Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-10
Mr.. smoot urged the adoption of the

MIR. Ballenger seconded MIR, Swee-
ney's motion to recommit, but the mo-
ton was lost-ayes, Messrs. Ballenger,
Sweeney and Mr.. President; noes,
Measrs. Havener, Hinken, Curtin and
Smoot.
The motion to adopt the report was
then lost for want Of constitutional
maiority-ayes, Messrs. Havener,
Hinken, Curtin and Smoot; nays,
Messrs. BaIlenger, Sweeney and MIR.
President.
This virtually laid the report on the
table, and Mr.. Sweeney said he having
voted on the prevailing side would
move a reconsideration if the other Al
dermen desired the recommittal OF the
report. This was demurred to.
Some further collOquy followed after
the matter had been disposed CT, in
which Mr.. Sweeney said that so far as
the Health Officers power 20 contract
bills was concerned he, by the resolu-
ton of Council, was vested with the
same powers of the Mayor in his pro-
cedures.
A resolution was received from the
Common Council directing the Auditor
in future to draw his warrants for no
bills in connection with smallpox cases
unless attested by the Health Officer
and the Mayor, also that these officials
be directed TO be as economical as pos
sible in such expenditures.
The board then adjourned.
COlt,foN COTrNCT
Mr.. John H. Strider was called to
the chair at the opening Of the council
and most of the seats were occupied.
The message of the Mayor convenipg
the board was read.
Mr.. Snowden, the president, theu
appeared and took his seat.
Dir. Uhler, from the finance commit
tee, made an explanation OF the reason
which had caused the finance commit
tee to ask for meeting OF council. H.
said that the committee had found tha'
some OF the appropriations had beer
exhausted and recommended the fol
lowing additional: Fire department.
800; outdoor poor, $500; poor anG
work house, $3.50; fire plugs, $3.50; clean
ing streets, $3.50; repairing streets, $500
-iu ell $3.50. These appropriations,
said, do not include the bills for small
pox cases. He said the fiscal year
started with q deficit; we owe the
school board $4,000. having paid 81 500
The treasury of the city was practically
empty. There was enough money to
serve until next Tuesday night, but
then it might be necessary to ask per
mission to borrow money. He read
hills presented for smallpox supplies
81 for UNDERGRADUATE for one coloreG
man; SO. II for food and $3.50 for fuel
for another, furnished in thirteen days
These expenditures were all exhorbi-
| taDt.
Mr.. White said that very few color
ed people usually wore shirts costing
more than % cents,
The motion to make tine appropria
tons recommended by the committee
was adcpted-yees u, nays 0.
Air. Greene moved to adjourn, but
withdrew the motion.
The finance committee then reported
on the following bills Of physicians:
Or. Miller. $456.40; DR.. Quacken-
/ bush, $50 30; DR.. Jones, $73; Dr.. Thos
Gibson, $l17.75; DR.. Suowden, sos %;
DR.. Mcclure, SIC; Dr.. II. P. Howard,
! $50.
i The committee reported in favor Of
paying Dr. Miller $3.50 % and the 9th
ers one half OF their bills. Ia making
this report the committee stated that
they do not acknowledge the legal
obligation of the city to pay any OF the
oils.
Mr.. Greene asked why the commit
tee had cut the bills in half.
Mr. Uhler said the City Council had
purchased $3.50 vaccine points; 1908
had been accounted for; the city had
furnished the material, and he thought
the amount reported was amply suf-
fcient for the time spent BY the doc
tors.
Mention was made of the large
amounts of food charged for in the bills
for smallpox patients.
The chair said the disease seemed 10
increase the appetite of the patients.
An item appeared for the expenses of
caring FOR horse, when the question
was asked if the horse also. bad small
pox.
Mr.. Greene moved to refer the bills to
the committee on claims and they
might throw additional light on the
question.
MIR. Uhler did not see how any
further light could be given. All the
matter was on record.
Mr.. Greene said that the committee
on claims bad never had an opportun-
ty to DO any public business. 1t was
al able committee and ought to have
some work to do. He wanted Council
to go slowly in this matter.
Mr.. G. n. Moore was opposed to TAX
ing the matter out of the hands of the
finance committee.
Mr.. Uhler thought the matter could
DOT be reported on more fully and
might be settled tonight: however, he
was perfectly willing that all bills
should 90 to the claims committee.
Mr.. Chair inquired why reserva-
ton was made as to legal rights.
Mr.. Uhler replied that these ply
siciaus might not have any right in the
matter. The Health Officer had never
qualified nor mad the Board OF Health;
SO that they were not officials and had
no right to make contracts for the city.
The committee, however, thought the
doctors should be paid reasonable
sum for their work. 1t was suggested
that the meeting of the Board of Health
had been very expensive one for the
city.
Mr.. Birrell did not think that the
Health Officer and the physicians knew