Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-06-24
CITY COUNCIL.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

Aldermen last night, the board simply
concurring in the action OF the lower
board in receiving the annual report OF
the different city officers. All of the
members were present except Mr..
Sweeney, of the Fourth ward.
When the resolution directing the
appointment OIL. II. Thompson as agent
of the city to authorize and notify
Aaron Odell to quit and deliver up
the possession of the property of the
city he row holds in the north end OF
the east wing of the market,
Mr.. Ballenger said that he did not
understand why such a resolution
should be offered.
Mr.. Burke said that, according to
decision of the Corporation Attorney,
the city has no one designated to notify
such persons. He did not know that
the city wanted the property now &C.
cupied by Mr.. Odell. He did not
think that was the object of the resolu-
ton. Any other person who holds
stand in the market could be named in
the resolution. Its object was simply
to give the city position to act in the
should want certain stand.
The resolution and ordinance were
finally adopted.
MIR. Hinken, from the committee on
light, presented the report of the Clerk
of the Gas, which was received.
After cencurring in the action of the
lower board in several minor matters
the board adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board was called to order at S:l5.
After the reading ofthe minues OF the
last meeting,
Mr.. Uhler, from the finance COM
mittee, submitted the report of the Au-
ditor and City Treasurer for the past
year. In doing so he said:
SIN making the estimates for the
year ending May 81, 1896, our prob
able receipts were placed at slO6,Ooo,
or 100000. The report submitted
shows receipts SIP ,564S6. All of the
estimates were realized and the addl-
tional 5000 was received from the pay
ment of delinquent tax bills placed in
the hands of the collector for collection
| or tax sale. The estimated expenditures
were placed at sos, 400, the report
shows an expenditure of S104, 944.50.
Council in April last made additional
appropriations. The balance to the
credit of the general fund this year is
81, 62O,36, the largest legitimate bal
ance since the war and no doubt before.
In using the term legitimate mean the
receints were not increased bv anything
unusual; that is, no temporary loan,
transfer from gas fund or sale of prop
erty. In the eighteen years-1SS7 to
| 1S95-the yearly balance aggregated
S34, 200, a yearly average of $1,000.
During the first nine years referred to
the general fund was assisted by the
gas fund, but in the later years the as
sistance has not been much in evidence.
What is particularly gratifying to those
who were directly charged with the fl
uancial affairs of our city and of inter-
est to the City Council and our citizens
is the fact that the reduction made in
the tax rate last year left us sufficient
funds to pay all proper charges and a
surplus, and no increase in rate was
necessary this year. At the same time it
should be remembered that the year just
passed has been hard one upon many.
| Each years assessment shows some
| increase in our taxable values and
the amount to pay interest is one
fourth, or $4,000 less than years ago.
Our expenditures are, however, on the
increase. The fire department, public
schools, police and streets will moro
than make up the amount, besides the
electric light has cost in rs months
$54,119, and if deducted from this
sum S4.101 received from the railroads
for light furnished. the net cost per
month s'S640, or 81 $50 per year, and
| it will be less. The receipts this
year, 1S96-1S97, will be $4,000, the
expenditures as provided for in appro-
priation bill $4,000. I have no doubt
they will be more" In conclusion MIR.
Uhler said if nothing outside of the
ordinary occurred, and the finance
committee were allowed the manage
ment of this branch of the city's af-
fairs, he was assured the estimates
made would be met without any diff.
Guilty and at the end of the year the
satisfactory results which he had men,
toned would characterize the next.
The resignation of Mr.. Geo. A. Mush-
bach was again read.
Mr.. Cation said he and Mr.. Greene
had waited upon Mr.. Mushbach and
had endeavored to prevail upon him to
| withdraw his resignation. The CON-
mittee, however, had been unable to
induce that gentleman to do so. He
had expressed his appreciation of the
action of Council, but had determined
to devote his undivided attention to
the practice of his profession.
The resignation was accepted.
An ordinance amending the code in
relation to lumber, providing for its
measurement and inspection when re-
ceived and offered for sale, and the ap-
pointment of deputy inspector, wac
presented by Mr.. Cation, from the COM
mittee on general laws. The ordi-
nance provides that where lumber has
been measured and inspected once by
any sworn inspector it shall not be OBJ
ligatory upon the seller or purchaser to
have it done a second time. Mr.. Cation
said the ordinance was substitute for
the one referred to the committee at
the last meeting Council.
MIR. Greene said he understood a
number of business men were interest
ed in this matter, and he was averse to
acting upon it without proper consid.
eration He asked if an ordinance