Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-05-25

IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
it was some minutes passed the hour fixed
for meeting-eieht o'c,ock-before a consti-
.utional quorum appeared. The night being
dark and rainy, but little. if any, interest
was manifested in The proceedings, and no
spectators appeared without the bar.
a resolution authorizing the appointment
of g suitable person to buy il for the city the
Alexandria Canal property to be sold on the
7th proximo, if deemed necessary for the
protection of the corporation's interest, was
received from the Common Council.
Mr. McKerzIe thought the present an ex-
ceedinely unsuitable time to sell the proper
tv. and supposed that should the U. s. Court
be overturned in regard to the matter the
sale could be prevented or postponed. An
appeai. he understood, was To be taken, in
which event the property would be still
further deprecated in value. Something
should be done, however, ia the premises,
as should the case be taken to the U. S. Su
prene Court it would hang there for an in
definite period, and in the meantime the
canal would be knocked down at some
nominal figure to parties who were Oh the
watch. The resolution, he believed, Should
lie over for the present, and should occasion
REQUIRE it a called meeting OF Council could
be held.
MIR. Agnew thought the canal property
would sell for more than the city's claim.
Mr.. Mckenzie was not SO sure OF that.
Ee had heard that the property would not
bring over 100000.
Mr.. Aenew asserted that much more than
That SUN could bo realized from 1t at sale.
The land at the south end of Tho aqueduct,
for instance, was valuable.
Mr.. BRYANT didn't think the iesolution
covered the ground, and thought in otdl'
nance should be passed empowering The
Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund or their
succos ors 10 attend 10 The matter.
Mr.. Aenew again spike ~ hopeful terms
of the future ol tho canal, and said the city
did moi II 81 % tne !act that there was some
danger CT letting Il valuab property slip
from It's grasp, property which in four or
five years would be worth $4,000 or
$500 600.
After aJme conversational debate, on mo-
lou OF Mr.. LeGdbeatcr the resolution was
laid Ga the table.
An act imposing taxes On persons, prop.
ery, income, &c, was received from the
Common Council and passed without debate,
A resolution from the Common Council
empowering the Corporation Attorney to
draw up an ordinance authorizing the city
TO issue bonds for the sum OF one hundred
thousand collars, to be used in improving
the streets and Gas Works was by unani-
nous consen! laid on the table.
When the license law, which had beenre
ceiyed f,om the Common Council was being
read
Mr. Mckenzie asked why the tax on tele-
phone companies had been Increased from
SO TO $l00
Mr.. Leadbea.er intimated that the parties
doing business here had sort of monopoly,
having succeeded in running ell alocal COM
pauy, and the Finance Committee had
deemed 500 sum in no manner excessive
ia consideration Of that privileges the cor
poration enjoyed hereabouis.
Mr.. Aguew could see no reason Tor the In
crease 1t savored to him OF persecution.
Mr.. Burke favored placing the tax at 500.
The telephone company had utilized the
streets OF the city for lis purposes and en-
ioyed many privileges which are worth
something to them.
Hlr. Mckenzie moved that the amount be
cut back TO $75, bot the motion was lost,
and the Clerk continued the reading, at the
conclusion of which the action OF the lower
board was concurred III.
The appropriation bill was next received
from the Common Council and their action
concurred in, after which
Mr.. Leadbeater moved that the resolution
in regard to the purchase by the city of the
Alexandria Canal property be taken from
the table and referred to the Finance Com.
mttee, and that that committee be given g.
short time in which 10 consider and report
upon the matter forthwith, rs il was an ur
gent case.
This motion gave rise 10 mora discussion
but it finally prevailed, and Mr.. Agnew was
appointed as al auxiliary TO the committee
in the consideration of the mstter.
Before the committee had reported Mr.. Nc.
Kenze offered resolution directing the
Mayor to urge Judge Hughes, of the U. s.
Court, 10 have the sale postponed in the
event of an appeal being taken.
Mr.. Leadbeater, Of he Finance Commit
tee, subsequently appeared in the chamber,
and reported that the committee had ascer-
tanned that the attorneys for the city were
or the lookout for Alezandria's Interest, and
at their suggestion the resolution had been
introduced tonight, in oTtie. 10 meet the re-
uuiremenis of The casa in the event Of the
sale rot being postponed The claim of the
CITY amounted to 100000 The Canal would
be knocked down for $4,000 should the
city not be represented at tbs sale, while
her representative could bid as high as the
Claim she holds. The committee had agreed
to recommend that the action OF the Com
mon Council be concurred in.
The resolution was then adopted, ns was
also Mr. McKenzis's
Some debate was occasioned when reso.
luton appropriatug $500 for the use of the
Maryland Ferry Company was returned by
the Common Council, 6 resolution for
committee Of conference being defeated in
the meantime, but subsequently adopted,
with the understanding that the committee
meet at some future time.
The Aldermen then adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
President ]. 7. sw eeney occupied the
chair at the adjourned meeting of tho Com
mon Council last night and Mr.. j. L. john
son was acting clerk.
Mr.. Fisher introduced a resolution au-
A. Al