Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-01-25
CITY COUNCIL

than at any meeting since the election
of policemen and other corporation
officers over a year and half ago
People began to gather in the halls and
lobbies of the City Hall shortly after
seven o'clock, and when the Common
Council chamber was opened seats with
out the bar and within, too, were quick
~ preempted. Before the boards were
finally raped to order a dense crowd
had packed itself within the room OF
the lower board where it was under
stood a Joint meeting would be held.
The questions being agitated by the
rival street railways seemed to absorb
every ones interest. Officers and at
torneys of both companies were present,
and knots of members of both boards
talked excitedly head to head.
BOARD OF ALDERMAN.
After the reading and approval Of the
minutes Of the last meeting,
Mr.. Bryant, from the committee on
streets, to whom had been referred the
ordinance granting Luther w. Spear
and others the right to construct rail
road through certain streets of the city,
presented the same amended so as to
limit the duration Of the charter to ten
instead of thirty years, and providing
that any steam railroad should at the
option of Council be allowed to pass
through any streets desired.
Mr.. Burke asked if there would be
any objection to the present electric
railroad company at any future time
extending their road down Fair
fax street from Franklin instead of
Royal, as at present.
The President (Mr. Marbury) said
that should be incorporated in the or
dinance.
Mr.. Bryant said the company repre-
sented by Mr.. Spear had no objection
TO such an amendment.
Mr.. Leadbeater said it would be bet
ter to wait until the joint session were
over which it was proposed to hold.
Should the Aldermen act now the bill
would be passing to and fro between
the two boards and much time neces-
sarily consumed.
The matter was finally laid aside and
a resolution directing the Auditor to
issue warrant for one months pay to
Policeman George Jones, who has been
sick for some time, was received from
the Common Council and, on motion of
Mr.. Goodrich, was concurred in.
Several other papers were received
from the lower board and concurred in,
among them the report OF the commit
tees recommending the purchase of
horses for the hose carriages for the
fire companies and employing drivers.
Subsequently the Aldermen repaired
to the chamber of the Common Coun-
Gil for the purpose of participating in
the Joint debate upon the ordinance al
lowing Mr.. Spear and his associates to
build their proposed road, and upon
their return the ordinance was amend
ed by inserting proviso allowing the
Mount Vernon road ut any time the
privilege of extending the tracks down
Fairfax street from Franklin.
Mr.. Bryant moved that the ordinance
be placed upon its passage, and the
roll being called it was passed unani-
mously.
The act was then sent to the Com
mon Council and the Aldermen took y
recess while waiting to hear from that
board. In half an hours time word
came that the lower board had concur
red in the Aldermen's action, and this
board adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
1t was 7.45 before the board was
opened, but subsequently every seat
was filled.
When the report of the finance CON-
mittce in favor of granting $1,000 to
complete the new 1nfirmary building,
was presented,
The chair asked that the report be
laid over.
Mr.. Mushbach inquired if there was
any reason for that course.
The chair said it was well understood
that any citizen in Alexandria could
stop this appropriation by appeal to
the courts, and he did not think it
should be passed hastily. He was one
of the trustees and contributed as far
as he could to the Infirmary but
he would like further time in the mat
ter.
Mr.. Fisher supported the view of the
chair. He, too, was q trustee OF the
Infirmary but was opposed to action
tonight, for some citizen of Alexandria
might be mean enough to oppose the
matter at law.
Mr.. Mushbach was extremely desir-
Gus to have the appropriation made but
he did not desire to precipltate debate
and would not insist on vote, so the
matter was laid over.
Mr.. Mushbach presented various re-
ports from the general laws committee.
1t was, he said, hard to get quorum,
but when we did get quorum we did
abundance of work. He presented a
number of reports and gave reasons for
them, In commenting on the adverse
report in relation toa special policeman
for Shiloh Baptist Church, he said If
there are not enough members in Shi-
lob Church to throw out disorderly
person, the church ought to dissolve.
Laughter.
The report OF the combined commit
tees on the petition for the purchase of
horses and the appointment of drivers
for the hose carriages was read. TWAS
stated that al expenditure of 81, $50 for
the purchase of hose wagons, harness
and horses would be required.
An order authorizing the purchase
ana making the necessary appropriation
was passed.
Mr.. Uhler said he would vote for this,
hoping that this movement would lead
to fully haid fire department. and
ifS nrnner rerlllatinn At q recent fire