Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-15
CITY COUNCIL.

city officers were elected by joint meet
ing. A recess was taken until the sec
ond Tuesday in October.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present, and
they concurred in the action of the Com
mon Council on all papers sent in.
Resolutions were introduced by
Messrs. Clark and Burke looking to
street improvements. The formers
resolution provided for the repair of
Commerce street from King to West
and a proper surface drainage of upper
King street; Mr.. Burke's resolutions
provided for improvement on Wolle
street. between Lee and Union and on
Wolfe street, between Fairfax and Pitt
Mayor Simpson sent in message
vetoing resolution appropriating S5OO
for gravel; roadway on Alfred street,
between Queen and Princess, and sug-
costing that a cobblestone roadway be
constructed instead to conform with the
northern portion of the street.
The Mayors objections were sustain
ed and the message and resolution re-
ferred to the committee on streets to
consider the Mayors suggestions.
Mr.. Ballengcr introduced resolution
which was adopted providing that when
Council adjourns it be to meet on the
second Tuesday in October next.
The board subsequently repaired to
the chamber of the Common Council for
the purpose of participating in the cleo
ton of officers and upon their return
adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Soon after s o'clock President Paff
called the board to order.
A communication was received from
the Mayor calling attention to certain
acts of the legislature and to the ordi-
nance authorizing the carrying Of fire
engines beyond the city limits to extin-
guish fires in the neighborhoOd, and,
also, in relation to the law requiring
telephone companies to pnt up iron poles
after eight years. He suggests that the
city's interest in these matters be pro-
tected. He also suggests that the appro-
priatiou for the poor be distributed,
without cost, by the associated char
tiles. The recommendations were re-
ferred.
The ordinance providing method for
tapping sewers, &C., was reported.
Mr.. Leadbeater explained that under
the law the uniform tax would be one
dollar per front foot.
Mr.. Snowden inquired how this
tax conformed with the present rule, and
suggested that the sewer assessment be
made in proportion to the tax assess
ment.
Mr. Burke said that the plan adopted
by the committee was the best of those
which had been proposed. He thought
man who could afford to have a large
yard could afford to pay large sewer
tax. He could think of no better plan
than that reported by the committee.
Mr.. Johnson thought the ordinance
ambiguous and unjust. He moved to
amend by taxing according to the front
feet of the house and not the lot.
After further debate the ordinance was
laid on the table by vote of 8 to t.
The committee on finance reported in
favor of appropriating $500 for gathering
and grading Fairfax and Gibbon streets
near their intersection and the report
was adopted.
The committee reported 5000 to be
the cost of sewer on Duke street from
the Catholic rectory alley to Royal street,
and Mr. Burke hoped that the property
holders there would take out permits
sufficient to pay for this sewer.
Z considerable debate occurred as to
whether Col. F. L. Smith should be
allowed to make a sewer from the lear of
his lot down st. Asaph street to the
tan house drain at his own cost, or
the city should build a large sewer and
tax Col. Smith his proportion.
The street committee reported that
they are opposed to granting authority
TO build private sewers and recommend
ed that $400 be appropriated to build a
larger sewer than that contemplated by
Col Smith. The matter was recon-
mitted.
The sum Of 5000 was appropriated to
gravel a 80 feet roadway on Franklin
street from Washington to Alfred
street, and $500 to grade and gravel
St. Asaph street from Duke to Wolfe
street; also 5000 to extend the sewer on
DIXIE from Pitt to St. Asaph street.
The application of the City School
Board for 81, 200 for improvements at
Peabody Building was granted to the
extent of 81, 050
Mr.. johnson and Mr.. McCuen moved
to increase the appropriation to 1880
so as 10 allow the School Board to place
the water closets inside the building.
Mr.. Burke said such course would
make the schools unhealthy and the
closets would have to be taken out.
Mr. Spinks said Mr.. Dunn had told
the committee that the water closets
would be put in new separate building
Mr.. Burke said that closets in the
house might give the children diphtheria
and scarlet fever; was Council prepared
to do this
Mr.. Normoyle suggested that COM
mittee of conference with the school
board be appointed.
The motion to increase was lost, yeas 4,
nays 8, and the report of the committee
was adopted, yeas IL nay Mr.. Nc
Cuen.
The Board of Aldermen sustained the
Mayors veto of the resolution appro-
priating $500 to grade and gravel a
portion of north Alfred street, and !
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