Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-12
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
City Council Holds Its First Regular Meet
ing of Present Year.
Mayors Veto of Telephone Ordinance
Sustained by One MnjOrity-Gen-
ernl and Personal News.
Evening Star Bureau,
so King street.


ALEXANDRIA. Va. January II, 1885,
The first regular meeting Of the city coun-
Gil since the Christmas holidays vas held
at the city hall last night, with large at
tendance.
The first matter of Importance to come
up the mayors veto of the American
Telephone and Telegraph Companys Or
dinanCe, which was passed some weeks ago.
After some little debate the veto of the
mayor was sustained by vote OF Z to 6,
and new legislation will have to be mad in
order for this company to enter the city
with its lines.
There were no reports from the finance,
streets or general laws committees.
A petition from Mr.. John c. Athey for
reduction in his tax assessment on house
524 Queen street was referred to the COM
mittee on finance. A petition from several
King street merchants, asking for reduc-
ton in the charge made for tapping the
King street sewer, was referred TO the COM
mittce on finance, as was also a petition
from Mr.. Charles Goodrich to be relieved
from taxes on property formerly owned by
him.
Additional Fire Engine.
A communication was received from the
city auditor stating that the appropriation
for street repairs, fire plugs and public
property is exhausted. The matter was re-
ferred to the committee finance
A communication from Mr. E. S. Lead
beaten in regard to the purchase of an adj
Gitional steam fire engine, to be kept in
the old Hydraulian engine house and to be
used in cases of emergency, was referred to
the committee public property and fl
nance.
Among other matters disposed Of the
sum of $36 was appropriated for the use of
the board of health. to purchase disinfect-
ants, to be used in cases of contagious dis
cases; Mr.. Thomas Beach was granted per-
mission to reShingle his house at the cor
ner of Queen and Alfred streets: an ordi-
nance to anend section 43 Of the license
laws, in regard to fish dealers, was re-
ferred TO the committee on finance; per-
mission was granted to the Western Union
Telegraph Company to remove its office
from It's present location to building on
King street, between Fairfax and Royal,
they to use only such poles as are now
standing on King street between Pitt and
Fairfax, as will accommodate them, or else
substitute suitable poles for those now in
position. but not in any event to increase
the number of poles on King street; an
appropriation of $50 was made for placing
a crossing at the corner of Oronoco and
Royal streets, and resolution appropriat-
ing 500 for the purchase of oyster shells
for street repairs, and $500 for cast iron
pipes, was referred to the committee on
streets.
The Direct Tax Fund.
A resolution appropriating $3,OSS.76 for
improving Washington street, from Queen
street north, was referred to the committee
on streets. This is the amount that was
turned into the treasury of the city by
Treasurer Harlow the balance of the
direct tax which had not been called for
and which under state law is to be used
for street improvements.
A resolution apprOpriating $500 for repay
ing King street between Fairfax and ROYAL
streets with asphalt block was laid over
until the next meeting. resolution appro-
priating $500 for repairs to Lee street be-
tween Duke and Prince streets was re-
ferred to the committee on streets. A reso-
luton directing the committee on light to
descent plant at the electric light works
was referred to the committee on light.
Frank Westlake Reprimanded.
Little Frank Westlake was given a pre-
liminary hearing before Mayor Simpson in
his office at police headquarters this morn
ing, on a charge of having seriously cut
Hugh Todd, an account of which was pub
lshed in yesterdays Star The mayor rep
rimanded the boy and dismissed him to
await the result of young Todds injuries
The latter was said to be improving when
inquiry was made by Star reporter this
morning.
Bread and Water Diet.
Some days ago r. H. Davis a negro mem.
Der of the chain gang, refused to work
when the force was taken out on the
street. and was sent to police headquarters
on bread and water diet. He remained
on this diet eleven days, and the mayor,
seeing that it was having a bad effect on
| his health. released him. This morning
George Stearns. Alex Rowe and John Bales
| appeared before the mayor for having re-
| fused to work on the gang. The mayor
was of the opinion that they were trying to
have the same experience as Davis but
| told them they would have to take the
| bread and water diet until they had made
| up their minds to go to work, even IL he
| had to keep them there for a year. Stearns
wanted to know whether he would be al
| lowed to use tobacco, but the mayor
| thought 1T would not agree witt his health.
Hardly had they been taken bsck to their
| cells before all three agreed to return to
work, but as 1t was q rainy day the MAYOR