Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-22

Mr.. Snowden then called Col. Flick
lin to the chair and submitted report
from the committee on public property
and an ordinance making an appropri-
alton for repairs to the Columbia and
Hydraulion engine houses. He said
that the work was much needed, but
had been postponed until an engineer
could supervise the work. The Hy-
draulion engine house was, 10 the opin-
ion Of the committee, the poorest piece
OF public work ever done in this city.
The report was agreed to and the az
preparation was made.
Mr.. Snowden then resumed the chair
and announced his retirement fro N the
committee on public property, not
wishing to serve on a committee while
the presiding officer of Council. He
said that he felt it his duty to call at
tenton to the fact that Mr.. Strider, ct
the Second ward, had been present b. t
twice since he first OF January, that
he had removed with his family to al
other state, and that in the chairs
opinion vacancy existed in the board
| by reason of Mr.. Strider's absence. He
thought thst no one had right to hold
a seat in Council while living 10 anoth-
or State.
Mr.. Lswler-What is the law on the
subject.
The chair said he did not know.
Mr.. Burke moved that the seat OF
Mr.. Strder be declared vacant.
Mr.. Evans doubted the legality Of
this proposal. A citizen OF Virginia
/ had twelve months to decide whether
he would change his residence.
Mr.. Smith said that this proposal
was to take snap judgment on an alb.
sent member. Why not no ify him
and see where be intends to keep bis
| residence
Mr.. Burke asked what would be the
case If all or q majority of the mem
bers of Council went away and did Doi
attend meetings.
Mr.. Evans said one Alderman from
the Fourth ward had once been absent
during almost his entire term, and no.
thing was said.
The chair said that 1t Was necessary
members should attend to their dutt
and that Council had the right to com
pei the attendance of its members.
Mr.. Smith-How can We compel
man to attend ?
The charlie can be fned for mol =
attendance under the laws.
Mr.. Trimyer said his point was that
the Second ward had only three mem
bers while it was entitled to four.
1t was proposed to refer the subject
t. the Corporation Attorney, but no
. action was taken, the chair stating be
bad done his duty when be called the
attention OF Council to the matter.
The chair then announced the az
pointment OF MIR. Harrison on the CON-
mittee on public property and Mr.. Paff
on the committee on schools in his
place.
Mr.. Triwyer moved to appropriate
800 10 pay for music for the fire de
psrtment which would al tend the Mary
and 6remen's convention and support
ed it with vigorous speech.
Mr.. Evans and Mr.. LAWYER expressed
their concurrence.
Mr.. Lswler ssid Council had given
the sesqui-centennial $500 and the city
had not received one dollars permanent
benefit from that celebration, and he
thought that the fremen should be
given 800. The appropriation was
made.
Mr.. Trimyer introduced solution
for the purchase of street sprinkler
and urged its value to the business
community, especially on King street.
Mr.. Smith said that the street COM
mittee had borrowed a sprinkler from
Alderman Hill ana that the Mutual Ice
Company would furnish water, and
they would give an example OF the
work next Saturday. The subject was
referred.
The Aldermen returned the license
law with an amendment decreasing the
tax on "bucket shops" from $3.50 to
800 per anDum.
II was asked why make any change,
as no "bucket shops" existed here.
Mr.. Smith said the high tax had pre-
vented the city from obtaining any
revenue from that source.
Mr.. Lswler contended that to such
an establishment the tax was Of little
importance.
Council adhered to its former action
and Messrs. Bssder aud Lawler were
4ppointed a conference committee.
They soon returned and reported that
the committee adhered 10 the $3.50
tax and Council adopted their report
The Aldermen then returned the bill
and asked for another conference.
Mr.. Trimyer opposed such action.
A member suggested that courtesy
demanded the granting of the Alder
mems reques.
Mr.. Trimyer said the Aldermen
should not talk of courtesy for they
had recently On two occasions been
very discourteous to Council.
Mr.. Appich said that two wrongs did |
not make right. and after further de.
bate a second conference committee |
(Messrs. Burke and Appicb) was sp-
pointed. They soon returned and re-
ported that they had agreed to fix the |
tax on "bucket shops" at $3.50 and the |
report was adopted.
Council then adjourned till the first |
regular meeting in June.