Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-06-25

after the usual summer recess was held last
night.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
all the members appeared, and the still
southwesterly breeze which was waited
through the chamber rendered the transac-
ton OF business far less oppressive than at
several preceding meetings.
MIR. Smoot, from the Finance Committee,
submitted the report of that committee on
the communication from the Commissioners
of the Sinking Fund as TO who should pay
the cost of the erection of the closets in the
Market House. The commissioners recon-
mended that the requisite sum be taken
out of the general fund of the corporation,
the work to be done under the supervision
of the Committee on Public Property. The
Finance Committee dissented from this
proposal and recommended that the COM
ruissiouers pay for the same out of the re-
cepts from the Market Building.
Mr. Moore moved the adoption of the re-
port.
Mr.. Strauss said the commissioners could
have paid for the work without consulting
Council.
Mr. Downham (Mr Moore in the chair
spoke in opposition TO the commissioners
paying for the work. The fund they hand
led had been set aside by Il special act for a
specific purpose; hence it was entirely ou!
of the province of Council to undertake To
dictate to the commissioner how they should
disburse the proceeds Of rents, &c, from
the Market Building. They had, in fact,
no power to expend money in any other
way than that set forth in the act.
Mr.. Strauss again favored the commits
sioners paying the BILL Why this unjust
discrimination against taxpayers? All the
1rot
were spent on that building therefore what
treasury to pay for this improvement? He
would even oppose spending money on the
building out of the general fund.
Mr. Downham argued Mr.. Strauss as
senting to the formers queries) that should
the report Of the committee be adopted il
would amount to nothing more than u rec
ommendation--in no way binding upon the
commissioners to carry out the request.
A long debate followed, participated in
by nearly oil the members, when Mr.. Rish-
ell offered q resolution which, he said,
would preclude any clashes hereafter rs to
who should pay for improvements in the
Market Building. 1t provided that in flu
ture the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund
be required to foot all such bills. This was
ruled out of order, the question of the adop
ton or rejection of the report still pending.
MIR. Risheill then spoke in favor of the
adoption Of the report.
MIR. Smoot explained why the committee
had made the recommendation, and said
knowing the predictions of the President
of the Board, they had sought to 50 word il
AS to avoid any debate. After all, from the
manner in which the report was written it
could be seen that the main desire was to
get an expression of views on the vexed
question.
The report was ut length adopted with
but one dissenting voice-the President.
The annual report of the Auditor on the
condition of the public debt, of the City
Treasurer, Committee on Light, Commits
soners of the Sinking Fund and Fire War
dens, were presented and adopted.
Mr.. Smoot, in presenting the first named
report, said the exhibit was a cheering one.
There was not-a single: Outstanding warrant
against the city at the end Of the fiscal
wear. while a balance of 1900 was in the
treasury.
The Committee on Poor, 10 whom the
matter had b>en referred, reported in favor
of purchasing the nine-ace lot belonging to
II. b. Pinn, adjoining the Aims House lands
and after explanations from Mr.. Moore and
others the report was adopted. ;,
On motion of Mr.. Smoot it was resolved
that when Council adjourn it he till the
fourth Tuesday in October next
Mr.. Risheill then called up his resolution
making it obligatory upon the Commission
ers of the Sinking Fund in future to pay
for repairs and improvements on the Mar
ket Building;
The President declared the same out oil
order, giving as his reason that the resoiu-
ton confiicted with plain statute of the
Mr.. Strauss appealed from the decision
If the chair. as did also the mover OF the
resolution (Mr. Risheill).
After some further debate pro and con,
the ayes and nays were called on, SUSTAIN
ing the decision of the chair, which result
ed. ayes 4-Messrs. Herbert, Marbury,
Smoot and Reid nays 3-Messrs. Moore
Strauss and Risheill.
The Board then concurred in some mat
ters which came in from the Common Coun'
ell, and about 1915 adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
A quorum of the Council attended last
NIGHT q short time after the hour appointed
for meeting.
The Committee on Streets having report
ed that the only way to repair Lee street
between Wolfe and Franklin, properly, was
to have the work done under the law ioi
shelled streets,
Mr.. Lambert explained the law in rcia
ton to sheled streets. This would require
cutters te be placed on the sides OF Iht
streets at the expense OF the properly
holders. Otherwise the work dohe III Iil'
middle of the streets would soon be sweep
into cutters. .1- ),
Mr.. Eichberg urged that the work :, d o.
done He had at the last meeting aske.
Mr.. Snowden TO consent to have the ma'te
laid over, and now we are no oet'ef o'
than before. ;. -,
Mr.. Snowden-I knew that when 1t was
postponed ,-u u,
Mr.. Eiehberg-I did not want TO klll Wv az
bill wanted the Improvement 10 DC ln.'n.
and expected that the CommitIee OH h''''e'-
would report some plan. til.
Mr.. Snowden said that as the author o
the resolution that the work be done, II.
saw that nothing would be accompilshe'