Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-03-12
would be paid II possible and in no case
n,nra thar mar oant


might be illegal. The present bond |
holders might prevent the issue OF fur
Their bonds which would lessen their |
securities.
Mr.. Bryan explained that the legis-
lature would adjourn next week and 1t
was necessary ID act at once; that was
the reason for asking action tonight. He
thought it would be we'll to let others
than the Council tsst the legality OF the
bonds.
Mr.. Snowden said the legislature
would not adjourn until the 4th OF
April.
Mr.. Bryan urged that no bonds
would be issued ut til the voters sane
toned It,.
Mr.. Paff (Mr. Johnson 10 the cheir)
advocated the passage Of the ordinance
tonight. II was only measure to allow
the voters to direct the Issue Of bonds.
The personnel of the sinking fund COM
mission and finance committee showed
men who were as able and ss much
interested az any one in the Council.
Mr. Snowden and Mr.. Bryan further
discussed the maitsr and Mr.. Snowden
asked II 1t was fair to allow all voters
to vote on a question of levying an sd'
ditional burden on the property
holders.
Mr.. Bryan said 1t was impossible to
draw line.
Mr.. Snowden said the tax books
would show the property owners.
Mr.. Spinks said the expenses of some
of the city departments had doubled
while Mr.. Snowden was president OF
Council. He thought the money
should now 60 to improvements. We
had doubled schools With no more edu-
cation, doubled fire department with
no more protection; DOW we wanted
good streets.
Mr.. Trimyer said the ordinance was
simply a request that the Council be
allowed ID put the question OF the bond
issue before the people ard be was in
favor OF it.
Mr.. Burke opposed the passage OF
the ordinance tonight. He was 10 Ia
vor OF submitting the question to the
freeholders and not to the voters. He
owned no real estate, and under the
ireeholders clause he could net vote but
he did not think he had right to i'm
pose anadditlonal tax on other peoples
I property.
Mr.. Trimyer said that every vote for
a me mber OF the City Council was q
vote to levy taxes on real estate.
Mr.. Burke said ihst was different
case.
The question was further discussed
by Mr.. McCuep, Mr.. Psn and others.
Mr.. Paff urged that If q man could
come to council without owning prop
erty and tax real estate he could do 60
at the polls. To make improvements
money must be had and II the people
wanted to issue the bonds they should
have the right to vote on the question
Mr.. Snowden asked if the committet
had found 1t IS easy so rsise money fol
the city az some members bad said u
would be and Mr.. Bryan said they haC
not. Mr.. Bryan also said that pei
cent. was the lowest rate, 80 far, ths'
could be secured.
The bill was put on the second read
log.
| Mr.. Snowden moved ID make th'
bonds redeemsble alter tan years, anC
ssid that the fuanciers of the commit
tee mad cut of the c tg from paying
the bonds for thirty years even II j
should have an OVERLOOKING treasury.
MIR. Paff said in 1909 the city would
have its hands full when it had TO psy
the bonds that falls due then.
Mr.. Snowden said the city could no.
paw its dett then; 1t would have to re
fund the bonds Notwithstanding the
statements OF the city 6uancers.
| Mr.. Paff: VI went you to understand
that do not consider myself imam
cler but am ss good fnsncier as yor
are.p
|, Mr.. Snowden said be did not doubt 1t
| Mr.. Snowden's amendment was re
iected; yeas nays IL.
Mr.. Burke moved u strike ou
qualified voters" and insert "ire'
| holdersn which was LOT t; yeas 3, nays IL
| Mr.. Snowden moved to strike ou
majority OF each board OF the Cit,,
Counciln and insert "three' fourths,'
which was lost; yeas 4, nays IL.
Mr.. Snowden then moved to strike
out the exemption of the bonds from
taxation.
| Mr.. Spinks asked if city bonds now
existing were taxed by the city.
Mr.. Snowden said they were not
The amendment was rejected; yeas 10
nays l. 900
Mr.. Snowden moved that the bill bt
recommltted which was superseded By
a motion OF Mr.. McCuen, that the
act be put on its passage, which wsi
done and 1t passed; yeas IL, nays 81
Mr.. Snowden not voting.
Mr.. Bryan reported en- ordinance
giving property holders five years /.
paw the assessments one-foult1 an
nually; the notes therefore to be made
liens on the real estate and never I
exceed $4,000 thereon at any on'
time. go,
Mr.. Snowden. "How much 10 ALP
Dir. Bryan replied that there was NJ
means OF determining, but that nevel
more than $50 600 would be outtt1nd
ing at one time.
Mr.. Suowden asked II the new con
stitution OF the State would forbid
special tax on abutting property.
MIR. Bryan replied that the notes
would De a lien under any crcum
stances.
MIR. Snowden and Mr.. Bryan discussed
this question at some length.
Mr.. Uhler asked if the notes glver
we're to be placed on record, saying thai
unless that were done, the sale OF the
property would release it.
Mr. Bryan replied that the tax iler
would remain and the notes would be
double security.
The ordinance passed; yeas IA, nays L
/ NJ 2nondan MT v0finO