Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-04-15
CITY COUNCIL.

time last night. Bot one measure was
acted upon-the ordinance authorizing
the issue of SOC, 900 bonds for street and
sewer improvements and for repairs to
the city gas works. The ordinance
was passed by both boards with but
one dissenting vote 10 each-.Mr. Hill
in the Aldermen and Mr.. SDowden 10
the Common Council. The matter will
be- submitted to the qualified votes OF
the city on Thursday, May %. More
than tee usual number OF spectators
were present.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present, and
upon the board being called to order
the President stated that the meetiog
was for the express purpose OF consider
ing the bond bill and that that measure
should be the continuing order OF busi-
ness until disposed OF. He therefore
declared that there was nothing before
the board and that a recess would be
taken. The next hour was consumed
10 conversation while waiting for the
bill which was being considered by the
lower board.
The Messenger of the Common Coun-
Gil finally appeared with the instru'
ment and after it had been read,
Mr.. Hill offered the following amend
meut:
THAT all money derived from the
bonds be spebt on street improve
ments.D
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney said the amend.
ment was out OF order for the reason
that the Legislature had passed the
measure, at the instance OF the City
Council, for a specif, purpose. He
therefore contended that the chair
should net entertain the amendment.
Mr.. Hill could not see how 1t was
out OF order. He supposed more poo
pie were in favor OF street improve
mems 10 Alexandria than anything
else. He had supposed the money
requisite for repairing the gas works
could be derived from the profits from
them.
Mr. Burke said that matter had been
duly discussed by the joint committee,
and it had been agreed that the city
could not spend 1000 Immediately on
the streets, and would therefore use
part OF that sum on the gas works.
Later arrangements for meeting obliga-
tous incurred by street improvements
would be perfected.
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney said the gas
plant could take care Of itself, and the
money expended Oh it would be paid
back to the city. He reiterated the
the ordinance before the board en-
bodied the provisions OF an act pre-
pared by Council and passed by the leRis'
lsture and that ct this stage could moi
be amended. Ii would be necessary to
either pass or reject the ordinance rs
whole.
Mr.. Hill thought that the City Coun'
Gil which prepared the bill had the
power to amend or alter.
President Sweeney thought the bill
should be passed az q whole uGder the
circumstances, but was 10th to rule the
amendment out OF order, prefering that
vote be taken on It.
Mr.. Bsllenger asked thst the chair
rule on the legality of the amendment.
The chair said o meeting OF Council
had been called for a specific purpose,
but he was disposed to allow vote TO
be tiken on the amendment.
Mr.. Hill said he did not want to act
contrary to the wishes of the other
members of the board, but was still OF
the opinion that the Aldermen had the
right to amend TIE ordinance, and
should the chair decide against him he
would appeal from his ruling.
The chair still manifested desire to
allow a vote ID be taken, when
Mr.. Burke arose and said it was the
desire of Council to expeDd the entire
$50.000 eventually upon the streets, but
repeat I'd that oil OF that sum would Dol
be needed immediately for that pur-
pose and while the money would be
lying idle 10 banks it was intended to
use a portion on the gas works.
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney repeated that
the gas plant would take care of Itself;
that ali money over and above Operal-
ing expenses would be turned over TO
the general fund and that the city
would eventually receive all that
would be expended on it.
Mr.. Bslienger-"How is the interest
on these bonds to be paid-by increas-
ing taxes?"
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney replied the pay
ment OF the interest had been antici
psted aud provided for and net by In
creasing taxes, ether.
Mr.. Hill said it might be an essy
matter ID raise money TO repair the gas
works, hut not 80 easy for street i'm
provemeuts.
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney reiterated his
objeciious to tle amendment, saying
t0at should the bill be changed II
would be necessary ID return 1t TO the
Legislature. The committee had dis
guessed all the points raised by Mr..
Hill.
A letter from Mr.. ]. r. Cation, to the
Clerk OF the Common Council, sn-
nouncing that be bad procured copies
OF the act as passed by the Legislature,
and that copy had been placed on the
desk Of each member, was read, after
which the President announced that
after having examined into the mater
more closely be YVES convinced that |
Mr.. Hills amendment was out OF or
der and would so rnle. The matter
was to be submitted ID the qualified |
voters OF the city and If they refused
to vote for the issue Of bonds that
would end the matter.
Mr.. Hill appealed from this decision |
and tle vote stood: For sustaining |
the chair-Messrs. Burke, Ballenger,
Msrbury, Clark, Curtin and w. II.
5weeney-6. Against the decision, Mr..
Hill.
Mr.. Hill then submitted the follow
ing;
Resolved. That the bond issue be