Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-05-29
CITY COUNCIL.

VIZ, AO6oAuiSo VI SCA. LIS ldA M6S
81 last year. Some changes were also
made in the license law.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present, in.
GLIDING Mr.. Theophilus Ballenger.
who was sworn in as member to ELL
the vacancy occasioned by the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Charles Goodrich.
Mr.. Burke introduced the appropria-
ton bill for the coming fiscal year.
sos, 1926 were appropriated for the run.
ming of the city government during the
next twelve months. About one-third OF
this amount, of course, goes toward
paying the interest on the public debt.
MIR. Sweeney made some inquiries
concerning $500 donated in the ordi-
nance to the Alexandria In6rmary.
Mr.. Burke said he could give no par
ticular reason why the appropriation
was made. 1t had been the custom for
the past two years.
Mr.. Sweeney was not averse to the
appropriation. The Infrmary was a
desideratum in the city. But he had
often been asked what arrangement ex-
listed between it and the city and he de-
sired to 6e enlightened in order 70 be
able to give an intelligent answer in
future.
Mr.. Burke said Council at one time
furnished medicines for the In
Urinary, but there had recently been
some misunderstanding among the at
tending physicians, and the lady
h, o,l-ol A., IN N
in lieu of the medicines, they to pur-
chase the latter when they pleased.
1t was stated that the Mayor, by
virtue of this appropriation, could send
patients to the Infirmary.
Mr.. Sweeney replied that he was
aware of that fact, but in cases of emer-
gency should person be allowed to
lie where he fell until permit could
be obtained from the Mayor?
The ordinance was finally passed, it
being generally conceived that this
amount was expected from the city
each year for the Intirmary.
Mr.. Leadbeater introduced an order
authorizing the committee on public
| property TO make arrangements with
| the Alexandria Water Company for the
introduction of Cameron water into the
aims house. He showed the need Of
something more than we'll water at that
| place, especially in the case of fire,
when hose could be attached to q
hydrant and conflagration averted.
1t would cost the city about $50 year.
The pipes now pass close to the aims
house.
After some debate the order was re-
ferred to the committees on public pro-
perty and poor.
Mr.. Davis introduced a resolution
directing the Auditor to cancel lease
made to E. E. Downham of a lot be-
longing to the city in the rear of the
Jail. This is the lot Mr.. Davis desires
TO secure for the accommodation of the
chain gang during rainy weather. He
said the lessee was willing to relinquish
it. The lease expires by limitation on
the 1st of July.
Mr.. Ballenger, however, thought the
procedure rather premature in the abb
sence of any communication from Mr..
Downham.
1t was finally determined to refer the,
resolution to the committee on streets.
No other business occasiOned debate.
COMMON COUNCIL.
There was bare quorum when the
board opened at $50.
Mr.. Uhler, from the finance commit
tee, reported the annual tax bill reduc-
ing the tax on property from 81 to
81 80 on the one hundred dollars, and
the bill was passed.
The license and tax bill was then
taken up and, at Capt. Mushbach's sug-
gestion, only those portions in which
changes had been made were read.
When the tax on retail liquor license,
increased from $50 to SO, came up,
Mr.. Fisher asked the reason why
retail liquor dealers who paid $50 last
wear were now to be taxed SO. He
thought that if higher license was
imposed there would be more speak
easies."
Mr.. Uhler replied that the corpora
ton officers had told the committee
that the retail liquor trade required
more police work than all the other
business combined, and the cost of the
police had been increased to about
50 900 year. The tax in Lynchburg
was $500, Richmond $3.50, and in all
other Virginia cities in like proportion.
MIR. Fisher said it was not the taxed,
but the untaxed liquor sellers who
give additional work to the police.
Mr.. Mushbach suggested that there
was no motion pending.
Mr.. McCuen moved to reduce the
tax on barrooms from SIS, as reported
by the committee, to $50, as now. He
said that while the tax in Lynchburg
and other Virginia cities was much
greater than in Alexandria, the total
amount received for license taxes on re-
tail liquor sellers was greater here than
in Lynchburg or any other of the high
licensed cities.
The motion to amend was lost-six
to four.
When the dog tax, sl25, on all dogs
without regard to sex, race or condi-
ton came up,
Mr.. Uhler explained that formerly
the female dogs were rated higher than
the males; now both sexes were made
equal, and it was expected that all dog
owners should pay up.
Mr.. Thompson moved to reduce the
tax on dogs to 81 each without reference
to sex, but the motion was lost. The
tax last year was 81 on each dog.
The entire license act was then pass
ed, yeas, 9; nays, 1-Mr. McCuen. The
only changes in the revenue bill al