Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-06-28

III reply TO which a member from the
Second ward said, "That might have
been the case once but it is not so now,
as these bills are as easily collected
as any other class of taxes I assert
as fact which will be confirmed by
the collectors, that notwithstanding all
the clamoring for new streets by the
progressive citizens, or rather those
who have real estate investments, that
when the bills are presented payment
is refused. OF the $4,000 spent On
north Columbus, Washington and ST.
Asaph streets, &c, but two bills have
been paid, and those in cases where
sales were made amounting to less than
$50. Council in October last, upon the
petition of the property oW ners, had
paved the alley in the square bounded
by Columbus, Alfred, Princess and
Oronoco, The owners agreeing to pay
for the work; this being private proper
ty, no payments bave yet been made to
reimburse the city. | refer to these
matters not because l am opposed to
new streets, good streets and well-paved
alleys, but because I want every tax
payer to understand the matter and
know that it is much easier to order ex-
tensive improvements, to enhance the
value of real estate and thereby benefit
class at the cost Of others, than it is to
make those benefited pay the cost or
even part of it. / am glad to an
nounce that there has been no tempo
rary loan during the past two wears
and see no reason for one this. Mr..
Z. continuing said that the affairs of
The Cos works showed great prosperity
aud closer collections tnan ever before.
This waS largely owing to the assiduity
and efficiency of MI. r. T. Cook, the
clerk o. the gas works.
When the street committee submit
ted the report of City Surveyor Graves
as to the lines of John DeSilva's lot, on
north Washington street, showing that
there is no uniformity in the area Of
squares or in street lines,
Mr.. Mushbach said it would be i'm
possible in the present state of knowl-
edge of street lines for the City Council
to take any action. Mr.. Graves seemed
to take King street as a base. Now it
was not certain that the lines of King
street were correct Maj. Johnston's
house on Washington and Oronoco
street was old enough to be a land
mark, yet Mr.. Graves thought that was
on wrong lines. The house had been
standing there more than hundred
years and it seemed that it was old
enough to have correct lines. In fact,
except the line of the Marshall House,
there was no established line in the
city and you have got to take the
street lines as they now stand" The
matter would be carried before court in
the DeSilva case in a short time, and
he thought it would be unwiSe for
Council TO act until the powers of the
CITY Council as to street lines had been
determined by judicial action.
The subject was laid over.
When the ordinance granting to the
Richmond and Danville Railroad the
right TO lay down tracks from its pres
ent terminus on Union street to the
CITY boundary south via the cove be-
tween Jefferson and Green streets, and
thence south on Lee street with turn
outs, sidings, &C., came in from the AL
dermen,
Mr. Snowden moved to strike out all
which gave any right except q single
track on the route proposed. He said
that .Jones's Point is the only part of
the city that approximate park. Many
ladies and children 90 there on summer
evenings 10 enjoy the river breeze. he
did not think that Lee street, the only
route there, should be more INSTRUCTED
than was needed, ana one railroad
track upon it would be sufficient
The amendment was adopted and
the ordinance passed unanimously.
No other business occasioned debate.
After all business was over and the
Aldermen had declared their willing
ness to adjourn,
Mr.. Snowden, the chairman, said:
Before declaring this board adjourned |
wish to return thanks to the several
members for The courtesy shown me as
chairman. When chosen to preside
over this body promised to discharge
nv duties faithfully and impartially
and in this l hope L have succeeded,
but if | have failed, have the con-
sciousness of knowing that l did my
best and acted in every instance for
what | believed was for the interest OF
the city. 1t affords me much pleasure
to hear the statements made tonight
by the efficient chairman of the finance
committee. They show the city to be
in a good financial condition and that
bv the conservative course ursu' d b :
Council the city has made fair progress
during the past two years. Again |
thank you for the courtesy extended
me. now declare Council adjourned
sine die.