Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-04-25
City Council.

The report of the committees on
finance and public property recommend
ing an appropriation of SO. 500 for the
purchase of an additional steam f'e en-
CINE, received from the lower board at
the last Meeting, was read.
Mr.. Simpson called attention to the
fact that the Common Council had
adopted the report on the night it was
submitted to them, which ia not in &C
cordance with an act OF the General As
sembly
President Sweeney made the same OBJ
serva,ion The report should have been
laid over 10 both boards, as the appro-
priation was in excess OF 81, 900.
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney said he WIS salts
fed that All error had been made, aud
suggested that the Aldermen appoint a
committee of conference.
Mr.. Hill said the communication Of
the Fire Wardens had been read and re-
ferred TO the committees and their re-
ports had been received; hence the COM
munity had had sufficient notice. He
failed to see how any law had been
violated.
President Sweeney said no Iaember OF
the board was opposed to the apprOprla-
ton, but Mr.. Simpson had called At
tention to the fact that the report of the
committee had not passed through legal
channels. The report should have been
laid over by the Common Council.
Mr.. Marbury said a number Of mea'
sures making appropriations had been
passed on the night of their introduce
ton, notably some for street improve
meDtS.
President Sweeney replied that he had
recently returned measures to the lower
board which that body had passed on
the night of their introduction and he
cited rs instances the ordinances provid-
ing for paving on Lee street. He read
from the acts of the General Assembly
which provide that measures appropriat.
ing over 81 900 shall not be passed by
other board on the night of their intro
duclion.
Mr.. Simpson gave succinct history
of the matter before the board, and re-
ierred to the law governing the same.
Mr.. Hill moved hat the Aldermen
non-concur in the action OF the Common
Council and ask committee OF confer
ente. This motion was adopted and
Messrs. Hill and Simpson appointed on
It Tie rofiKaH onf
subs quenily reported that a conference
hid been held with committee from
The other board and that il had been
agreed to return the report to the Com
mon Council. 1t later was passed by
the lower board and sent to the Alder
men where it was laid over until the
next meeting.
Mr. Simpson presented petition OF
f. l.. Allen for permission to extend a
porch on his premi-e', northwest cor
ner King and Washington streets.
several ques ions were asked concern
ing the purpose of the retilipner all Of
which were answered satisfactorily, after
which the permission was granted.
The Aldermen received a number Of
papers from The Common Cp1ncil an !
cOncurred in their action on the sane.
An ordinance providing for advertis-
Ing for bids r furnishing electricity 10
the city, passed by the Common COun-
cil, Was read the second time.
Mr VIM. II Sweeney, member OF
The j)inL committee which had favOrably
reported the ordinance, ssked when the
committee meet, RS he was not present,
nor had he received any notice OF a
meeting
President Sweeney asked if the Cor.
poralion Attorney had been present at
the meeting. 1t appearing that he bad
not, the President called attention To the
fact that when The ordinance WAS before
the board at previous meeting be had
insisted when it yas r, ierred to the COM
miuees that The Corporation Attorney be
present at their meeting.
Mr.. Burke said the ordinance bad
been drawn up by the Corporation At
tOrney.
The pr, sident replied tina it had been
drawn mp by the lrner Corporation
Attorney (lIr Bootleg, not the present
law officer OF the city. Mr.. Fisher
When the latter WIS II member Of the
Aldermen and the same ordinance was
tef9re The board he was Of the opinion
that Ger ain sections we're uaconstitu'
liOnal
Mr.. Simpson said he had listened to
the reading ofthe ordinance aud believed
that every possible safeguard had been
anticipated and provided for
President Sweeney (Mr Curtin in the
chain said the board must remember
that should this ordinance be adopted il
would form the basis of the contract with
parties for furnishing electric light to the
city. Il could not be altered lateri hence
care should be taken. The ordinance
was now on its second reading. The
speaker called attention to section 4,
which provides for the city digging
trenches should it at any time become
necessary TO place electric wires under
ground. He asserted that this section
was not in the original ordinance.
Mr. w. II. Sweeney-"li was not
inserted by the committees"
President Sweeney then called atten-
ton to another section referring to the
action of the city should The contractors
fail to carry out their stipulations. The
property would have to be bought by
the city which had 40 money 10 put up
n desirable plant. In other words, should
the venture prove Improbable the plant
would be thrown back upon the city.
Mr.. Burke said the city would only
pay the appraised value OF the same.
Mr.. Simpson recalled the fact that
Mr. G. L. BcOthe, when Corporation
a L. 81 lo.alsI.,