Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-06-26
COMMON COUNCIL.

At an ad burned meeting of tho Common Coun-
Gil of the city of Alexandria, held on tho 18th
day of June, 1889, there were present: John T..
Sweeney esq, president, and Messrs Aitcheson
VIM 8. Moore, Snowden, c. N. Moore, Fisher,
Gronau, Corbett, Waddey, Smoot, Strider and
Bayne.
A communication from tho Mayor announcing
vacancy in the police force caused by tho reslg-
nation OF officer Bontz was received and load.
The Committee on Finance reported adversely
upon the following to wit: Upon the petition OF
A. w. Armstrong commits i0ner, for abatement Of
taxes on tho property Of z. Bell, ir upon the Pc
tition of John w. Green and VIM. N. Brown for
an aba ement of taxes on real estate; upon the
petition Of Mrs. M. A. Buchanan for an abatement
of taxes real estate, and upon the petition of
Henry Arnold for an abatement OF taxes on real
estate.
The Committee on Finance reported favorably
upon the following, To wit Upon the petition of
Potomac Lodge, /. o. o. F., for the correction of
an improvement bill upon the petition of Eliza
beth r. Hooes heirs for tax-sale release, and
upon the potion of VIM. Mullen for an abatement
of taxes on real estate.
a general report from tho Finance Committee
upon the subject OF the compromises of back taxes
was received and read as follows:
To The Honorable the City Council;
Gentlcmen-Ip making this final report on var
ious applications for compromises and reductions
In tax bills, the Finance Committee submits the
following as an explanation Of their action and to
show how and why such compromises and reduc-
tions have heretofore been recommended and Of
| fected:
Coupons were generally used in 1878, and IN
order that the city treasury should not DO c1-
hausted Of all its money and all sources cl reVe-
nue.. by authority of the City Council OF cato
August 16 1878, the Finance Committee were
clothed with the following authority, making
it the du.y OF the Finance Committee to advise
with the collectors in allowing discount on taxes"
Coupons at this time sod or were generally quot
ed at Zoe on the 100c and persons were allowed TO
nav bill of say 50 for Sc 30 in cash. This form
| Of settlement was lserved from August l6, 1878
| to July /. 1879. Council also by resolution
| passed March IL, 1879 refunded to all persons
who had paid their taxes for 1878 in money, i p
per cent. This was done to pat on the same 1907
ing those persons who had received only IL y per
cent. discount on their bllls, Win tnose WHO &c
| ceved 80 per cent.
Subsequent to July 1879. all petitions for re-
auctions were a idresssd to tho City Council and
reductions if any, made by their authority.
1t has been the custom of the various Commit
| tees on Finance to deduct from each bill up 10
and including the year 1873 30 per cent, the
practice,of the committee being to recommend no
| reduction OH any bill subs qucnt to 1873.
Tho Finance Committee have frequently oil late
reported adversely uron applications Tor Ieduc-
ton because Of IAN act of the General Assembly
| of Virginia passed February goth 1855, which
Corporations of the Commonwealth be, and the
same are hereby forever declared from collecting
taxes due and payable prior 10 January LIST, 1870,
provided that this act shall not apply to taxes as
sessed against the lands OF non resident lana own
ers." 1t will be seen by the workings of this act
that all taxes prior to 1876 are denareo, so lae
city is prevented from collecting as much AZ IL
| did even when compromises were made.
| Respectfully submitted,
Tho Committee on Finance reported resolu.
ton appropriating $3.50 for the purchase OF lot
adjoining the Hydrsulion engine house, which
| was adopted.
The Committee on Finance reported upon the
| resolution as to a settlement with the Unlteo
States as to division of the fund realized from
| the sale of the AlexandIia Canal that they DC en-
| powered to settle the same on the best terms p
sible, which report was adopted.
| The annual statements of the City Treasurer, oi
the City Auditor, and of the public debt were re-
| ceived.
"An ordinance to prohibit the sale of intoXl
| eating liuuors and other drinks between twelve
o'clock on Saturday night and sunrise of the sue
ceeding Monday morning" was read three times
and passed by the following vote Ayes, Messrs
Fisher, Gronau, Waddey, Strider, Bayne, Coroett,
Smoot and MI Presdent-12. Noes, none.
| On the motion of Mr.. Fisher the vote was re-
| considered and the matter laid over
The following resolution offered by Mr. Bayne
was unanimously passed.
Be it resolved by the Common Council, That
the thanks of this body be, and they are hereby
| rendered to our Mr.. President for tho fair and
impartial manner jim which he has presided over
| our deliberations.
The following wero received from the Board Of
Aldermen and their action thereon concnrred IN
viz: Tho report of the Committee on Finance
upon the petition of A. j. Wedderburn the peli
| t;on of tho Alexandria Light Infantry "a 10 pas
bills, and the petition OF A. W. Armstrong and
others for the repair of Prince street, between st
| Asaph and Pitt streets.
The Board then adjourned.
| Teste: JAMES Il. eaton, CierA'