Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-10-12
City Council.

A large volume of business was before
the City Council last night. MOST OF u,
boweyer was of routine nature. Inc
suh;ect wh;ch attracted most interest was
rho ordinance concerning the disposition
IF the electric light plant. This meas
20 was sidetracked for four weeks.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Seven Aldermen were present.
Mr.. Marbury, from the committee on
streets, submitted report on resolu-
ton inquiring into the cost of construct
ing a pavement in front of the Peabody
school building and recommending an
expenditure of $75 for the purpose. The
report was adopted by unanimous
vote.
Mr.. Marbury also submitted favora-
BILE report on resolution appropriating
800 for an extention of the Columbus
street sewer upon petition OF Chas. ii.
Davis. This was also adopted.
Mr.. Curtin explained the need of the
extention.
A favorable report was also submitted
by Mr.. Marbury on resolution appro-
prIating $3.50 for extending the sewer
from Henry street IN the alley north of
Duke street to Patrick.
He made succinct statement OF the
benefit which would result from the
extension. The report was adopted.
Mr.. Marbury submitted an ordinance
regulating the grade of Patrick street
from the south side of Gibbon street to
the corporation line, which was adopted
by unanimous vote.
Mr.. Hill introduced resolution re-
questing the City School Board to sub
nit to Council an estimate of the addi-
ticnal cost of conducting the public
schools ten months during the present
school year. He stated that the schools
should be continued as during former
years, and gave sundry reasons why the
extra appropriation should be made. The
resolution was adopted.
The Common Council returned the
ordinance in reference to the grade Of
south Patrick street, that board having
referred the ordinance to the committee
on streets. The Aldermen adhered to
their action aud appointed Messrs.
Marbury and w. H, Sweeney committee
of conference. They subsequently re-
ported that the Common Council would
in all probability concur in the action
of the Board of Aldermen by passing
the ordinance.
Mr.. Marbury stated that he had re-
Gently introduced a resolution looking
tn the erection of smallpox hospital.
The resolution had been referred. Cold
weather would soon be upon us and the
need of the building realized. He re-
ferred to the fact that hundreds of men
are now at work near this city, and con-
tagious diseases would doubtless pre-
vail during the winter.
Mr.. Burke said the committee on gen.
eral laws had not organized. They
would consider the matter at an early
day.
After concurring in the action of the
Common Council on number OF papers
the Aldermen adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board was called to order at 1850
O'Clock. All the seats except one were
filled.
The finance and light committees re-
ported an ordinance providing for the
lease of the franchise for electric light
and power and the sale of the plant to
G. f. Thompson, as heretofore published.
When the bill was on its second reed
ing Mr.. Spinks offered an amendment
requiring bond of 81, 900 to prevent the
successful bidder from throwing up the
contract. He said the ordinance re-
quired bond of $40, 900 to be given in
thirty days, but in the meantime the
person receiving the ontract might sell
the franchise from the block or might
throw it up, and in the event of the lat
ter the city would again be put to the
expense of advertising for bids.
Mr.. Bryan defended the provisions of
the ordinance, and contended that the
city would stand to lose absolutely
nothing. He called attention to the
fact that $40, 600 is offered for the fran
chise, SO, 500 for the old plant, which,
he claimed, is worth less than ; 900
now il an incandscent plant is to be in.
stalled, and the bidder agrees to pay the
city annually 10 per cent. of the gross
receipts, the revenues from this source
to be not less than 81, 900 per annum.
The amendment was lost by vote of
7 to8.
The ordinance was then read third
time.
Mr.. Bryan urged the passage, saying
that whatever might be the best if the
city were able to build anew light plant,
the present plan was the best possible
now, because the city had reached the
limit of debt which it could make under
the constitution.
Mr.. Williams regretted that he was
not more familiar with the subject. He
saw several objections to the ordinance
and suggested that the matter 60 over
until the younger members could famll-
iarize themselves with the subject.
Mr.. Spinks opposed the ordinance as
inmimical to the public interests, and con-
tended that a special debt for special
purpose was authorized by the constitu-
ton and that special bonds might be is
sued.
Mr.. Strauss was opposed to selling any
of the municipal franchises to outsiders.
To sell the electric franchise would be
to make the gas plant Improbable. He
was opposed to it. g..
Mr.. Helimuth wanted to know what