Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-10

Mr.. Birrel! said that although the
bills were not legal yet the committee
wished to do justice and pay these doc
tors something for their work.
Mr.. Smith.-These gentlemen are not
applicants and not paupers. l look
upon them IS high toned gentlemen.
Mr.. Birrell.-High priced gentlemen
Mr.. Smith argued with vehemence
in favor of paying the physicians and
quoted the action of the Health Officers
proceedings at Cripple Creek, at Rich
mond, Portsmouth aud Manassas, as
sustaining the rights Of the Health OF
fcer.
After further argument by Mr.. Biz
rell, Mr.. Greene and others,
Mr.. Uhler said he would withdraw
his report and let the committee on
claims take charge of the whole matter.
The chair held that this could
not be done at this time as the report
was now fully before council and vote
was pending upon itsadoption.
Ali other pending matters having
been settled, the report of the commit
tee on finance was adopted, yeas 9,
nays 6
The chair asked if any measure was
proposed to stop this enormous and
needless outlay of public money.
Mr.. Brill asked if DR.. Klipstein, DR..
German, DR.. Smith and others had
been paid and if any outside parties
had been paid 124 cents for vaccinatiug.
Mr.. Trimyer said these bills had been
paid because signed by both the Mayor
and the Health Officer under the au.
thorty of a previous resolution OF
Council.
Mr.. Greene said he had in his posses
sion the report of the special committee
which he would bring to Council and
have published, if necessary, showing
the whole of the facts in these cases.
MIR. Smith said he wished Mr.. Trim
yer would tell him what was the price
of disiniecting house.
Mr.. Trimyer said the cost was s.,
but that he had no interest in the mat
ter.
Mr.. SMITH know that your name
does not appear.
Mr. Trimyer said each house cost IS
and the bills for disinfecting had been
endorsed by both the Mayor and the
Health Officer
Considerable discussion occurred, and
at last Mr.. Greene asked what measure
vas before the house.
The chair said nothing was before the
house, but that this body had been re-
quested to remain in session to await a
paper from the Aldermen.
q recess was taken.
After some time the ordinance for
preventing the spread OF the smallpox
was received from the Aldermen with
an amendment.
The chair sustained 4 point that the
amended ordinance could not be con-
sdered at this meeting.
Mr.. Snowden said that before ad
iourDment some measure should be
taken to stop the enormous expendi-
lures now being made. The cost OF
food, clothing, fuel, &C., for alleged
sick people had risen to over six thou
sand dollars, but only $12 for medicine
had been spent. The patients" in
many instances were being better fed
aud clothed than ever before in their
ives-all at the city's expense-and but
lew are said to be SICK.
Mr.. Greene moved that after twelve
o'clock tonight the auditor be directed
10 10 pay any further sum in relation
to the smallpox.
Mr.. Smith ironically moved that all
the physicians and guards be dis.
charged.
Mr.. strider opposed any precipitate
action which would open the smallpox
houses and ALLOW the patients to 90
anywhere.
The resolution vas lost by rising
vote
MIR. Birrell introduced a resolution
shat the City Council does not recog-
nize the right of any one to contract
debts for the city unless in pursuance
o. an order of the City Council and by
virtue of an appropriation.
Mr Smith-In case any one is taken
with smallpox, will you call council
together to make en- appropriation
Mr. Brrell replied that all contin-
gences of that kind could be provided
for under existing laws.
Mr.. Uhler stated that the City Coun-
Gil had authorized the Mayor and
Health Officer to stamp out smallpox,
but that their power should be limited
as to the expenditure OF money.
The Chair said his wish was to stop
the eXh0rbitant expenditures now 60
ing Oh; that under the act of council OF
January q last, which directed the
Mayor and Health Officer to take the
necessary steps 10 stamp out the dis
ease, all had worked we'll till the break
between these officers occurred. 1t
was too late now to discuss the cause
OF this break, but certainly it had oc.
Cured and since then things had seem
ed to run wild. He then introduced
an order directing that the auditor
draw no warrants for smallpox cases
except those drawn in accordance with
the resolution of January a last, and
that the Mayor and Health Officer be
requested to use the utmost economy
in contracting bills for such cases here
after.
After debate the resolution was
amended so as to require the approval
of Health Officer Miller and Mayor
Simpson OF all bills contracted for
small. pox cases and as amended was
unanimously passed.
The board at 9:45 o'clock adjourned
a MARROW EscAPE.-Fifty people
narrowly escaped death last night in
an accident to Halstead electric car
at North Halstead street bridge, Chi
cago. Approaching the bridge at
ru1,iN rafn of cnnnd Tho rnntnrpnnu IL