Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-13

CITY Council WAS helu laSl nlShI. 1Ae Aes'
SION was a short one, both Boards adjourn
iup about 9 o'clock.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
the only business that excited any partlcu-
lar debate was the petition of the Washing
ton Steamboat Company accompanied by
communication from the Mayor, asking that
RI. enforcement of the order recently passed!
by Council compelling that company to re-
move the frame shed at the foot OF King
street TO the building line Of said thorough
fare be deferred until the matter could be
more fully investigated by the authorities.
IN. petition of the steamboat company was
signed by ninety five business firms dolns
business on and near King street. Inc
Mayor in his communication stated that ne
was satisfied the matter had not been duiS
weighed by the City Council. He could see
no Inconvenience or damage TO the city
by the shed, and was disposed to rldicule
the notion that it iuteriered with the We"
of The river. He said business men had no
time 10 be inspecting the river like some
who could afford TO retire from active life
and take pleasure in inspecting the water
front from Fishlown to Battery Rodgers. The
Council should hot listen 10 the whims OF
everybody. The company, he stated, only
ing ia It's present position during The
pleasure of Council. He, therefore. hoped
The previous action of the representatives OF
the peuple would be reconsdered The re-
aucst of the nerchants-thOse most inter
ested-shoud be heeded, and he was be-
liver in the good old democratic doctrine
If the greatest good to the greatest number.
Mr.. Strauss requested the clerk to read
some of the names of the sgners OF the
steamboat companys petition, which was
done, when
Mr.. Smoot said the communication Of the
NIavor Implied that be had stopped COR
poration officer from carrying out an order
of Council, which was exceeding his pre-
royatiyes considerably. II was reprehensi-
bic in the executive officer OF this city to
assume to say Council had acted IN hurry
in this or any other matter. The members
of the two branches of this city government
were men of intelligence and were sup
posed to know what they were doing; hence
ne was astouished ut the language the Mayor
EMPLOYED in his message where that officer
speaks of pandering To the whims Of every
BODY, Years ago, when the speaker was n
member of the other board Il petition for
the erection of Il frame structure at the foot
of King street had been rejected by Council.
He then gave history Of the house at the
foot of that street-how il had been moved
sou,hward of the building liue and the pei.
ton from the company asking to he allow
ed TO continue it there until certain repairs
could be made to their wharf, and alleged
that the ferry company had promised TO
remove it, which had never been done; and
now the Mayor assumes authority to stop
the Superintendent OF Police from carrying
ont a plain mandate of the City Council.
L.. 4 n, Il t,ln
of Council " amounted to nothing, rs should
this body order It's removal, AT the emu OF
s;x months YOU would have the same pro-
crastination, same petitions and 81 re-enact
ment of the scene of setting at defiance the
orders of the regularly elected representa-
tives Of the people. 1t was apl aren't to him
tbst the company never had the slightest
intention of removing the freight shed when
first erected, and he was opposed TO sur
rendering any portion Of the streets to
them. 49,,
Mr. Reid said he fully agreed with all his
COLLEAGUE had said, though he disliked the
form in which the matter was now before
Council. The facts i'll the case though were
glaring. The city had granted the steam
boat company certain concessions winch the
latter were trying to take advantage or. In
other words, they were endeavorIng to hold
= position perpetually which had been but
temporarily granted. This was an unjust
procedure it was not equitable, ana was a
inonstrous proposition which should be met
and settled now and here and for ever. tie
was opposed to granting the prayer of the
petitioners.
Mr. Rjshiell said he had examined the
nremises occupied by the steamboat COM
pany and was satisfied they had abundance
of room to put this Objectionable structure
further north. He further said that had
the Council of Alexandria the nerve eXem-
nlified in other cities they would lmpeach
the Mayor for arrogatng to himself power
tn atom An official from executing direct
order of the two boards. The Superintend-
emit of Police WAS also liable to be handled
for thus allowing himself to be deferred from
obeying Council He read from the code
the nenalties to be inflicted on the latter OF
fcer in case he fails to carry out the hehests
of the City Council, and moved That the
whole matter be laid on the table;
Mr.. Moore said he was opposed to being
cut off in that way. He wanted sometime
to ssv on the subject before the Board. He
,pontsd to know what serious harm after III
could the shed do? and commended the
Navor for his action. 1t was evident that
Conncil didn't known the wishes or wants
of the people when they passed the order,
and should the question of retention or re,
moval of the shed be put to popular vote
it would quickly be decided to allow it to re,
main. The shed was a commences TO al
merchants and millers who transacted busl
ness in Washington, and the steamboat
company owned considerable property here
and spent large sums of money among oul
people. For instance, the steamer ARROW
smith is now bieng repaired, by when slo,'
600 will be spent in Alexandra. some con
sideration, therefore, should be shown cor
porations which helped to increase business
here. Nearly every business man had sign
ed the companys petition.
Mr. Risheill-Among them severa! VINO
approached me and asked that Council take
some action towards having the structure
removed.
Mr.. Reid could not understand how TINS
shed in any way contributed to the pros