Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-10-12
BOARD OF ALDERMAN,


BOARD OF ALDERMAN.
After the reading of the minutes of
the last regular and two called meet
ings,
Mr.. Bryant, from the committee on
streets, presented an ordinance in re-
gard to the occupancy Of Henry street
by the Washington Southern Railway.
Mr. Bryant explained the provisions Of
the ordinance, in which permission is
given the railway company to continue
their track in its present position be-
tween Duke and King street, as the
placing of the same i'll the
centre of the street would bring 1t
on top of the new sewer. lie further
stated that the only difference between
the new and old ordinance was sec
ton allowing the company to put in a
sewer on its own property on Cameron
street.
The ordinance was passed unani-
mously
The committee on streets also re-
ported an ordinance for laying pave
ments on Washington street from the
public school building to Gibbon street.
Mr.. Leadbeater inquired if the prop
crty owners were willing to pay their
share of the cost of this Improvement.
Mr. Bryant said the law required
property owners to put down siX-toot
pavements OF unpaved streets. The
CITY would do the work and collect for
the same froN those owning property
on the line of the proposed improve
ment.
Mr.. Burke moved that the ordinance
be adopted Mr., Leadbeated second
ed his motion, and the ordinance hay
iRg been read three times was passed.
I'm ordinance providing for the grad
Ing and paving of the alley running
through the square bounded by Orcn-
oco. Alfred. Columbus and Princess
streets, (the owners of property bind
ing on the same TO pay the cost was
reported by the committee en- streets
aud adopted.
Sir. Burke presented letter from
the lady managers Of the Alexandria
InGrmary thanking Council for their
donation toward sustaining that instltu-
ton. Mr.. Burke said the letter should
have been presented before the summer
recess, butt had not been received in
time
Some papers which had been acted
on by the Common Council were re-
ceived from that board and their action
concurred in.
The remaining business transacted by
the board occasioned no debate and the
Aldermen adjourned few minutes past
nine o'clock.
COMMON COUNCIL,
There was fair attendance of Coun-
cilmen at the reopening of the regular
sessions last night.
A message from the Mayor found III
the official proceedings, having been
read. its various portions We're referred
TO different committees.
When an ordinance to deed the city's
interest In certain real estate to W. II.
Smith on payment of arrears OF taxes
was read,
Mr.. Mushbach asked What is it all
about?
Mr. Uhler explained that the prop
erty at the northeast corner OF the IN
tersection of Princess and Royal streets
was owned by Theodore Teed and was
sold for taxes, and bid in by the city,
Messrs. Smith and Harlow boughot out
Teed's interest and now propose to
pay all the back taxes and take the
city's interest,
An ordinance authorizing a convey
ance was adopted-ye0s, IL; nays, o,
A similar ordinance was passed by
similar vote, conveying to a. j. Cox
the interest of the city to lot on
West street.
The chair announced that the Com
missioners of She Sinking Fund having
now,$100, 100 ofcertlfcates representing
bonds borght in by the city and de-
stroyed, now proposed to cancel and
destroy those certificates, and so reduce
interest TO the extent Of S3,420.
Mr.. Uhler introduced resolution
that the finance committee be Instruct
ed, on receipt of those certificates from
the Commissioners ofthe Sinking Fund,
to burn the same.
Mr., Fisher suggested that the certifi-
Gates he destroyed in presence of the
Council at its next meeting. lie
thought that, while there was no dan
ger, under present circumstances, 1t
might be bad precedent.
Mr.. Mushbach wanted time to con-
slider the matter. 1t was now sprung
suddenly on the GogG2il He thought
the burning should be at least post
poned until Council had time to con-
;,der the matter. Itmight be that these
eep,ihcates Mould lie aeeded IS & basis
for the purpose of floating bonds to be
sold to raise money for improving the
streets and sewers of the city The
,,t+ was now advancing with strides,
not gigantic, but certainly peTceptible,
and nothing would aid prosperity more
than better streets. Until the streets
arc modcrnized We will not increase in
oopulatiQn or prosperity rs we should,
aud no effort should bespared to assure
a continuance of this forward move
ment. It was said that the city debt
could not be legally increased. He did
not think that the creditors would
have any reason to complain Ii
without increasing the debt this money
which bought the bonds was used as the
basis of new bonds not greater in
amount than those paid eli
The Chair-Certainly we will have
to destroy these certificates before we
car sue new bonds.
Mr. Mushbach-If the bonds are
burned am afraid the way toward the