Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-06-10

westher, variable winds generally shifting to
sontheastery The same conditions will prevail
tomorrow.
CITY COUNCIL.
The regular semi-monthly meeting-and
next to the last-of the present City Council
was held last night.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Mr.. Smoot, from the Finance Committee,
presented reports on various matters which
had been referred to them, which were
adopted without debate.
When the report on the petition of VIM.
Brookes for relief from alleged excessive
license tax was read,
Mr.. Smoot said the committee had con-
cuded to recommend to the board that Mr..
Brookes' license tax be reduced from 800
to $50 for the years 1884 and 1885. The
sneaker said upon examining into the mat
ter he had become convinced that the
grievance complained of by Mr.. Brookes
was a real one. The board had previously
supposed that, in order to conduct such a
business as Mr. B. was engaged in, it would
be necessary for him to take out CONNER
cial brokers' license. After listening, how
ever, to that gentleman's explanation the
committee had had good reasons presented
to them for receding from that opinion. 1t
Brookes entered into competition with our
own merchants, which was not the case,
but, on the contrary, he sold to them him
SELF Tho speaker mentioned several houses
in Alexandria which purchased from the
petitioner Mr.. B. had been conducting his
business without being compelled to take
out commercial brokers' license from the
State until last year. His license tax from
State and city was now $3.50, while his COM
missions on sales were much less than in
times past. For instance, the commission
on bacon was about one-half what it was
year or two ago, owing to decline IN price.
The report was adopted, but subsequently
returned by the Common Council non. con-
Cured in.
Mr.. Reid said ne had been approached
by Captain Mushbach, of the Alexandria
Light Infantry, during the day. in regard to
asking Council for small appropriation
to aid that command to visit Philadelphia
at the national encampment. While Mr..
r. was speaking Captain Mushbach appear
ed in the chamber, when Mr.. Reid moved
that the Captain be invited to state the
matter before the board himself.
Mr. Smoot said before Capt Mushbach
began his statement he desired to present
and have read the petition OF the A. L. |.
asking this appropriation and their reasons
therefore.
Mr.. Strauss, after the petition had been
read, moved that it be received, which was
adopted.
Mr.. Reids motion to Captain Mushbach
TO address the board was seconded and car
red, when Capt NJ. arose and thanked the
Aldermen for the courtesy extended He
said the company under his command had
never but once before asked help from the
city, and that was in 1881, when they desir-
ed to 60 Yorktown and had prayed Council
for an appropriation to help defray the ex-
pense. Their appeal had then been prompt
~ responded to and $3.50 was voted them.
For sufficient reasons, however, the compa-
ny did not 90 to Yorktown; hence the ap-
preparation was never used. The company
now asked Council to take the same action
ii took then. The Light Infantry was pub
lie or quasi public institution, but heretofore
had been self sustaining. 1t had been no
expense to the city save III the matter OF
gas, which the city furnished free on drill
nights, but when the armory was used for
other purposes the gas was paid for like
that used anywhere else. Previous to the
erection of Lannon's Hall the company de-
rived considerable revenue from their armo-
ry by renting it for performances, &c. Now,
however, the receipts of the latter hardly
paid the taxes and met the expenses of ne
cessary repairs. They had realized only
about 500 during the past year. Inc
speaker said he had been waited upon re-
Gently by Lieutenant Governor Underwood,
of kentucky, the general manager Of the
proposed encampment at Paramount Park,
Philadelphia, which will last from june %
to July 6. Tue object of this encampment
is to muster at Paramount Park companies
from all the States and Territories in the
Union and at the same time to facilitate the
passage by the next Congress of the Slocum
bill, which proposes appropriating S5OO,OOo
yearly for the support of the militia of the
country. Lt.-Gov. Underwood desired Viz.
ginia to be represented and Gov. Cameron bad
signifed desire that the Alexandria Light
Infantry attend and represent the State.
The company at present had q depleted
treasury 1t would cost about $3.50 apiece
to liquidate the expenses of the trip, which
would aggregate nearly $500. Mayor Beck.
ham was engaged in taking up u subscrlp.
ton to help defray the expenses OF the pro-
posed trip, and it was thought would raise
half the sum required. He hoped, there
fore, Council would appropriate the remain
ing $3.50. If, however, the members of the
command did not manifest sufficient interest
in attending drills, or should it be found
that sufficient number of members TO
make q credltaDle appearance couiu NOV ~
to Philadelphia, the company would stay at
home, and the appropriation would, of
course, be untouched. he would oppose
the trip if he should subsequently have any
reason to suppose the Light Infantry would
fail to make creditable appearance, or not
he in a condition to compete for the various
prizes which will be offered.
Mr.. Reid offered a resolution that the
requisite sum be appropriated, which was
adopted, and after concurring in the action
of the Common Council in various matters
the board at an early hour adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council obtained & quorum
soon after S o'clock.
An order of the Aldermen for q release OF
W. F. Brookes from a license tax as COM
mercial broker occasioned some discussion.
When the subject came up Mr.. Fisher OPP
posed the granting of the petition.