Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-02-14
CITY COUNCIL,
\ regular meeting of the City Council was
held last night.

Inc usual array OF empty benches was
presented, without only an occasional spec
tator appearing, who would soon tire and
steal out Oh tip toe
Mr.. Risheill, from the Committee on Pub.
nc property, to whom the communication
OF the Mayor in regard to property purchas-
ed by the city at the last tax sale had been
referred, offered resolution that the matter
be referred to the Corporation Attorney in
order that he might determine the legality
OF the sale. Mr.. r. explained that the com
mittee was unable to determine how to nro.
coed IN the matter until the validity of the
sale could be settled. If anv member of
the Board could suggest any more nractical
method, he would be glad to hear it.
MIR. Moore moved that the resolution he
adopted.
Mr. Reid thought the passage of the reso
luton would involve much expense. The
matter would never be settled short of the
Court of Appeals.
Mr.. Marbury supposed the resolution
merely directed an inquiry into the legality
of the tax sale.
Mr.. Rlsheill said that was the purport of
the resolution. 1t was not right to allow
parties TO hold their property, get all the
dement's from the same and pay the city
nothing. 1t would be better for the CORPORA
ton to relnqush all title to it and compel
those parties to pay the taxes If the sale,
however, was decided legal, let the city take
Immediate possession and rent the same,
Messrs. Moore and Strauss also spoke in
favor OF immediate action, and in substance
as Mr.. K.
The resolution was adopted.
Dill lnstructing the Ovcrseer of the
l'oor TO take possession Of the fish wharf
and collect wharfage during fishing and
watermelon seasons, and turn the same over
TO the city, he TO receive $50 additional for
sllch services, was, after some debate. passed
unanimously
Mr.. Moore said he desired to present the
bill OF Mr.. w. G. Clifford (Si5) tol packing
tire plugs, in order that it might be re-
terred and the matter examined into.
Mr. Rshclll was opposed TO entertaining
the bill
MIR. Strauss thought Mr.. Clifford should
be heard, though he did not think the
petition had bona Rde claim. He had done
| the work, however, and should ebcompen-
stated. lie gave history of the claim aud
moved that Clifford be paid $40.
Mr.. Z. {. Smoot seconded the motion.
Alr: klshell again spoke in opposition to
the bill. All the plugs in Alexandria could
be packed in day the straw cost but Il
trliie, and he the speaker would do the
work Tor -. If Mr.. Clifford liked the fun
OF dong such work unauthorized, he should
keep his bills out of Council. He would
vote till doom's day against it.
Mr.. Strauss withdrew his motion, and
the bill was referred to the Committee on
Streets
The resignation of j. T. Smoot, esq.,, as a
member Of the Borad from the Fourth ward,
was read.
Mr. Reid said he hoped action on Mr.. SIS.
resignation would be deferred for the pres
emf. 1t was no time to speak of the abilities
OF the gentleman as Councilman. An UNI
fortunate complication had recently been
brought about, which il was hoped would
soon be adjusted, and that probably the gen
tleman might reconsider the matter.
The resignation was laid over, after which
petition that the pump at the southwest
corner Of Columbus and Prince streets be re-
moved was granted, but afterwards amend
ed by adding the words sat no cost to the
city"
The Common Council returned the peti
ton endorsed 'that said pump shall not be
removed until Il well is dug somewhere in
the court bounded by Prince, Duke, Column
bus and Alfred streets, and the pump in
| question placed therein"
The action Of the Common Council was
cOncurred in.
After the transaction of some routine bust
ness and the concurrence in some matters
sent in from tho Common Council. the
Board. at about half-past nine, adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council held a regular
meeting last night. 4 communication from
the Mayor in relation to Il loan &c, was read
and referred
When the report of the committee in ia
vor OF reducing the assessment on w. & A.
r. R.. track to $4,000 on Fayette street and
$4,000 on st. Asaph street came up,
Mr.. Thompson said that formerly the as
sessment on Railroads was only $1,000 per-
mile and her present assessment of Sl5. 900
by the State was not on the road only but
upon franchise, &c.
Mr.. Lambert thought that the st. Asaph
street track should be taxed as high as the
Fayette street track.
Mr.. Eichberg and Mr.. Nails held that this
would be improper The st. Asaph track
was now merely siding
Mr.. Sweeney was not willing TO reduce
this tax from $4,000 to $4,000. He moved
that the tax be fixed at So 900 per mile.
IIcaiucnt bouSitS Salu mat the state tax
of $4,000 was on the road bed hut here the
Railroad Company did not own the road
bed and $4,000 per mile was an ample value
ties and rails
Mr.. Rice thought all taxes should be
equal. He was in favor ofgiving the Rail.
road Company chance to put depot on
King and ST. Asaph street.
Mr.. Lambert did not see why the COM
mittee placed the assessment lower than
Manager wilkins had asked them TO do
Mr.. wilkins asked that the tax be made
$4,000 per mile, and yet the committee had
made the St. Asaph street track assessment
at So 900 per mile
Mr.. Peake opposed making the tax on
the st. Asaph street track more than $1,000
per mile.
Mr.. Thompson said there had been some
talk as if the A. x w. K. r., was asking
favor of the city. He did not think so. He
thought that the business men of the CITY
were asking the Railroad Company the ia
vor of bringing the track to King and ST
Asaph street. He thought this matter
should be settled in fair and liberal man
ner.
flor fi,rthar l.L,tn a. .