Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-25
CITY COUNCIL.

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
1t was nearly half-past eight O'Clock
when the board was called to order.
Six members were present.
After the reading of the minutes OF
the last meeting communication from
Auditor Price announcing the exhaus-
ton of the fund for street cleaning pur-
poses was received from the Common
Council and the report of the finance
committee recommending an additional
appropriation of $500 was adopted.
Nothing further appearing on motion
of Mr.. Sweeney recess was taken
while awaiting business from the Com
mon Council.
When the board was again called to
order the appropriation bill for the year
came in from the lower board and was
passed.
The license law came in next and it
was also passed.
There was no debate on any CT the
business presented, and the board
about half-past nine o'clock adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Common Council had quorum
soon after eight O'Clock and was called
to order.
The finance committee reported in
favor of a second appropriation of $500
for cleaning streets, and the report was
adopted.
The same committee then reported
the annual appropriation bill which
increased nothing, but diminished the
appropriations for cleaning streets, the
fire departments and electric light
works, and divided the appropriation
for the relief of the poor into two parts;
but made none for the Board OF Health.
Mr.. Uhler explained that the appro-
pliationfor bitches, &c., was in place
of the usual appropriation for the
Board OF Health, as that board had not
organized, for the reason, as stated by
some of its members, that the City
Council had never paid attention TO
the recommendations of the board.
After some questions had been asked
MIR. Uhler further explained that the
limited receipts of the fiscal year,
1889, were SOS, 740. including $i0,-
600 which the committee expect to
receive this year from the gas works,
and the expenditures, Sill ,SS7. 1t
YVES necessary to be careful in all ex
penditures.
Mr.. Trimyer made some inquiries as
to the appropriation for the poor and
was Informed that whereas heretofore
the appropriation for the poor had
been in a lump sum. it now was divid,
ed into two parts-$1 800 for the poor
house and -, 400 to the outdoor poor.
Mr.. Trimyer said he WAS satisfied.
Mr.. Smith was surprised that the ap-
preparation for cleaning streets had
been decreased. He did not see how
the work could be cut.
Mr.. G. N Moore said that only twice
last year had the street cleaners been
in his neighborhood. II there be re-
duction he supposed they would not
come at all Caughter.
Mr.. Uhler impressed upon the board
the fact that only S10S,000 would be
collected as the income of the city for
the year, and the expenditures must
be kept within these bounds. He said
shat it now cost twice as much to clean
the streets as it did ten years ago.
Some debate took place as to whether
the chain.eang or free labor on the
streets was the more economical.
The appropriations bill passed, yeas
IA, nays O.
The finance committee then reported
the license tax law for 1859, which
differs in nothing material from last
year and it was passed, yeas IA, noes 0.
Mr. Birrell asked if the committee on
streets had considered his resolution
looking to the trimming of trees which
overriding streets, obstructing wagons,
fire engines. &c. Unless something
is done there was, he said, danger that
fire engine seats and wagon tops would
be carried of and perhaps drivers
killed.
Mr.. Smith replied that the committee
had not yet taken up the subject.
Mr.. Birrell said the matter was ur'
CERT and he hoped the committee
would speedily attend to it.
After q petition of MIR. Douglass
Stuart, attorney for the Garrett estate,
asking reduction Of tax assessment on
the Mount Vernon cotton factory had
been referred,
Mr.. Flcklin introduced en- order to
employ an official at $50 per-month to
light, extinguish and care for the street
gas lights now in use.
It was suggested that the matter 60
to the committee on light.
Mr.. Ficklin replied that be thought
the matter an urgent one, as many OF
these lamps, useful in dark places, were
out of order
The Chairman said he thought in
view of the statement just made by the
chairman of the finance committee that
the employment of man to extln-
cuish the few gas lamps now in use
was unnecessary and that it was IS III
tie as the present police force could do
to extinguish these few lights. :.
Mr.. G. w. Moore informed the board
that since the electric lights had been
in operation no permit was made fer
gas light on q street unless some citi'
zen would guarantee to see it cared tor.
Mr.. Ficklin said that lamp opposite
his residence had been atteaded to by
a man whom he employed at cost OF
81 so per month. The light has lately
been nut out and the gas tip and glass
carried away. He thought some action
should be taken.
Ia reply to question If the employ
ment of man to extinguish these
lights would prevent the bad boys of the
CITY from tamperipg with the light it
was intimated that some of the poilce