Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-04-29
CITY COUNCIL.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

| reading OF the ordinance TO regulate
buildings, etc., kept the board in SEES
I sion for nearly three hours, and after
the first reading, several amendments be-
ing made, it was finally laid over for
final consideration until the next meet
ing. The members of the board, with
the exception of Messrs. Sweeney and
Burke, were anxious TO do away with
the second reading and only read the
caption, but MIR. Sweeney said that,
under the rules of all parliamentary
bodies, and especially those OF the
Board of Aldermen, the bill would
have to 20 on its second reading. He
was, however, ready to break the mo-
notony by proceeding with other bust
ness.
Mr.. Smoot said he did not like that.
When he had to take medicine he al
WAYS took it at once to be done with
it. He then kindly assisted the clerk
in reading the long ordinance.
Mr.. Sweeney moved to amend sec.
ton IA by inserting the word two
instead of '6ve" in the first paragraph.
He thought it was an exhorbitant
charge to put on man who could only
afford to build home costing few
hundred dollars. Alexandria should
not exceed Washington in such charges.
He thought 50 would be right, as the
money went into the city treasury for
permits to build. He did not think it
was the object of Council to elect o
building inspector to impose on the
people, but it was intended that he
should protect them.
Mr.. Davis said that if the law had
been in effect about month ago it
would have proved a blessing to one
citizen in the Third ward.
Mr.. Burke said that the price should
be more on high priced building and
less on building that costs less than
$4,000.
Owing to the fact that the lower
board had adjourned, Mr.. Sweeney
moved to lay the matter over until the
next meeting, which prevailed.
When the report of the committee
on public property recommending the
appropriation of $1,000 for a new en-
CINE house in the Second ward for the
Hydraulion Fire Co. came up for con-
sideration,
Mr.. Smoot said that the committee
had determined to keep the engine
house in the Second ward for the rea-
son that the business interests of that
section of the city demanded it. II
the city should continue to grow to
the northwest new engine would have
to be purchased.
| Upon the petition of the Business
Mems League requesting council to SUBJ
nit to the freeholders of the city on the
first Tuesday in June next, the ques-
ton of the issue of bonds for the pur-
pose of improving streets, ETC.,
Mr.. Burke said that as member OF
the committee he had voted against it.
The recent action of several citizens in
the matter of sewer tapping, etc., in this
city had convinced him that they were
not ready for such vast improvements.
As for himself he thought it was un-
wise for the city to take any such bur-
den upon itself.
| Mr.. Hinken wanted to know if women
were allowed to vote. He thought it
but fair that they should, as great
many of them were freeholders.
Mr.. Sweeney said that the act of the
Legislature only provided for male free
holders.
The action of the Common Council in
referring the matter to special com.
mittee Of five was concurred in, and
Messrs. Smoot and Burke were ap-
pointed on the part of this board.
The board, after concurring in sew
eral other measures, from the lower
board, then adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board was called to order shortly
after s o'clock.
After the reading of the minutes q
communication from the Mayor was
read calling the attention of Council to
the condition of the outlet of the sewer
at Royal and Franklin streets. The
| Mayor in his communication calls at
tention to the fact that the present
state of affairs at that intersection is not
only unwholesome but menace to
health, and recommends its immediate
abatement. A petition signed by w.
P. Graves, Martin Lawler, Levi Hoff
man and others praying for the abate-
ment of the nuisance was also present
ed. Both were referred to the commit
tee on streets.
Mr.. Uhler, from the finance commit.
tee, presented the tax and license laws
| for the year beginning June l., 1896, and
at his request they were recommitted
to the committee.
Mr.. Uhler also presented report on
the petition of the Business Mems
League of this city who pray Council
to order an election among the free
holders of the city as to whether or not
there shall be issued 100000 in bonds
for the purpose of paving and sewering
the streets of the city. The committee
in its report signify its aversion to the
issuance of bonds, but are willing if
Council in its wisdom deems it proper
to have the election ordered.
Mr.. Mushbach didn't understand the
position of the committee. They re.
ported adversely to the issue of the
bonds and in favor of the election which
had been asked by the Business Mems
League.
Mr.. Snowden thought he understood
the report of the committee. Individ.
ually the committee were averse to in
curing this debt, but had no objection
to submitting the question to the people.
Mr.. Uhler said that MIR. Snowden had
correctly stated the position of the COM
poiftaa