Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-28
CITY COUNCIL.

hour of meeting last night.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
seven members appeared, though but one
SPECTATOR, and he for short time only, wit
messed the proceedings from without the
bar.
After the reading of the minutes of the
last meeting,
MIR. Reid, from the Committee on Light,
reported favoraby on the petition of sun
dry citizens residing on north st. Asaph
street for the erection of a gas lamp at the
intersection of that street with Pendleton.
The petitioners state that there is no lamp
on St, Asaph street north of the JAIL and
none on Pendleton street east OF Washing
ton. 1t was stated that the cost would not
exceed s25, and upon motion the report of
the committee was adopted.
MIR. Smoot, from the Finance Committee,
presented a preamble and resolution au-
thorizing the Mayor, Auditor and City
Treasurer TO borrow S. 900 10 meet the cur
rent expenses of the city. MIR. 5. said there
were good bills in the hands Of the Collect
ors of Taxes which amounted TO more than
the sum the committee desired to borrow,
and bills Which in a short while could be
collected without difficulty. The commit
tee, after consultation with the collectors,
| had concluded, in consideration of the pres.
eut depressed condition of business, to re-
sort to this mode Of meeting the obligations
| of the CITY instead Of ordering the collectors
| to use harsh measures towards the deln-
ouents. The speaker had hoped that the
committee would have been able TO bridge
over the financial requirements oil the city
this year without the use Of the measure
proposed, but their hopes had not been re-
Enthusiastically did be lament their fail
ure from the fact that he had fully made up
bis mind to retire from public life at the
end of his present term in Council
Mr. Moore moved that the resolution he
adopted, watch was carried lauimous'y.
Robustness appearing, the board at this
uncture took a recesg, subject to the call
of the chair, aud upon Resembling ad-
journed.
COMMON COUNCIL.
President Douglas being absent at the
opening Of the regular meeting, last night,
Isaac E;chberg, esq, was called to the chair
One subject only occasioned debate.
When Mr. Lambert, from the Committee
on Streets, reported bill authorizing the
Washington, Ohio & Western Railroad to
cross Cameron street and Lee and lay tracks
to Fayette alley,
Mr.. Eichberg said he would like to know
whether this dill met the approval Of the
citizens whose property was in the neigh
borhood. He did not wish TO see any one
| injured by an act of Council.
Mr.. Lambert said that Messr5 George Il.
Hill and J. II. D. Smoot had opposed the
bill before the committee, contending that
it would be seriously prejudicial to their
business.
MI. Peake asked if Council could grant
the privilege if the property holders
did not consent.
Mr. Lambert said not Mr. Brophy had
told the committee that the company would
pay all damages, and the bill provided
for that.
Mr.. Peake asked if the property holders
would not come on the city first and compel
the city to resort to the railroad company
for indemnities.
Mr. Lambert said he did not know.
Mr. Snowden was in favor Of granting
| the right upon proper consideration being
paid. Other cities had gotten large SUNS
| for the use of their streets. The city is TOO
poor to give away anything. New York
had received IS 900 900 no less than a month
| ago for the use of streets for railroads. II
this company would pay for the right Of
way, he was in favor Of granting the right.
| The city has never paid sufficient attention
| to its own interests in these matters. 1t
| now paid rentals to the Telephone Com
pany, when il could easily have gotten the
same as payment for right of way which
had been given for nothing. When the
| Water Company asked to use the streets, il
| would willingly have given free water in
the market as the price. When grants
are to be made we should always reserve
some rights.
Mr.. Lambert thought that if the city sold
this right of way it might become liable.
Mr.. Echberg urged that the non.liahilit.,
of the city as we'll as the payment for the
right of way could be put in the bill.
Mr.. Snowden said that when a railway
crossed farm it paid for it's right of way.
There was no reason why, ifs railroad used
street, it should not pay for the right OF
way here also. The city was too poor to
grant such valuable franchises for which
other cities were handsomely paid.
Mr. Eichberg noted that in one case the
land was condemned, and in the other not.
Mr.. Snowden thought that was dstiuc-
ton without difference.
Mr.. Snowden moved an amendment that
the right of way be allowed on the payment
of sum to be agreed upon. The amend
ment was agreed to.
Mr.. Peake doubted the propriety of pass.
ing a bill giving this right of way when the
property holders objected
MIR. Sweeney did not think the bill ex.
plicit enough, and he saw no benefit to
Alexandria in it. We have been Civ
ing up rights for years. He thought it
likely that this bill was an injury to some
of the best citizens for the benefit Of spec.
ulation-for that was all the Washington,
Ohio and Western railroad was now. There
was no guarantee that the street would not
be used for loading freight.
Mr.. Lambert responded that Mr.. Brophy
had told him that the intention was to
make a passenger depot there.
On MIR. Peake's motion all the parties in
terested were allowed to be heard.
Superintendent Brophy explained that
the intention of the company was to put
the depot at the northwest corner of King
and Lee streets, to cover Fayette alley with
a shed, but to leave it open and not crossed
by any track the track to stop at that al