Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-04-09

brought most Of the City Fathers 10 their
respective chambers half al hour earlier
than necessary
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
seven members were present, and after tue
reading OF the minutes,
Mr.. Rshi.li, irom The Com mittee GU Pub
lie Property. offered a resolution empower
ing the committee TO rent or otter tor sale
the building known as the old Star engine
house, formerly occupied by the Columbia
company. Mr. Z. explained that the com
mittee had been offered rental of $50 per
annum, provided the building be made ten
autable, and it was understood that the
Young Mems Christian Association were
willing to purchase the same il it could be
obtained for $500.
Mr.. Smoot moved a provisD, rcqur-
inv the committee TO report the action they
may take to Council for ratification which
amendment Mr.. Rishiel accepted.
Mr.. Moore did not think Council could
give good litIeto the house. All the clty's
property was pledged as collateral for the
payment OF the corporation debt. The city
owed niue hundred thousand or million
dollars, and the engine house, as we'll as all
the cty's property was pledged for the pay
ment Of the same.
r..
ed by Mr.. NJ, and thought the matter OF title
could be adjusted.
The resolution with the amendment, after
some further debate, was passed.
The Committee on Claims reported that
they were unable TO agree on the petition OF
w g. Simpson, late engineer of the Hydrau!-
ion steam fire engine who prays the city u
pay him for the whole month of January.
1884, he having been deposed on the lUth Of
that month, and been paid for ten days ser
vices only.
Mr. Marbury explained the nature of the
alleged claim, and said the petitioner had
threatened Il suit III case his Claim WAS re-
jected.
Mr. Moore believed in the end the city
would have to pay the bill, aud nearly ali
the members expressed the same view oil
the matter, not that they believed the claim
Just. but upon strict principle Of economy
as should the case come before jury IL
would inevitably be decided against the city
The bill was then on motion of Mr.. Moore,
ordered to be paid.
The action of this board, however, was
non .concurred in by the Common Council
and the petition referred back TO the Com
miltee on Claims, which the Aldermen after
some debate agreed to.
The Board then proceeded to the cham
Der Of the Common Cauncii for the purpose
of electing School Trustee for the Third
ward, and on their return concnrredin sun
dry matters which came in from the lower
board, and about half past nine o'clock add
journed.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The first April meeting Of the Common
Council last night was fairly attended.
The subject OF the appropriation OF sl5O
in aid of the Maryland Ferry Company came
up after being laid over at the last meeti ag.
Mr.. Mclean doubted the proprety Of
making the appropriation unless it was dis
tinctly understood that the ferry could hold
the wharf on the Maryland side. lie had
been informed that the landing at Fort
Foote would be much more convenient, and
on many tides Fort Foote would be reached
quicker and more easily than the present
ferry wharf.
Mr.. Moore did not think that new land
ing would suit. 1t would be a venturesome
enterprise, but even at Fort Foote, consider
able money would have to be expended in
building slip, SC.
Mr.. Peake urged that the market house
trade alone would justify the appropriation
Some inducement to bring market men here
must be offered. He thought it would pay
TO make the appropriation.
I.
lipepce from Maryland that the present
landing is too high up. The company now
paw $50 rent, besides repairing the roadS.
Below better landing could be gotten with
no charge for rent.
On the motion of Mr.. Snowden, +. ,.
Leadbeater, President of the Ferry Com
pany, was invited to make statement.
Mr.. Leadbealer said that the supply OF
the market and the Maryland trade required
this boat. He explained the origin of the
company which owned the boat The boat
did not pay enough to justify running the
ferry this wear if Council did not make an
appropriation. There was adherence OF
Opinion as TO the best landing, the upper or
lower ferry, but it would cost $500 to repair
the lower ferry pier and slip, and the new
road and wharf would together cost $500, q
sum which could not now he raised. He
was satisfied there would be no trouble
out.ownership at either the upper or the
lower landing.
In answer TO a question by Mr.. Lambert,
Mr. Leadbeater said that he thought that
about $3.50 would be required next year and
other wears. The city received at least
$3.50 per apnum from her market fees alone
from Marvlanders who come over on the
boat.
MIR. Fisher supported the appropriation
urging that it would be good investment
to make this appropriation.
Mr.. Snowden thought $3.50 low price to
paw for the trade of an entire county, when
Baltimore was about to spend 81 600, ooo To
increase its facilities for the Virginia trade
The resolution having been lost for the
want of nine votes was laid over until next
meeting
The resolution for paying W. G. Simpson
the residue of his salary for The month IN
which he was dropped as engineer OF the
Hydraulion Steam Fire Engine coming up
Mr.. Suowden asked if the engineer be
paid for the residue OF the month, would
not the dismissed driver have to he paid
also.
Mr.. Sweeney urged thai a. no reason hao
bean oi ven for the discharge of The engineer