Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-01-24
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
At ten minutes to eight o'clock the
Aldermen were called to order, and,
President Marbury being absent, Mr..
Leadbeater, who occupied the chair at
the last two meetings, was again select
ed to occupy that position.
Mr.. Burke, after the clerk had read
the proceedings of the last regular and
two called meetings, moved that the
board proceed with the consideration of
the amended charter.
The Aldermen had left off at the 41st
section, which provides for an improve
ment tax of ten cents on the front foot
on city property, and Mr.. Carlin moved
that the section be eliminated entirely.
Mr.. Sweeney said he thoughtit would
be best to hear the views of all the
members before such action was taken.
He was not especially welded to any
amendment to the section.
Mr.. Carlin said he had talked with
the patron of the section and both had
agreed that should it be adopted it
could be declared unconstitutional, and
read from the constitution to substanti-
ate his assertion. That instrument pro-
vides that all taxation shall be equal
and uniform, whether on real or per-
sonal property. A substitute, he said,
would be offered for the section in the
other board hence any action on the
part of this body would be futile.
Mr.. Sweeney always thought the
provisions of the section unconstitu-
lional. If no other member desired to
speak on the subject, he would favor
Mr.. Carlin's motion.
Mr.. Lindsey seconded the motion to
strike out. and it prevailed, after which
the act, as amended, was read the sec
ond time and passed by a unanimous
vote.
Some unfinished routine business was
then transacted.
Mr.. Sweeney desired TO call up the
favorable report of the committee on
streets on resolution appropriating
81, $50 for the improvement of certain
streets in the Fourth ward. The pa
per had come in from the lower board
about month ago. He said he was
not present when the report was laid
over and desired to hear it read in or.
der that he might understand the mat
Ter.
After some debate between Messrs.
Carlin, Sweeney and Goodrich it was
determined to allow the matter to lie
over until the next regular meeting.
After some routine business had been
disposed of a recess was declared
which lasted until quarter to eleven
o'clock.
Upon reassembling Mr.. Burke moved
to adjourn, but the motion was with
drawn and some minor business trans
acted.
A resolution from the lower board
directing the Corporation Attorney to
draw up bill for adoption by the Leg
islature allowing the city to issue $780,
900 in bonds for street improvements
and sewerage, was received.
Mr.. Goodrich moved that the resolu-
ton be put on its second reading.
MIR. Burke moved that the board adj
ourn. 1t was II o'clock and the reso-
luton was matter which should not
be carlessly considered, but given at
tention and time.
Mr.. Carlin seconded Mr.. Goodrich's
motion and the motion to adjourn hav-
ing been lost Mr.. Goodrich's motion
prevailed.
Mr.. Carlin then moved third
reading.
MIR. Burke, who with Messrs. Lead
beater and Hinken had opposed the sec
ond reading of the resolution, question
ed the constitutionality of the vote by
which it had reached that stage, on the
ground that, according to the rules, all
papers authorizing an expenditure OF
money should receive the sanction Of
two-t thirds of the members on the night
of introduction.
This view, however, was controvert-
ed by Messrs. Carlin and Sweeney, who
urged that the resolution did not carry
with it an appropriation, but merely di-
rected the Corporation Attorney to pre-
pare an ordinance which would have
to be submitted to Council and passed
by three-fourths vote and then be
voted on by the people before its pro-
visions could be operative.
Those who opposed the whole pro-
cedure were by no means satisfied with
these explanations, and believed in
slashing at any movement which had
for its object an increase of the citys
debt.
Mr.. Leadbeater called Mr.. Burke to
the chair and argued earnestly against
the measure. He went into the de-
tails of the readjustment of the corpo-
ration debt in 1879, referred to certain
dark pages in the city's history when
it was virtually bankrupt and described
the struggles which were necessary to
place Alexandria on the financial plane
on which it stands to-day. He deplor-
ed any movement which had for its OBJ
iect any increase of the city's liabili
ties.
After some further debate the reso-
luton was put on its third reading and
passed by the following vote: Ayes,
Messrs. Lindsey, Hinken, Goodrich,
Carlin and Sweeney. Noes, Messrs.
Burke and Leadbeater.
1t was half-past eleven o'clock when
the board adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council had a quorum
early and began business shortly after
the hour of meeting.
An order for the repair of Henry
street near Oronoko coming up,
Mr.. Cation said that this work was
needed in the interest of economy,
for unless it be done the neighboring
new paving would soon become useless.