Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-11-15
i:oAl;D OF ALDERMEN

me Aid. men were called to ord,
by President Marbury at ten minutes L
,ight o'clock.
The committees were called, but they
having n hing to report, some matter:
which had >sbeen disposed of by the
Common Council at the last meeting
and laid over were concurred in.
Mr.. Burke introduced resolution
postponiug the proposed sale of prop
/ erty for taxation until further notice
lie stated that during the past three
weeks numbers Of people had settled
their tax bills aud others had promised
| t. do so hence it might prove practi
cal to omit the sale altogether this year
The speaker had had talk with the
tax collectors and had ascertained that
only about 81 800 was owing.
Mr.. Carlin said that inasmuch as the
provisions of the resolution were prac
tically those he urged at the last meet
ing Of the board, he would take grea,
pleasure in voting for it.
Mr.. Sweeney quoted Mr. Carlin's re
marks, and said at the last meeting he
! (Mr Co. had not asked for continue
ance until his amendment substituting
January %, 1894, as the day for the
sale had failed. The speaker, after
having listened to Mr.. Burke's explana.
ton coinciled with him in his views
Had Mr.. Carlin's amendment been
adopted, he said, the city would have
been subjected to the expense of carry.
ing out its provisions.
Mr.. Burke thought the committee on
finance had acted with discretion in
the matter.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Leadbeater offered resolution
requiring the Superintendent of Police
to abate the nuisance on the Grigg
property, on the west side of Pitt
street, between Duke and Prince. He
stated that he offered the resolution at
| the request Of several residents of the
neighborhood. The house which for
.merly stood on the lot had fallen of its
volition recently, and dangerous walls
having been left standing the Mayor
had ordered the Superintendent of Po-
lice to pull them down. Parts of the
walls, however, which protrude some
distance on the sidewalk were still
standing and the water in the cellar
was ct times three feet deep. Besides,
there was foul well in the yard. The
taxes had been allowed to accumulate
on the property and about $500 was now
due the city. There was q mortgage,
too, on the property, and those having
interest in it would realize nothing af-
ter the mortgage were raised and the
taxes paid. He had been told 80 by
Mr.. James Grigg, who had also said he
was in no way concerned in its final
disposition. The property had been
left by the late Mr.. Grigg, the original
owner, to his two daughters, both OF
whom were dead.
Mr.. Sweeney asked if there was not
law enough on the subject for the Su-
perintendent of Police to act in the
matter, or TO bring the parties before
the Mayor for allowing the nuisance TO
continue.
Mr.. Carlin said State law provide d
for the abatement of the nuisance by
indicting the owners of such property
by the grand jury.
Considerable debate followed as to
who was the proper party or parties to
proceed against, and the resolution
was eventually withdrawn.
A report from the committee on
streets (received from the Common
CounciD appropriating $500 for the
opening of Pitt street from Franklin To
the corporation line, precipitated con-
siderable debate and some confusion,
the Aldermen having in the early part
of the evening referred a resolution pro-
viding for this work to the committee
on streets. Mr.. Burke, however, at
the last meeting had presented Pc
tition of several persons living in the
neighborhood praying for the opening
of the street, and the report presented
was doubtless on that paper.
Mr.. Sweeney thought the street
should be opened only by the provisions
of an ordinance, as there was no telling
what litigation might follow. He ia
vored the opening of streets, but want
ed such work done in a legal manner.
There was no telling what opposition
the city might encounter from parties
occupying property on the line OF SAID
Improvement.
Mr.. Carlin said he would vote for
the resolution provided it was not con-
templated to divert all traffic from old
Hunting creek bridge to the electric
railway bridge, a. d thus leopard the
renewal of the former structure.
Mr.. Leadbeater said he had had o
talk with Mr.. Cation, the chairman OF
the committee on streets, and ne had
told him the people wanted an lmme,
date outlet from the city to lower Fair
fax county. There was no intention
of rendering the renewal of the old
bridge unnecessary.
Mr.. Lindsey thought it necessary 10
open the street to the railway bridge.
Mr.. Sweeney favored the reference
ofthe resolution to the Corporation AT,
torney.
Mr.. Burke, in answer to Mr.. Swee.
neys objections, said he had heard Mr..
Cation Say that an ordinance had been
passed over year ago providing for
the opening of Pitt street, and this res
olution merely appropriated the amount
to carry out the provisions of that ordi
nance. Besides, he understood the
deeds to most property in that neigh.
borhood specially provided for the
opening of the street. He, however,
thought it best to have a conference
with committee from the other board
This was agreed to- and Messrs. Burke
and Carlin were appointed on the part
of this board. They retired and soon
reported in substance what Mr.. Burke