Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-05

,he President, Mr.. Downham, being absent
Mr.. Strauss was, on motioh VI MI 1"ooio'
called to the chair.
Iohn w. Burke, esq, recently elected a
,oenber from the First ward in place OF Ma
or Herbert, resigned, was sworn IN by the
President pro tempore.
Several reports from the committee Oh
streets were received through the chairman,
Mr.. Bryant, and adopted.
Mr.. Burke was appointed member OF
the Committee on Claims and Ponce: ;.
4 resolution that when Council adjourn IL
ba until the fourth Tuesday in October was
adopted unanimously.
4 number of bills mostly for election SER
,.;casl rpported on tavorably by the Com
,nittee on Claims, through Dir. Marbury, the
chairman. were ordered to be paid.
recess was taken, and upon the ooard
h.;nc called TO order number oil papers
which had been acted on by the Common
Council were received from that board anu
concurred in. r,
Irnon the presentation of report from
the Finance Committee reducing the TAX
hin If Mr.. George Richards, adopted by the
Common Council,
Mr.. Reid said heretofore there was so1Ie
reason assigned for these reductions. ie
did not want TO be understood as cfislcisins
the action Of the Finance Committee' lhey
no doubt lad sufficient reasons, nut IL seem
cd to he Offering II premium for deiauit ID
I,nrmo,t Of taxes by making these redrc-
tons at the simple request OF properly
owners.
Mr.. Marbury said the property In cues
tim had been sold at the tax sale OF 1917,
and the action of the committee had been
decided upon after due delberaton anu
consideration of all the facts in the case.
Tba petitioner had been charged with the
cost of advertising and expenses OF sale.
The action of the Common Council was
concurred in. :,
4 resolution from the Common Council
referred to the Fire Wardensl appropr.
,ting sufficient sum to enable the Colum.
ba Steam Fire Engine Company to erect
suitable facilities for drying their hose, was
read.
MIR. LeaGheater explained why the matter
had been referred to the Fire Wardens, the
Finance Committee believing that body The
most proper one to consider the Pelition'
The action of the lower board was con.
CURED in as was also that of the Council in
regard To petitions from the Hydraullon
steam Fire Engine and Relief Hook and
Ladder Companies asking for approprla-
tons. :,
A resolution from the Common Council
amending the revenue law regarding gilt
concerts, reducing the tax to 80 instead OF
$50 on gift concerts, was received.
Mr. Reid asked if it would be lawful for
Council to amend an act by simple reso.
luton. Wouldn't the board be compelled
to re enact a law to meet the difficulty?
The President pro tempore thought the
law could be amended by resolution con-
cured in by both boards of Council.
Mr.. Leadbcater said Mr.. Snowden, chair
man of the Finance Committee, had con.
suited an attorney on the subject, and the
latter had given it as his opinion that Coun-
ciI had such power.
The action of the lower board was con-
cnrred in, and the Aldermen, few minutes
after nine o'clock, adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council closed its summer
meeting last night A quorum appeared
and shortly after o'clock President Eich-
berg called the meeting to order. When the
tax bills of Lewis Hopkins and others were
,erorted fl ON the Finance Committee with
aieduc ion, a reason for the reduction was
asked
Mr.. Snowden explained that the Finance
Committee had adopted the rule of settling
the old taxes previous to 1879 at the rates
c.ty coupons sold for at the time the taxes
accrued.
Wheo the Finance Committee reported in
favor Of referring to the Fire Wardens
motion of Mr.. Pea!se to appropriate S25 for
the putting up ola hose elevator in the tower
of the Columbia engine house, Mr. Snowden
explained that the Wardens were the pro-
per parties to act on such matters.
Mr. Eichberg, calling Mr.. Peake to the
chail) said this was in his opinion one Of
The most singular proceedings he bad ever
known and one that had no precedent
Mr. Snowden said if this matter was re-
erred to the Fire Wsrdens they would have
the work done.
Mr.. Eichberg did not think the Fire War
,l,,ls had any power to buy anything or
make any repairs without the order of
Council He thought that all these matters
should be ordered by the City Council.
Mr.. Snowden responded the Wardens had
the right to repair and keep in repair the
apparatus, and that this tackle for the lift.
ing of hose was part of the apparatus OF the
company This appropriation had never
been asked for by the company. II it had
it would have been done by the Wardens.
Mr.. Peake said he had introduced the
matter into Council on his own motion.
Mr.. Sweeney read the law to show that
the Fire Wardens had the power to make
repairs SC.
Mr.. Peake feared that if the matter went
to the Wardens they would send it back to
Council.
Mr.. Snowden knew that would not be the
case; the work which would cost only $l5
or so would be done.
Mr.. Brent urged that as the Fire Wardens
were the board in control Of the fire matters
of the city, this matter should be referred to
them.
The recommendation of the Finance Com
mttee was adopted.
When the applications for 81, 800 by the
Relief and $500 by the Hydraulion were re-
ported upon adversely,
Mr.. Snowden sail that the committee
Lad, with great regret, been compelled to
defer the appropriations in favor of these
companies. The $500 asked for by
these companies could not be raised by the