Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-01-09
CITY COUNCIL.


rs had been anticipated by some, and
those who attended with an appetite
for such scenes went away dissp.
pointed. There was. however, some lit.
tie animation on one occasion In the
lower board. Considerable business
was presented, most of which was re-
ferred to committees. An ordinance
compelling the electric railway to pay
into the city treasury the sum OF 81 900
per annum for the use OF Royal street
was passed by the Common Council,
but laid on the table In the Board OF
Aldermen. A resolution providing for
an additional member of the committee
on streets was also passed by the Com
mon Council, but laid on the table By
the Aldermen.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen, except Mr.. Bal
lenger, the President. were present.
Mr.. VIII. Sweeney moved that Mr..
Curtin be elected President pro TEN.
and the clerk having put the question
he was elected unanimously.
Mr.. Dobie introduced an ordinance
compelling the Washington, Alexan-
dris and Mount Vernon Railway Com
pany to pay annually into the city
treasury the sum OF 81 800 for period
which was left blank In the ordinance.
Mr.. Hill thought the blank should
be filled by inserting for period OF 20
years.
Mr.. w. Ii. Sweeney asked what had
become of an ordinance recently before
the board which fixed the term at 10
years. This had been voted down al
q recent meeting :,
MIR. Hill said railway companies had
perpetual charters for the use OF streets
in some Virginia cities. 10 others they
had the use of them for so and in some
instances 80 and 25 years. He favored
the minimum In Alexandria.
Mr.. w. H. Sweeney said had such q
provision been in the original charter
no objection would probably have been
made, but now the company was using
Royal street, and 1t would be unfair to
other taxpayers to enter into contract
with the railway company for any
period of time.
Mr.. Curtin suggested that the ordi'
nance should be referred to q commit
tee.
Mr.. Hill-"It has been before the
committees on general laws, streets
and finance recently"
Mr.. Dobie called attention to the fact
that the passage OF the ordinance would
bring 81 900 year additional revenue
to the city.
Mr.. Hill spoke to the same purpose,
and said had q similar ordinance ne
presented last fall (Which would have
been accepted by the railway company
been passed the company would by
this time have owed the city about
$500.
Mr.. w. q. Sweeney said had the
company continued to pay the same
rate of taxation as they did at first
there never would have been any move
on the part of Council to make them in
crease it.
Mr.. Hill called attention to the fact
that the company was now enjoying
perpetual lease of King street without
paying any additional sum.
Mr.. W. H. Sweeney replied by say
ing that Council could repeal the King
street charter at any time, but unfortu-
nately there was no repeating clause In
the charter granting the use OF Royal
street. He reiterated his objections to
the ordinance. The proper way to i'm
pose taxation was year by year and not
to enter into any contract with GER
tain corporation by which its rate oil
taxation would not vary.
Mr.. Marbury said 10 his opinion should
q new Council undertake to change the
figures after such an ordinance were
passed law suit would result.
Mr.. Curtin said the ordinance might
20 through Council provided it was re-
ferred to committee and conference
with the railway officials held.
Further discussion followed, when
Mr.. Dobie asked permission to with
draw the ordinance, which was granted.
At this juuoture resolution was re-
ceiyed from the Common Council in.
creasiug the membership OF the COM
mittee on streets from four to five
the additional member to come from
the Common Council. The resolution
was introduced on December IL and
referred to the committee on streets.
Several weeks ago q similar resolution
had been laid on the table by the Al
dermep.
Mr.. Hill moved to lay this resolution
on the table. He said lite purpose was
to throw a man (Mr. Dobie) out OF his
place as 40 employee of the city. The
committee now consisted OF four and
the deliberations were conducted har-
moniously. The resolution had been
brought into Council by Councilman
from the Fourth ward through person
al motives only, he having bad some
difference with Mr.. DoOie. That was
all there was In 1t.
Mr.. J. T. Sweeney asked If the COM
mlttee could throw man out of his
place.
Mr.. Hill said the street workmen
we're generally appointed by the City
Engineer on recommendation OF the
committee. OF course the City Engi-
neer was the only one who could APP
point.
Mr.. J. L. Sweeney was averse to any
legislation which had for its end any
such object as had been stated By Mr..
Hill. He did not believe 10 such pro-
cedure; but he had understood that the
resolution had all entirely different pur.
port. He had been told that the OBJ
jsct OF the increase was to obtain a
quorum of the committee. As 1t stood
now when two members were absent
at q committee meeting no business
could be transacted. With the addi-
tional member three would be quorum
and business could be expedited. The
committee on light consisted OF five
members and business was 10 doubt IA
cilitated by that fact. He would not
vote for the resolution for the purpose
of carrying out its alleged object, but
yyould favor IL for what ne had been