Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-19
ALEXANDRIA.
Reported for TEE EVENING STAR.


The EXPRESS COMPANY TAx.-The corpora-
ton of Alexandria will soon be engaged in o
suit with the Baltimore and Ohio and the other
express companies which are now refusing to
pay the city license tax. The state of Virginia
has authorized the city council to tax for city
purposes 'all subjects in the city that may at
the time be assessed with state taxes" The ex-
press companies have always been taxed by
state and city and have heretofore had the tax
assessed on them. The present city tax law
levies ION every express company not char
tered by the state of Virginia a specific tax Of
$50 in addition to the assessed value Of their
property" Since the decision Of the United
States court in the Western Union telegraph
case the express companies have alleged that
they are not required to pay state and city
incense, because Congress has power under the
Constitution of the United States Ito regulate
commerce with foreign nations and among the
several states and with the Indian tribes. "
The mayor does not see in this provision of the
Constitution nor in the decisions under the in
terstate commerce law anything which exempts
express companies from contributing to the re-
pair OF streets used by their wagons or for the
other conveniences and protection which these
companies enjoy in consequence of the ex-
pendlture OF the money raised by municipal
taxation. He has, therefore, directed that $50
per day be assessed against the Baltimore and
Ohio expressman for doing business without
license, and tomorrow will have him arrested
and required to pay the fine, go to Jail, or get
habeas corpus, which will bring the case before
the nited States courts.
The GAMBLING CAsEs.-In the corporation
court Lawson Brooks, colored, indicted for a
violation OF the gaming laws of the state, has
been convicted, fined $780, and the term of his
imprisonment in Jail fixed at sixty days. The
other gambling cases have been continued un-
til the next term of the court bail in $500 being
given in each case. Nothing will be done at
present with the case of Brooks, convicted OF
violating the law, as the sentence is suspended
for sixty days, and the case will be carried to a
higher court. ON the allegation that the prose-
cutting witness was allowed to remain in the
grand jury room after he had given his testi-
mony, and upon other grounds.
NOTES.-The democratic primaries will be
held tonight in the first ward at the Concor-
dia, in the second ward at the mayors Office, in
the third at the county court house, and in the
fourth at the Friendship engine house.-The
funeral of Capt. Il. A. Taylor, late of the Mid
land road, took place this afternoon from his
home on King near Henry street.-The
Mount Vernon insurance company Of this city
held its annual meeting yesterday afternoon at
its office on King street, and after declaring a
dividend Of ten per cent elected E. E. Corbett
president; A. A. Warfield, secretary; s. H.
Lunt, treasurer, and 81. Strauss and A. w.
Armstrong. directors. These officers will serve
for three years.-The city committee on poor
has organized by the election of Nicholas I. P.
Burke as chairman.-It is said that the DAN
vile company, which has been fined $50 for
running its trains on Wolfe street faster than is
allowed by law, will take an appeal.-The
suit of Alexandria ship building company vs..
steamer Matano will have a preliminary hear
ing next Monday J. Harrison has been
awarded the contract at S497.63 for erecting a
frame school house in district No. ] Of Alexan-
dria county.