Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-10
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Both Branches ofOounon RerEnact Ordinance
Vetoed by Mayor.
Matters of Business of Routine Char
acter Disposed of-GeneraI
and Personal News.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. TT King Street.
Bel TelenhOne No. 1N6.

No. III King Street.
Bell Telephone No. 1905,
ALEXANDRIA, Va, May 10, 1899.
At the regular semi monthly meeting of
the city council, held last night, little bust
ness was transacted. but the lengthy dis
cussion INDUCED in protracted the session
until almost IL o'clock. An error was dis
covered and corrected In the minutes of
the previous meeting Mr.. Uhlers name
having been recorded affirmatively In the
vote to authorize the city to borrow $40 600
MIR. uhler stated that he had voted against
the ordinance as amended.
A message from Mayor Simpson was re-
ceived. in which the chief executive vetoed
an ordinance recently passed by council au-
ouorizahg the street committee to take
charge OF all street improvements pend
ing, anu to have control of all pay rolls
IN connection with such improvements.
The veto was received by the board of
aldermen first, where 1t occasioned much
discussion. In his paper Mayor Simpson
criticised the form of the ordinance. stating
that II commenced as simple resolution
and ended as an important ordinance In
reference to the term "etc - used in the
ordinance, it was stated that while the
state supreme court had decided that II
meant nothing, yet would probably be a
source of error to city employees not yersed
IN legal matters.
AS to section two Of the ordinance Mayor
simpsons opinion was that 1t gave too
much scope to the committee, empowering
1t to have supervision of street nav rolls
Attention was called to the fact, also, that
this was the function of the city engineer,
a bonded officer, while a committee was
without liabilities Another reason which
the mayor presented for his veto was that
the measure was unnecessary.
The ordinance was sustained by the al
dermen by vote of 5 to g.
When 1t reached the lower body Mr..
Green spoke against Mayor Simpsons veto
Mr.. SnoWden advised cautious procedure
and several other members gave their
views. The vote when finally taken result
ed . to in favor of the original ordinance.
Other Business Transacted.
A resolution, introduced by Mr.. Snowden,
authorizing the mayor to appoint Mr.. VIM.
B. Corse acting city engineer until August
l, was adopted.
A favorable report was made by the
finance committee, and adopted, on the
petition of the heirs of the late Dr. VIM.
Harper for reduction of taxes.
The annual tax ordinance was received
and recommitted to the finance committee.
An ordinance was passed extending for
twelve months the franchise of the Wash
irgton, Alexandria and Mt. Vernon railroad
for supplying city merchants with electric
power to operate fans and motors.
petition of Mr.. Rudolph Robey, for per
mission to repair his frame residence, No.
315 South Columbus street, was granted.
A petition from Mr.. Peter F. Hall for per-
mission to repair d gutter on Patrick street
between Oronoco and Pendleton streets, the
city to bear expenses not exceeding $40,
was granted.
petition from the Postal Telegraph
Company for reduced taxes was referred
to the finance committee.
resolution directing the committee on
public properly to estimate the cost of "a
painting the market building referred
to that committee. A resolution directing
the committee on light to remove from the
country market the two electric lights
which now supply it was also referred.
An ordinance directing thecSouthern Rail-
road Company TO keep fiagman at Oro-
noco and Henry streets was passed
Mr.. Greene introduced an ordinance,
which was adopted, directing the appoint
ment of a special committee to investigate
and ascertain If any member or members
of the city council had contracted with
that body for pecuniary considerations.
Messrs. Greene and Uh1er were appointed
by the common council and Havener and
Curtin by the board Of aldermen.
Invited to Washington.
Maj William NJ. Smith, late surgeon of
the Sd Virginia Regiment Of Volunteers,
has received a .etter from the national
peace jubilee headquarters in Washington
requesting the presence of the Alexandria
military company at the opening of the
jubilee exercises the 23d instant. Capt.
James e. King of the company stated this
morning that under existing conditions II
will be Impossible for his command to ac-
cept.
AS before stated, the company is without
equipment, and has not yet been mustered
into the state militia. Should the muster
ing in take place in time 1t is probable the
organization will participate in the jubilee
exercises
General and Personal.
The regular monthly meeting of the
board of fire wardens was held last even
ing only routine business being transacted.
1t is stated that the wardens have tenn
porariy postponed the matter of substitute
ing hose carriages to be drawn by two
horses for the one-horse wagon now in use
by the department.
Preparations for the confederate mem
orial day exercises, the Oath instant, are
in progress. Invitations have bean sent to
the various city organizations to attend,
and 1t Is expected that the occasion will be
up to the standard in interest. Several
customary features will probably be omit
ted from this years program, however
such the parade of the t1remen and
militia.
AS stated in The Star, several citizens of
this city and Alexandria county left here
last evening and this morning for the Rich
mOnd convention.
The city registration books for the COM
ing election May %, are open today.
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