Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-01-26

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he moved that the matter be laid on
the table, which was agreed to.
MIR. Strider presented letter from
the Corporation Attorney, enclosing
ali amendment to the city charter
which he thought would be better for
street improvement than the present
39i section.
The chair said that the purpose of
the plan was to abolish the old SD sec
ton and substitute new one conform
ing to the State law on the su bjsct.
The paper was handed to MIR. J. r.
Cation, who examined it and explained
its purport and the plan was approved.
The Fire Wsrdens reported in favor
of giving John Clapdore, driver of the
Hook and Ladder truck, IS per month
additional. and Mr.. Tri,nyer advocated
the adoption of the report.
Mr.. Uhler said he was in favor of
giving the S. additional, but the chsrt-
er forbade the increase or diminution
of any officials salary durirg his term
of office. If the Fire Wardens desire
to give Mr.. Clapdore S. per month ad
ditional they can appoint him jsnitor
of the building and make his salary
IS per month.
The subject was referred to the
+! finance committee.
Mr.. Strider, from the committee on
public property, presented, on behalf
of the Corporation Attorney, an act to
be submitted to the general assembly
declaring that the city of Alexandria
Owls tnree-fourths, and the county of
Alexandria one-fourtb, of the old court
house and Jail property.
MIR. Strider said that this bill had
been prepared by Corporation At
torney Boothe and covered the matter.
Mr.. Uhler believed that the city was
entitled to five-sixths, but was willing
to let the act be passed.
The Chair thought it would be to the
interest of the city to have the County
Courts held here and he was in favor
. OF postponing sale as long as possible.
Mr.. Strider said that the Jail would
soon have to be repaired, and while the
county used the jail the city would have
to bear the whole cost of repairs.
The chair moved that the bill be
amended so as to require sale only
when both the City Council and the
Board ofSupervisors agree to ask that
sale shall take place.
Mr.. Uhler said that the Judge would
not order a sale in opposition to the
wish of the city.
Mr.. Greene gsys information that nc
tice would have 10 be given to the City
Council of Alexandria before a sale
could take place.
The chairs amendment was agreed
to and the bill was referred to the Cor
poration Attorney, to be sent to the
legislature.
The petition for the removal Of the
Electric Railway track from Cameron
aud Columbus streets was reported by
Dir. Smith with Recommendation that
the petition be granted.
After some discussion, Mr.. Green,
VINO had expressed a doubt whether
the petition expresses the desires OF
the people,
Mr.. Uhler said that the city now OBJ
tanned taxes on that track and it
was question whether that source o.
revenue should be abandoned.
Mr.. Green to Dir. Uhler-"Mr. Uhler,
you seem to know something about the
matter. Do you know whether the pc
tition comes from the property hold
ers or from the railway company
Mr.. Ubler-"I have tried to ascertain
but have been unable to do 81"
Mr. Greene believed that the railway
company was using the petitioners as a
catspaw, for be saw that the railway
company was, seemingly, taking no in
terest in matter which concerned
their property.
Mr.. Smith said that the petition
had been handed him by Mr.
Hellmuth and it was then siga-
ed by Mr.. Geo. L. Simpson,
Mr.. NJ. B Harlow, Mr.. VIM. Wood and
some fifteen others. He had carried it
to Mr.. HGi1ersley and asked him if
that was the sentiment OF all the prop
erty holders. Ga this information be
had presented the petition to Council.
The subject was laid over.
Mr.. Uhler, as chairman of the joint
committee on finance and light, submit
ted favorable report on the PROPOSE
ton Of the Potomac Electric Company
OF Washington to furnish the city
with current for supplying
arc lights and incandescent electric
lights. The vote OF the committee on
submitting the report favorably was
four to three. His request that tbs
proposition be laid over until the next
meetinCr nravai1ei5
Two papers fastened together rela;-
ing to the purchase of an electric light
plant were received from the Board of
Aldermen and debate ensued on the
meaning of the endorsement.
1t was contended on the one side,
that the effect of the action of the Al
dermen would be to make certain the
purchase of new plant. On the other
side it was urged that the proposition
was merely one of inquiry as to the cost
of a plant.
Mr.. Greene was sent to the Alder
men to ascertain what the endorsement
meant.
Mr.. Greene returned and reported
that the Aldermen did not seem TO
understand what action they had taken
on the subject, but they had made a
new endorsement.
Afterward the clerk of the Aldermen
appeared in Council and asked leave 10
again make change in the endorse
ment which was done.
The debate continuing, MIR. Striaer
moved to refer the subject to the COM
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