Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-05-24

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The Board of Aldermen was called TO
order at S o'clock, with all the members
present.
Mr. J. B. Smoot, from the Finance Com
mittee, reported back all the papers in
reference to the appropriation of 81 800 for
the purchase ola steamer to run between this
city and the Maryland shore without recon-
mendation, and requested that the commit
tee be discharged from the further consider
alton Of the subject.
The report was received and the request
granted without debate.
Mr.. Risheill offered resolution abolish
ing the Office of Overseer of Outdoor Poor
and said he desired the resolution to be re-
ferrcd TO the Committee OH General Laws
that the matter might be investigated He
had no doubt of the efficiency of the present
Overseer of Outdoor Poor, but he thought
the work Of relieving the poor could be bet
ter performed by the Society of St. Vincent
de Paul and the Ladies' Union Relief, as
these societies had committees for the pur
pose of enquiring into the condition of those
applying for assistance. He knew that the
Orerscer of Ooutdor Poor had been i'm
posed upon.
Mr.. Strauss said the Office was good one,
ing it. Capt Rock had proved faithful
officer, saving Il great deal Of money to the
city, cutting the expenses Of the outdoor
poor down from $500 to less than 81 800
He knew it was best for the city to con-
tinue the Office, and he hoped the resolu-
tion would be withdrawn.
Mr.. Risheill said he did not propose to
withdraw the resolution. He had reasons
for offering it which he would give at the
proper time. The men who received pro-
visions during the winter could not be i'll
duced to go to the country, where there
was plenty of work, in the summer The
city had been imposed upon.
Mr.. Strauss thought the member from the
Sd ward had acted too hastily in this matter,
and he hoped the resolution would be with
erslwn.
Col. Reid said the Overseer of Outdoor
Poor, All cstimable gentleman, had saved
much to the city, and he did not think Il
better plan for supplying the needy could
be devised. One Of the societies suggested
to look after the poor was composed of
ladicsand he did not think the ladies would
br either willing or competent to discharge
the duties of the Overseer. He moved that
the resolution be laid on the table.
Mr.. Downham Mr.. Moore in the chair
said he intended to introduce an act creating
a new office of Collector Of Wharfage at the
tishwharf and consolidating ii with the
office of Overseer of Outdoor Poor.
Mr.. Risheill in offering the resolusion did
not intend any reflection on Capt. Rock,
who, he thought, was the best Overseer of
Poor that could be secured.
Mr.. Strauss further opposed the resolu-
ton and called upon Mr.. c. G. Smoot to
give his views in regard to the efficiency of
the present OverSeer of Poor
Mr.. &. &. Smoot said Capt Rock had
proved an efficient officer, had worked faith
fully for the interest of the corporation and
was the man for the office, and the office
was a good one.
Mr.. Moore said the outside poor in past
years had been very expensive to the city
$500 was the expense for one year. He
could not think of better plan to relieve
the poor than the present one
= The resolution abolishing the Office of
Overseer Of Outdoor Poor was laid on the
table
Mr.. }. L. Smoot reported that the Colum-
hia Engine Company had agreed to postpone
their call for the 81 700 for their new house
until July 1888, and presented resolution
TO that effect. He explained that the FL
nance Committee seeing that something
must be done i'll order to make tax of 81
on the 500 meet the expenses Of the Cor
poratlon for the coming year, had made an
appeal to the Columbia Company to post
! pone the building of new house, and to
the appeal the company had promptly re-
sponded.
! The resolution was adopted.
MIR. j. Il. Smoot then presented the ap-
preparation BILL the revenue bill and the tax
bill for the year ending May 81, 1883, which
were read and referred back to the Finance
Committee
The appropriations for the year 1888
amount to $50, 1872, an increase over 1882 of
Sll,929.50 The salaries of Corporation
officers are unchanged, but the bill provides
for $4,000 for the Delahay suretes, 81 500
for the repair Of Union street, IS, 600 for
| public schools, and increases the appropria-
tons for the repair Of streets from $1,000 to
$500, law expenses from $500 to 81 900, and
for the Fire Department from $500 to
$4,000. Other slight increases and decreases
are made. The revenue bill increases the
taxes for 1888 from $3.50 to - on the 500.
The license bill is the same as the one of
1882.
Mr.. Smoot, with some explanations. then
| announced that 50 on the 500 was the
lowest tax the Finance Committee could
recommend for the coming year.
The chair appointed Col. Reid and Mr.
Marbury members of the committee on the
part of this Board to confer with the Trus-
tees of the Orphan Asylum in reference to
securing that property for public school
purposes.
A resolution making the Sun engine house
the voting place for the I'd ward was adopt
ed, and the Board, after the transaction of
q good deal ofother business without debate,
at 1920 adjourned, the understanding being
that the President would call meeting for
next Tuesday night for the purpose of con-
sidering and passing the revenue, appropria-
ton and license bills.
COMMON COUNCIL.
There was fair attendance at the regular
meeting of the board last night
The first business which occasioned debate
was partial report of the Committee on