Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-01-12
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


The board was called to order at
o'clock, and after the minutes Of the
last meeting had been read, no business
appearing recess was taken while
awaiting action on matters by the lower
board.
After the expiration OF about twenty
minutes bunch CT papers which had
been acted on by the Common Council
were received and their action con-
CURED in. Another interval followed,
after which fresh instalment arrived,
all of which were similarly disposed of.
None of the business melted debate.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board met a short time before
the hour fixed for opening.
The board took up the veto of the
Mayor of the ordinance granting the
right of way ever the streets for the
poles and wires of the American Tele.
graph and Telephone Company.
The veto message was read.
Mr.. Smith responded to the message
by saying that the Mayor had referred
to the committee on streets indicating
want of confidence in the committee.
The Council, he said, had selected that
committee, and they had always at.
tended 10 their duty, and, he believed,
were able to determine, with the as
sistance Of the City Engineer, such a
route for the wires as would not de-
tract from the public convenience.
Mr.. Greene said that this vetoed ord
nance had more safe guards thrown
around II than any similar ordinance
which had been adopted by the City
Council.
Mr.. Birrell thought that it was the
part of wisdom to abandon mistaken
position. He was convinced that the
Mayor had pointed out defects in the
ordinance. which the Mayor had We
toed, that should be corrected before
the ordinance went into effect. He
would vote to sustain the Mayor.
After further debate, the question
being 'Shall the bill pass notwith-
standing the veto of the Mayor" the
vote stood. yeas 7, nays 6. Nine votes
being required, the bill failed.
Mr.. Uhler, from the f1aCce commit
tee, presented an order authorizing the
Mayor and Auditor TO borrow Sl3 900,
or so much as may be needed, from the
bBuks and give the corporations notes
therefor. He said that it would be
necessary to borrow at least ap rtit Of
this amount. He continued; 1--WE are
now about $l4 COG behind the financial
position we occupied at this time last
year. The balance of $4,000 which
was in the treasury on the first of Jam
uary is now practically gone, and
money will be needed to meet the cur
rent expenses and the incoming cou-
pons on the city bonds
The subject was referred to The
finance committee.
a communication OF Mr.. E. S. Lead
beaten. sent in by the fire wardens,
suggesting that the safety of tho city
required a new engine, was read. He
thought it should be located in the
house on Royal street, formerly occu-
pied by the Hydraulion Company. The
subject was referred.
MIR. Birrell introduced an amend
ment to the license law Sc as to forbid
the sale OF fish unless the sellers took
cut license for an entire year. Mr..
Birrell explained that many Alexan
dra fish merchants paid a license tax
!or o whole year although The fish bust
ness was mainly confined to three
months Of the year. H0boes from
Washington cana here, and taking out
u three months license only, pursued
the business. He did not think this
was fair.
Mr.. Uhler did not believe that the
Commissioner Of the Revenue had any
right to grant fish license for less than
whole year.
Mr.. Birrell- But nc does grant them.
The subject was referred to the COM
mttee on finance.
When the committee on streets re-
ported in favor of allowing the Western
Union Telegraph Company to place
poles on King street so as to allow the
removal of its cflice 10 Ring street near
Fairfax,
Mr.. Uhler said he had never seen any
removal Of wires from King street
as Was agreed upon when pei
nit was given to place the cables
on the King street poles. Now,
however, two or three cables had been
extended on the poles yet none Of the
wires had been renewed. Oa some
parts of King street y few boards only,
extending from pole to pole, would DE
needed to mnkea fence at the sidewalk.
Mr.. Smith said no addition n poles
would be put up. Wherever q new
pole was put up an old one would be
taken down.
Mr.. Uhler said that if the city was
allowed to use the poles for electric
light wires ne saw no objection to grant
ing the right.
The report OF tie committee was
agreed to.
Mr.. Smith introduced resolution
directing that the S3, 0S0 received from
the refund OF the direct az be used IN
the extension OF forty foot wide street
roadway on Washington street, north
ward from Queen to Pendleton street.
The subject was referred.
MIR. Smith called up the ordinance
for paving King street from Fairfax to
ROYAL. and said that he believed the
plan proposed By the committee was
the only feasible one.
Inquiry was made as to whether the
direction OF Council that more bind
ing contract be made with the property
holders had been complied with.
AIr. Smith responded that the City
Attorney thought this contract sutf-
Gent.