Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-11-26
COMMON COUNCIL.

L
COMMON COUNCIL.
A quorum was present in this board at
the hour of opening, and James ). Douglas,
, SO President presided. Only one matter
called out discussion.
Mr.. Lambert, after stating that the Poto-
mac Manufacturing Company and its as.
signs had failed absolutely to comply with
the conditions on which it obtained release
of ground rent, &c, introduced resolution
that the Attorney be requested to draw up
Il bill repeating its franchise given by the
city.
Mr. Eichberg thought the matter so i'm
por;ant that it should be referred to spe
caI committee. He would sooner see the
boards proceed with caution. He did not
oppose action, but thought something
should be done Even if now was bad
time, yet since they bad Ind the grant there
had been ample time to go on with their
work.
MIR. Lambert had not offered the resolu-
ton without deliheration. He had seen
enough 10 know that action is needed. He
had told Captain Goss that the company
had broken its agreement. The only work
done had been the building Of few vessels;
but no iron work. Was the schooner Boyce
built by the Potomac Iron Company? 1t
was begun by that company, but the vessel
was flushed on the private account of Capt.
Goss. The resolutions looked only to save
the rights of the city, and no present action
was proposed. The proposal now is to re-
quest the Corporation Attorney to consider
the legal aspect of the subject and draw up
a bill When that bill is prepared it will
be time enough to discuss it. In the mean
while a committee could be appointed to
consult with Captain Goss and the other
members of the Virginia Ship Building
Company, who would be ready for con.
ference after the 9th instant.
Mr.. Eichberg thought that if these gentle
men had not come up TO their agreement,
the property could re.entered upon the
city's books and all the taxes due from the
time it was released could be claimed
Mr.. Lambert desired that the steps to be
taken in the matter should he proper ones,
whose legality should he first considered
aud tested by the law officer Of the city.
Mr.. Eichberg agreed with him.
Mr.. H., continuing, gave statement of
the demolition Of the interior of the Pioneer
Mills The engine had been taken away to
another building, the burr wheels sold 10
Hunt & Robert and other millers. Even the
copper TlFelS III the OullulnSS Qdu Deen sofa
to junk dealers, fences had been removed,
and all tie nGvables moved oil. ''Where
ar. your millions that were to be brought
/ 9 Q y the miionaires Mr.. Emers On had
even given orders to Mr.. Hadley to tear
down the fine lofty chimney Of the Pioneer
Mills and use the bricks in building walls
around tn, other property Of the company.
In this way much Of the property on which
the city might levy for its rent, had been
or reduced in value. The time
had now come for decided measures.
Dir. Snowden seconded the motion and
said it was time to act. He had seen let.
ter to Mr.. Hadley Which indicated that
it would be long day before any work was
done there. 1t looked like crowd Of
men who had gotten debts on hand, were
trying to leave somebody to hold the bag.
There was evidently law suit ahead and
it was time that preparations should be
made for it.
The motion of Mr. Lambert was unani
mously agreed to. Afterwards
Messrs. Lambert and Eichberg were ap
pointed a committee to confer with Presi
dent Goss on the subject.
There being no quorum in the Board OF
Aldermen the Council adjourned early.