Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-15

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.-A called meeting
Of the Board of Aldermen was held las
night for the purpose of taking action upon
IN. petition of Mr.. w. D. Wood for per.
mission to extend his building line on the
corner of Cameron and Columbus streets.
At about Sis o'clock a quorum had ap
reared in the Board, when the papers con
neced with the case were read.
MrStraus ssaid if every body else would be
satisfied if the privilege were granted no
would iuterpose no objection. He, however
dreaded the aiter-clap. The Common Coun-
Ill bad granted the prayer of the petitioner,
and 50 far as he individually was concerned
he mad no objection to the Aldermen con-
curling. But there was some talk of the
city being mulcted in law suit by such
action. The speaker had heard Mr.. Moore
make such statement. He thought it
would be safer to refer the matter to the
Corporation Attorney for his opinion as to
right OF Council to grant such petition
and bavea called meeting of both Dos rds
some night next week. He regretted the
necessity of keeping Mr.. Wood from pro-
cvediug with his building, but this was de-
cl1eiiy The safest course 10 pursue.
Mr.. Reid bought this matter might prove
!. serious one 10 The petitioner should Coun
cil take any hasty or thoughtless action in
the premises. The Court of Appeals re-
Gently in case which came from Norfolk
decided that the streets of q city were under
the control of the State, and therefore ruled
that cities were powerless to grant privileges
10 persons to extend houses beyond the
regular building lines. Should similar
case originate here after Mr.. Wood had
erected his house and he be ordered by the
court TO put the same back from the side
walk, considerable trouble and expense
would be incurred by him. The speaker
thought Mr.. Strauss plan the best-refer
the petition TO the Corporation Attorney for
his opinion-which action would eventually
inure to MIR. Woods benefit in preventing
him from mourning any liability.
Mr.. Smoot did not want TO embarrass
ANY one, but he endorsed what the two
previous speakers had said about the mat
ter, and believed such action would be in
Mr. Woods interest. He, however, didn't
believe the city would incur any liability
by granting the petition, as the grant could
only be given for what it was worth. He
also recited the case from Norfolk recently
decided by the Court of Appeals, and said
that should any citizens here sue Mr.. Wood
FOR building too far upon the pavement and
judgment be obtained against him it would
pe d sell huottCi. A4CJ euolCiOiCs lAouSuo
the petitioner, for his own safety, had better
wait Mr.. Smoot said suit was going On
in Baltimore now about the erection Off bay
window. Mr. Garrett desired TO put such an
addition to his residence in Mount Vernon
Place, but Mr.. James had objected and the
costs to each litigant would not be less than
$4,000 Council could give Mr.. Wood per-
Mission to 90 on with his building, but it
would only be for what such permission was
worth.
Mr. Strauss finally offered a resolution re-
curing the petition to be referred to the
Corporation Attorney for his opinion, which
was adopted, after which the board ad.
jourued.