Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-27
CITY COUNCIL.

the IudJOitS'
CITY COUNCIL.
The session of the City Council last night
was prolonged until about ten o'clock, at
which hour the spectators had retired from
both boards.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Mr.. Smoot, from he Finance Committee,
said in consequence of one of the members
Of that committee being pushed with out
side business, it had been impossible 10 pre-
mare the revenue bill in time for this meet
ipp. A called meeting of Council would
therefore be held on Friday night next.
Mr. Marbury, from the Committee on
Claims. TO whom had been referred petit
ZION Of W. a. Price for $45 for one month s
service rs driver OF the Hydrauiion steam
fire engine, recommended that the matter
ne referred to the Corporation Attorney for
ms opinion. Mr.. Price, it seems, was re-
moved from his position as driver in No
ve.nber. 1854, amt reinstated the following
month, ana the claim is for pay during the
period Of suspension.
The CorpU ation Attorney presented his
opinion OIL the subject of builders desiring
to erect houses beyond the building lines on
the pavemenls. The opinion, the full text
OF which will he found elsewhere in to-day's
GAZETTE, was requested by the Board In
the case Of Mr. w. D. Wood, who desires to
erect "a hay window in front of his house,
corner Columbus and Cameron streets. In
the opinion cf Mr. Kemper the city has no
power to grant such privileges, the streets
being public highways under control of the
legislature and held iu trust only by Il Q
city, which is to see that they are not block
ed up or encroached upon. The Attorney
further states that the city could not be held
liable for damages were it to grant such
privilege.
The opinion was accepted, and Mr..
Strauss moved that iDasmuch as no liability
could be incurred by the city, the action of
the Common Council be concurred in and
the petition of Mr. Wood granted.
Mr.. Downham Mr.. Moore in the chair
opposed Mr.. Strauss's motion. The Board,
he said, were acting like children in this
matter. Ii was plain statute in our char
ter tba, hen an old house which had been
over the building line was rebuilt or repair
ed il had TO be put back upon the line, and
consequently there should be no privileges
granted to persons to project new houses
bevond the regular limits. People ought
keep their houses within the prescribed
bounds. The opinion which had been read
showed Council was clothed with no power
10 allow +ici oachments upon the sidewalks
and this should settle the matter. He hop
ed Council would adhere to its former &C
ZION.
Mr.. Reid said should Council conclude 10
let the work proceed it would be nulity,
as from the opinion just read it had no Ju
risdcton in the matter.
Some further debate followed, though no
action was taken; hence the petition went
back TO the other Board non-concurred in.
In short time the paper was returned to
the Aldermen, the Common Council adher.
ng to its action granting the petition and
asking for committee Of conference, when
Messrs Moore and Reid we're appointed
members of said committee on the part OF
this Board
The action of the Common Council in
some other matters was then concurred in,
after which the Aldermen adjourned
COMMON COUNCIL.
In the absence of President Douglas, Dir.
Isaac Eichberg was called to the chair.
None of the matters which came up ex-
cited discussion until a petition from Mr..
Graves having been read, Mr.. Snowden
submitted a.proposal to pay Mr.. Graves $40
TO clear out the lower portion OF ran 5aro
drain.
Mr., Nails said the cost of this work wou d
b. more than ten dollars.
Mr.. Snowden explained that Mr.. Graves
had spoken to him and he bad examined
the drain and was satisfied that the work
should be done, and done soon, as warm
weather was coming on. He was satisfied
,ha, if the city undertook to do the work it
would cost fifty dollars, and if SO be handed
to Mr.. Graves, who had workmen already
there four tiflhs of fifty dollars would be
saved.
Mr.. Thompson thought that this was
apuhlc matter and should be done ty pub
lie. aud not by private, authority.
Mr.. Suowden only wanted to have the
work done at once and as cheaply as pos
soIe The chairman Of the street commit
Tee concurred in the proposal.
Mr. Nails did not think that the clean
ing required much work-it was only to
clear out the mouth of the drain. MT
Graves was not required 10 do any special
amount of work for the ten dollars. There
ought to be something for the chain gang
TO do beside to sleep and to eat.
Mr.. Lambert said the proposal to 90 Inc
work for $40 was very advantageous one
for the city. The chain gang was earning
its daily bread in various ways daily
breaking stone, SC.
Mr.. Suowden said: "It comes with bao
grace from the A. ward members to oppose
this, for they have just gotten through
resolution to repair street in their ward D.
considerable cost. They always opposed
anything f1r the 1st ward and it is supposed
they would continue to do SO until they
retire from council, which they will do in o
months time"
Mr.. Thompson said Mr.. Snowden had
shown how unfortunate it was for the 4tt
ward that such useful delegation should
have been retired.
Mr.. Snowden said, if necessary, he would
90 on Mr.. Graves'..bond, that the $40 wouie
oeproperly expended, and finally it wal
agreed that SO be appropriated for tn
Work to be done under the supervision
'oe Committee on Streets.
When al order giving $3.50 to the Mary
land Ferry Company was read, Mr.. r.
Leadheaer explained the reasons which IN
Quced Tho civilization 10 Hn,1urI He salt