Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-08
CITY COUNCIL.

dabate and a considerable volume OF
business came before the two ooards.
The number of spectators without tne
oars was also above the average.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Seven Aldermen were present Wnen
the board was called to order. Inc
communication from the Mayor giving
his reasons for caliiug the meeting was
read and afterwards message from
mis- honor returning resolution with
ont his approval which provides for the
LAYING of gutter pipes and the repairing
OF the intersection of King and West
streets. The objections of the Mayor
were based upon the fact that the city
at present has no City Engineer TO su-
pervise such work.
Mr.. Dobie said the pipes were the
necessity of the hour, and he did not
thiuk the Mayor understood the ext
gency of the case. he moved that the
rt solution be passed Notwithstanding
the Mayors objections.
Mr.. Ballenger asked ifsuch work was
to be allowed to stand unfinished dur.
ing the recess. He favored Mr.. Dobie's
motion.
Mr.. Marbury asked who would su-
pervise the proposed work in the ab'
sence of a City Engineer.
Mr.. Ballenger replied that the commit
tee on streets were capable OF having
the work doneio satisfactory manner.
An aye and no vote was then taken
on Mr.. Dobie's motion which resulted
in the resolution being passed over the
Mayors veto, as follows; Ayes, Messrs.
Hill, Dobie, Clark, Ballenger, Curtin,
W. ii. Sweeney and Mr.. President-7.
Noes, none.
Mr.. Clark subsequently, offered a
resolution appropriatlng $25 for laying
a gutter pipe at the intersection OF King
and Fsyette streets.
Mr.. J. T. Sweeney had in the mean
time entered the chamber, and after
the resolution had been read be arose
and. alter having had several interro-
gatories answered, said he thought
SUCH work should be done by the COM
mittee on streets under the regular ap
oropristion for street work, and that
no additional amounts should De de.
voted to these minor jobs. This had
been the manner of proceeding hereto
fore.
Mr.. Bsllenger called attention to the
law which provides for the committee
expanding amounts of 500 and under
without asking extra appropriations.
The resolution provided for an outlay
Of $25. 1t was proper, therefore. to ask
Council to appropriate the amount.
Mr. Sweeney said he had no objec-
lion to urgs against the proposed work
provided S25 would prove to be the
correct sum, but it seemed to him care
full estimates Of the cost had not been
! made by the committee on streets.
Mr.. Clark amended his resolution by
inserting after the words twenty. five
dollars ''or as much thereof as may be
necessary"
Mr.. Sweeney said there was but one
conclusion to reach-there is at present
no City Engineer in the city's service.
! All the street work that hss been Or
; dered to be done under the present Or
der OF things was that left undone at
the close of the last fiscal year. The
speaker had understood that the com
mittee would employ az engineer in
the Flashing of such work ii necessary.
and ne had voted for the resolution with
that understanding. 1t was thought that
by this time the city would have an en-
gineer, aa one would be requisite for all
new work ordered by Council. An en-
gineer was an essential to the city. The
taxpayers were protected thereby and
the responsibility of street work taken
from Council, his bond protecting the
city from damage in the case OF trouble
resulting from defective or unsceDti6c
work. He regretted to be placed in his
present position. He was opposing no in
djvidual, and was sincerely sorry Mr..
Corse failed to pass the examination.
He would willingly have voted for him
TO fill the petition of City Engineer.
Council had but one duty before them
now-.and that was to at once elect such
an officer. All trouble would then come
10 an end. Mr.. Sweeney said further
that the Mayor, in sense, did not veto
the street Improvement measures. He
merely withheld his signature until
City Engineer shall have been pro-
cured.
Mr.. Bsllenger asked if the Mayor did
not know all the existing circum'
stances when the street improvement
measures were passed.
Mr.. Sweeney replied that it was un-
derstood that Mr.. Corse was to be em
pioyed as assistant to the committee on
streets.
Mr.. Ballenger-"Then, why can't the
committee employ any one else to as
5ist themP"
Mr.. Sweeney said the committee
knew Mr.. Corse was civil engineer
and believed bis services would prove
satisfactory. He made an exhaustive
statement in connection with the pres
ent order of things concerning street
improvements, and said under the Cir
cumstances he saw no good reason why
so much fault should be found with the
Mayor for his procedure in the pre-
misses.
Mr.. Dobie-"What business are you
talking about, Mr.. Sweeney? The reso-
luton which has been passed over the
Mayors vato, CIR that providing for the
laying of gutter pipe at King and Fay
cite streets?"
Mr.. Sweeney said his remarks con-
cerned the latter. he had no objec
ion to the resolution, but was of the
opinion that the work should be done
under the supervision OF the proper Of
icer, and until an engineer was elected.
Mr.. Ballenger-"Then. every thing
must come 10 a standstill, during the
summer recess?"