Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-07-15
City Council.


By both boards providing that when
Council adjourned it be to meet sgsin
st the call of the presidents of the two
boards.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Considerable business originated in
the Board OF Alderman, but it was all
transacted without discussion and by
unanimous votes. Apart from the pro-
pounding of questions, which were
answered by the chairman of the COM
N ttees who submitted reports, there was
but little colloquisl 10 the proceedings.
The Alderme concurred in the sction
OF the Common Council on all the papers
sent 10 save on the petition of the Alex
andris Light Infantry, Captain F. L..
Slsymaker, for sn appropriation of SOL
for the employment OF the Naval Gun
Factory Band to accompany the COM
msud from the armory ID the depot on
the 18th of this month when the COM
psny will leave this city tor Chickamsugs.
There was a murmur of disapproval
80 soon as the clerk read the petition,
and while several members expressed
their opinion on it they all svowed that
they we're kindly disposed toward the
organization but failed TO see their way
clear to vote for such an uDusual aprro-
prisiion.
The action of the Common Council
was non concerned in and the petition
referred to the finance committee.
The board adjourned about 9:45.
o'clock.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The regular and las: meeting OF the
old body was held last night, and the
members realizing this were on hand to
finish up the business pending. All the
members we're preseut with the exception
of Messrs. Marshall and Spinks who
were abseut from the city.
The first business WAS communica-
ton from the Mayor in regard to the
disorgsnized condition OF two city de.
psrtments, viz; health, and street and
engineer department. He said that
numerous complaints had arisen against
both OF these departments which had
given them notorieiy in the press, and
he said that some OF these were justified.
In his message he recommended the ap-
pointment of sanitary officer, which,
he said, could be done without much ad-
ditional expense. He said there was
ample law on the statute books, and the
only need was the enforcement. He
again recommended q codlficatlon Of the
laws.
Mr.. Birrell said he had introduced q
resolution looking to tire codficstion of
the laws some time ago. He said it was
sadly needed, in order to let the c.tizens
generally understand their duty in the
premises.
Mr.. Monroe said if he remembered
rightly q resolution on the subject of the
board of health wss pending before the
committee on general laws, and that Dr..
German, the health officer, had appeared
before t1st committee.
Mr.. Leadbeater took occasion to say
that much adverse criticism bad been
heaped on the street committee. He
knew that many of the complaints were
without foundation, and some were Jusli-
fed. As a member of that committee
he said he devoted a great deal of time
to this work and did the best he could
with the money furnished by Council
de then went into q general comparison
about the slratt cleaning expenses, bring
ing to mind the cili,s OF Washington
and Richmond. He said the condition
OF the alleys and cutters was the fault OF
the people--not that Of any department
of the city government. Most of the
alleys were private property. He said
he regretted the fact that the Mayor
bad not suggested mode by which the
desired results could be obtained. He
stated thst the city appropriates $40, 900
every year for cleaning streets and alleys.
Mr.. Williams spoke of the condition
of an alley nor h Of King street, in which
he said the weeds were three feet high.
Mr.. Leadbeatsr wanted to know II
this was city property.
Mr. Williams answered thu the city
in past years had been cleaning it,
At this point 10 the proceedings Mr..
Strauss, one OF two retiring members
from the Second ward, arose and spoke
of the condition of his health. which
compelled him to relinquish his duties as
lawmsker. He said when ne was
mayor he visited the various sections of
the city and saw that they we're kept
clean. He then thanked the president
of Council for the uniform kindness and
courtesy shown him during his term OF
Office and paid tribute to the fair aud
Just rulings Of the Chair. After express
ing his regret on leaving the body and
thanking all the members be retired.
Mr.. Monroe heartily concurred in the
opinion expressed by the chairman oil
the committee on streets.
Mr.. Evans likewise believed that there
we're enough laws on the books already,
which only needed enforcement. He
said ihst the codifcation of laws would
not clean dirty alleys or cutters. BE
sdd d that there wire but two public
alleys in the city.
The Chsir suggested a method Of
cleaning the city. He did not see the
propriety of comparing this city with
Washington on every occasion. That
The streets vera In bsd condition no one
could deny. He did net believe there
was any graft in this department, but
judging by the results attained by the
expenditures incurred it looked like a
waste of the city's money. He ventured
the assertion, be said, during the storm
of last Sunday that as much waste paper
blew through the streets Of Alexandra