referring the Mayors communication re.
latire to the canal stock to the Finance
| Committee
Mr.. Eichbcrg said that the City's counsel
had promised to communicate to the Fnan-
&c Committee tho result Of the suit. and
advice, and he had waited for it in vain
until tonight. He continued: If we en-
ploy counsel, like to go according to the
opinion of counsel, hut this is too short a
notice.
Mr.. Rice roso to speak.
The Chair said that Mr.. Rice was not in
order.
Mr.. Rice said no had u right to discuss the
matter, rs we'll as Mr.. Eichbcrg. He was
| elected by constituency with the same
| rights.
The Chair had no objection to hearing
Alr. Rice, but there was a nothing before
the house.
motion TO concur WAS made AMI sec
onded
The Chair, now III hear Mr.. Rice with
pleasure
Mr.. Rice declined to discuss the matter
further.
Mr. Nails expressed his concurrence with
the motion to concur, and the Council con-
Cured, and adjourned.