Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-04-26
AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.

to a special committee consisting of
MIR. Greene and Mr.. Beach on the part
of the Common Council.
The Aldermen disagreed with this
and committee of conference was ap'
pointed to report at the next meeting.
When an ordinance in the shape OF a
resolution came in from the Aldermen
(yeas 6, noes o. to give the committee
on streets power to carry on the work
begun by the late city engineer, clean
streets, &C., until the appointment of q
new engineer,
Mr.. Greene said that this would be
limited to very few days as. notwith-
standing the Mayors declaration, the
law required the election of city engi-
neer in May.
MIR. Snowden was not prepared for
this. He did not know whether there
was anything behind the resolution or
not. Dillon on Corporations was EN-
phetic that any city law not in pursu
ance of the charter was void, and he
did not know what might come behind
in the shape of suits growing out OF the
vesting In the committee on streets
powers which the law did not confer
upon them. If appointments were to
be made he did not think the commit
tee had such power and believed that
under the charter appointing power
was vested in the Mayor alone.
Mr.. Smith knew of nothing behind
the resolution-nothing except The
street committee. The work was need
ed to be done. The committee had
always done it in connection with the
engineer. The committee was not will
to 90 on unless they had specific eu-
thority from the Council.
Mr.. Snowden said that anything uD-
necessary was useless. If the commit
tee had been in the habit of doing this
work there was no need Of further ac-
ton by the Council.
Mr.. Greene insisted that the pro-
posal was an ordinary and reasonable
one. The work had to be done, it was
the function of the street committee 10
do it. Why stop them from cleaning
streets or finishing up jobs?
Mr.. Smith did not believe that any
member Of the committee was willing
to 90 ahead without the authority o.
the City Council. Mr.. Curtin had
brought the resolution into the Alder
men and Mr.. Smoot had urged him Il
introduce it.
Mr.. Snowden said his only objec'
was to protect the city and if the reso-
luton was necessary he would not OPP
pose it.
The resolution was then agreed to.
Mr.. Greene introduced an ordinance
requiring the Washington, Alexandra
and Mount Vernon Railway Company
TO keep conductor on each of its cars
during the running hours, so that there
may be at all times, when the cars are
running within the corporate limits OF
Alexandria, proper person on each
Car as conductor and manager. This
ordinance, he said, is in accordance
with a recent decision of the Court OF
Appeals. The matter went TO the gen
eral laws committee.
The bill of Health Officer Julian T
Miller for 1907 so, for services rendered
incident to smallpox, was returned Il
The council without action by the claims
committee; the matter was recommii-
ted to the committee for the purpose OF
securing an opinion from the corpora
ton attorney on the claim.
Mr.. Strider introduced the subject Of
allowing the electric railway to rent
power for fans and machines. He in
troduced resolution for the purpose.
1t appeared that the five years Franchise
Of the company to grant permits ex
PRED some time ago.
Mr. Snowden asked what advantage
the city got from this grant. He thought
that these franchises should be paid for.
Mr.. Greene was of the same opinion.
Mr. Smith responded that the railway
company made nothing worth talking
about. The needs of the community
require its use, and now ten or more
persons wanted to use the power for
fans, &c.
Mr.. Strider urged speedy action; four
or five druggists had tonight - soda
fountains charged and THAR fans in
p'"css Why stop them from doing
business
The subject was referred by vote Of
yeas IL, nays 4.
No other business called out either
explanation or debate.