Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-01-04


titioning the Legislature for an amend
ment to the city charter. There was
but a corporal's guard of spectators
present.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
1t WAS nearly eight o'clock when the
Aldermen were called to order, and the
President, Mr.. Marbury, being absent,
Mr.. Hinken nominated Mr.. Burke, but
that gentleman declined the honor and
nominated Mr.. Leadbeater, and he was
elected.
The clerk then read the communica-
ton Of the Mayor giving his reasons for
calling Council together.
Mr.. Kraft, of the lower board, ap-
peared in the chamber and invited the
Aldermen to meet the Common Council
in Joint session for the purpose of listen
ing to the report of the joint committee
on general laws and finance in regarGto
amending the city charter, and on mo-
ton the invitation was accepted and
the Aldermen repaired to the chamber
| of the Common Council.
Upon their return the report of the
committee was received from the Com
mon Council, but its reading was dis
pensed with, as the members had but
few minutes previously heard it read,
and the action of the lower board con
corning the paper was concurred III.
An ordnance in regard to the tapping
OF public sewers was also received
from the lower board and their action
concurred in.
A resolution amending section of
an ordinance regulating the opening Of
streets by plumbers and others was re,
ceived from the Common Council and
their action concurred in.
An application from Vim. Fl. Smith,
City Sergeant, for blankets for the use
of the prisoners in the jail was present
ed by Mr.. Leadbeater. chairman of the
committee on public property, aud
caused some debate. but the matter
was finally referred back to that COM
mittee.
An ordinance for the grading of GER
tain streets in the Second ward was re-
ceived from the Common Council.
Mr.. Burke moved that the ordinance
be put upon its passage, and Mr.. Lind
sey secondng the motion the action of
the lower board was concurred in unan-
imously.
An ordinance for the grading of GER
tain portions Of other streets in the
northern section of the city was also re-
ceived from the Common Council and
on motion of Mr. Sweeney it was also
passed unanimously.
These ordinances are the outcome of
an appropriation of $500 made few
weeks ago for the opening and grading
of certain streets.
Mr.. Sweeney said he desired to call
up resolution, laid over at the last
meeting, providing for the improve
ment of certain streets in the south
western portion of the city. Mr.. Swee-
ney stated that he was not present at
the last meeting.
Mr.. Lindsey said he had made mo-
ton to adjourn, and asked if that mo-
ton didn't take precedence.
It was decided that it did and the
board accordingly adjourned, with the
understanding that the resolution re-
ferred to by Mr.. Sweeney would be con-
| SlQeroQ at Inc next meeGlub.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council met last night
at the call of the Mayor.
The Mayors message announced that
he had called the Council to receive a
report from the finance and general
laws joint committee.
Mr.. Kraft moved joint meeting to
hear the report, which was agreed to.
Before the Aldermen were called in
Mr.. Cation moved to take up the bill for
new streets in the Second ward.
The chair-The board was called for
special business and any other business
will require unanimous consent.
The bills were taken up by unani-
nous conset, but pending the reading
the Aldermen came into the chamber.
The boards having convened in joint
session, President pro tenn Leadbeater
of the Aldermen taking his seat beside
the chairman of the Common Council,
Mr.. Kraft submitted unanimous re-
port of the joint committee of finance
and general laws relative to changes
in the city charter He said:
Mr.. President wish to submit the
report of the joint committee on fl
nance and general laws acting under
a resolution authorizing them to look in
to the feasibility and ACCESSIBILITY of
consolidating certain municipal offices
with view of reducing expenses.
The report submitted only refers to
such consultations as require change
in our city charter, and will be sup
plemented at later date by an addi-
tional report referring to such consoli-
dations, which are feasible and do not
require an amendment of our city char
ter. The committee held five meet
ings and with the assistance of the Cor
poration Attorney and Captain Mush
bach, member from the Third ward,
went over the whole field carefully,
only having in view the good of the
city, without any personal considera-
tons, and the report is unanimous
one.
One of the changes combines the Su-
perintendent of Gas with Clerk of Gas,
and creates one Collector of Taxes in
stead of two collectors as now.
Mr.. Kraft stated that it was intend
ed to also abolish the control which the
voters exercise over the election of the
Clerk of the Market, and that it was
proposed also to abolish the offices of
Superintendent of Police and Of Gauger
and Inspector of Liquors.
An amendment of the 18th section
gives the City Council power to make