Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-05-15
CITY COUNCIL.
The regular monthly meeting of the City
council was held last night.
THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Seven Aldermen were present in the
chamber shortly after o'clock.
Mr.. Bryant, from the Committee on
Streets. submitted report on the petition
of the Richmond and DAnville Railroad
Company for permission to extend their
double track on Union street from Wilkes
Tn Oropoco. TIE committee recommend
that the prayer OF the petitioners be granted,
with the understanding that the company
nave both sides of Union street and put in
repair the east end of the Wilkes street
tnnnel. and that in the event OF the railroad
comnany agreeing to the terms Of the report,
the Corporation Attorney be instructed to
draw up q suitable ordinance for the action
OF Council.
Mr.. Mckenzie didn't exactly understand
the provisoes Of the report.
Mr.. Apnew said it was the intention of
the committee TO compel the railroad COM
many to putthe east end Of the tunnel in the
same condition as the west end. The east
ern opening had been disgrace for years,
and was chronic cause of complaint
among his constituents. The report was
not explicit enough; the provisoea should be
plainly Incorporated in the report. Al pre-
sent the east end of the tunnel was not only
unsiehtly, but dangerous.
Mr.. Bryant said the railroad company
would make no such stipulation with the
citv. The east end of the tunnel could not
be constructed to correspond with the west
ern entrance. There was sharp curve at
the former, which practically precluded
carving out such q plan. Mr. Thompson, OF
the railroad company, had declined to enter
into snch a covenant
MIR. Acnew could see DO real obstacle to
carrying out the plan urged wall could
be built at the east end IS we'll as at the
west end.
On motion of Mr.. Mckenzie tn @ report Of
tho committee was concurred in.
Mr.. BRYANT introduced an ordinance llgai-
;zing the grades of the streets Of the city, and
MIR. Howell the City Surveyor, who was
present, exhibited map of the northwest
ern section OF the city. and explained where
changes in grades were necessary. Inc
changes, in most instances, are slight except
on Cameron street at its intersection with
Fayette, where it is proposed to bring the
grade down perceptibly.
The Common Council were invited to en-
ter the chamber and view Mr.. Howeli's
| map. hut alter waiting q short time and the
members of the lower board failing to put in
an appearance, the Aldermen proceeded with
their business.
A petition from J T. Hill praying Coun'
Gil to compel the Richmond and Danvile
Company TO repair the east end of the tun
mel was read aud referred to the Committee
on Streets. The petitioner states that his
houses in that vicinity are rendered unten
antsble by the fact that people who would
otherwise rent his houses are deferred from
doing so by fears that their children would
roll through the wooden ratings to The trace
beneath.
The Common Council subseQu nIly enter
ed the chamber and made a critical survey
of the drawings az prepared by Mr.. Howell
and af,er elaborate explanations by the lat
ter gentleman r Joint session convened 10
listen to the Surveyor read his report which
ut previous meeting Council had directed
MIN to make.
After the joint convention dissolved some
routine business was transacted and various
papers which had been acted upon by the
Common Council were conourred in, and
later the act legaizing the grade was a'set
The Aldermen, however, refused to con-
cur in the action OF the Common Couacll or
daring the Superintendent of Police to re.
move the railroad switch on Wilkes street,
between Pitt and Royal, within ten days il
Messrs. Campbell & Co, propTietors of the
tan bark mill, neglect TO alter the railroad
track at that point. Several residents of the
locality complain that their cellars are Hood
ed and the foundations of their houses dam
ared during heavy rains by the present con-
diion of the railroad track.
Mr.. Mckenzie, Mr.. Marbury and MIR.
| Goodrich thought Council should not act in
sroh q summory manner until the matter
was more thoroughly investigated, and the
petition was referred to the Committee on
Streets. after which the Aldermen took q re-
cess, and al sixteen minutes past ten o'clock
adjourned.