Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-13

spectators appeared.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Seven Aldermen were present, ana
the business transacted occasioned but
little debate.
Mr.. Hill presented petition from +
Mertens for the lease of the gas works
aud electric light plants for term OF
fifty years at an annual rental OF 80.
600, the petitioner offering to furnish
arc lights to the city at $50 each, gas
for illumination at 81 20 per 1000 feet
and for other purposes at the rate Of
81 per 1000. The petitioner is pre-
pared to keep up the plants and renew
mains when needed.
Mr.. Hill said the matter was im-
| portant and should be inquired into
| Immediately. He favored the appoint
mept of a committee of 6ve-two from
the Board of Aldermen and three from
the Common Council-to consider the
petition and report to Council IS soon
! as practicable.
Mr.. Balleuger was opposed to any
| movement which would take the gas
works out of the hands of the city, ar d
contended that the city could and
should make arrangements to furnish
gas as chesply as private corporations
as we'll as electricity to all who wanted
it. He urged that the city should con-
troll these plants. If anything was to
be made the city should make it. He
would not vote for LEASE of the works.
Mr.. Hill eaid he bad no idea of dis
posing of the works, but he thought
Mr.. Mertens's petition should be duly
weighed in order to put things in mo-
ton so that people who desired electric
light could have it. The fact that the
petitioner could pay $4,000 year for
the rent of these plants and furnish
light at the prices named was signih-
cant, and if he could afford to make
such aD offer the city should be able at
least to compete with him.
MIR. CLARK said The report of the
| clerk OF gas showed that the works
were self-sustaining, while people were
every day asking for electricity. Alex
andria, he thought, was much behind
the times, and compared the city with
Winchester, where any one could gel
electric light. He favored taking the
! bull by the horns at once.
Mr.. Dobie favored the petition, and
believed it was the most advantageous
offer the city had ever received. There
was chronic trouble with the gas
works, and the acceptance of the prop.
osi;ion would end it all.
Mr.. Ballenger again urged his objec'
tons TO such procedure, and suggest.
ed that the city could produce an cleo.
trio plant of much greater capacity than
that now owned at much less than was
charged ten years ago when it was put
10. The city could, he believed, fur.
nish arc lights at less than $50 piece
Mr.. w. b. Sweeney thought the pc.
tition should be referred TO the com
mirtee on light.
Mr.. Hill insisted that it should be re-
ierred to special committee and sub.
mitted a resolution to that effect, which
was adopted, and that gentleman AND
Mr.. W. 81. Sweeney were appointed or
the part of the Aldermen.
The opinion was expressed by several
that if the city were unable or not dis.
posed to furnish electric light it should
not deprive people of its use if others
could meet the want.
A number OF papers which had been
acted upon by the Common Council
were subsequently, received and their
action concurred in.
Mr.. W. n. Sweeney presented re-
solution, which was adopted, providing
that when Council adjourned it be to
meet on the second Tuesday in January
1900.
The report of the finance committee
recommending an appropriation of SlOO
to Mr.. ]. Chris Gill for services as
Waterman in the City Hall Building
| for the year beginning January /, 1900,
was received from the Common Coun-
Gil, thai board having adopted it.
Mr.. Clark was at first opposed to
concurring in their action, be contend
ing that Mr.. Gill earned 5000 a year,
| the amount he had asked for. He.
however, subsequently withdrew his
| objections, and the Alderman concur
red in the action of the lower board.
Mr.. Clark said he mad been asked by
a number of merchants to present a re-
solution allowing the electric railway
company to furnish them with electric
lights during the holiday season. He
presented resolution which was pass
ed, Mr.. Curtin, however, voting in the
negative.
Mr.. Snovden, from the lower board,
appeared in the chamber and apnounc.
ed that the Common Council was ready
TO adjurn, and the Alderman having
nothing further to consider adjourned
COMMON COUNCIL.
a communication from the Mayor
recommending the establishment of q
night school, supported by municipal
appropriations, was read and referred
to the committees on finance and
schools.
The finance committee reported in
favor of an appropriation of 500 to the
ianitor of the market building for ser
vices as night Waterman, and the re-
port was adopted.
Bills of Messrs. Lawler, Moore and
Duncan, members of the electoral
board, amounting to SIT, were ordered
to be paid, and an order was made for
tax sale deed to the Portner Brewing
Company.
The Auditor reported that the appro-
priation for pumps and repairing
streets had been exhausted and the
communication was referred to the
finance committee.