Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-11-14

III. in discussion of Municipal Pow
ers decress at can do no act, make
no contract, nor incur any liability
thai is not authorized. If II even oei
doubtful whether q gwen power mas
been conferred. the doubt must oe
resolved against the power. The e. ,
tation and references Of the Co-po-
ration Attorney and myself 20 no.
exhaust the subject. There is an
other comment and question. Il can
well be asked if city council cla
upon their own authority make az ]
propriations OF the character unGcl !
discussion. why was. it necessary III |
the General Assembly Of Virginia /.
TO pass IAN Act to enable incorporS
ted towns and cities to contribute .
the building of public roads and
bridges leading 10 such towns ana
cities" See Acts General Assembly
OF Virginia session 1910, chapter -
page I3. Note that this authority J.; i
limited to road construction, ana
even that was not allowed prior 70
the nassage Of this act. \ road Isl
for The use Of the general puo.ic,
pedestrian and vehicle for business
or pleasure. not restricted to Ger
tain number Of persons ror parl-
cnIar purpose and period. bet Tor
all times and for a! the people
There IS to MY mind great dlStl1ic-
tior between macadam roads ana Z
railroad or steamboat subsidy. !
hope IL may be the pleasure o.
the City Coun.il TO consider TINS
matter from o different angle when
it has previously.
Very respectfully.
THOMAS \. FISHER, Mayor.
October g., 1917.
Hon. Thomas \. Fisher,
Mayor Of the City Of alexandria,
!.lexandri4, Virginia
Dear Sir:-ReplyinS t. your favor
requesting written opinion as 10
whether the resolution PASSED by Til?
CITY Council OF Alexandria appro-
priatinc six thousand dollars for as
sisting in the operation or a sceatn-
boat between Ge!sboro Point, Mary
land. and the City Of Alexandria IS
such . resolution as can properly bs
rassod b. the City Council, | beg 10
say:
This resolution. appropriating six
thousand dollars. does not appear 20
have been considered b. Council, e.
cgot in Joint session, until III. e!c-
venth Of Septerbr, 1917, when Ter
the first tima it w2s presented to-
She Beard Of Aldermen and passed
tie same night. No official action
was had on August twenty-ninth, BE-
cause no legislative business can ae
transacted during a Joint session of
TIE two boards, and ] am therefore
Of opinion that this resolution has
not been properly passed
In regard 70 the objects Of the re-
solution and whether the City Coaa-
ell has Q right to adopt a resr-1-
ton appropriating money -oE tAls
purpose:
4 municipal corporation a2s 10
nowar except those conferred upon
Il expressly or by feir implication
by It's charter or the ~enaral laws,
ond there appears to be no Prov
eicn Of the charter applicable to -aa
eituo+icn. certainly the power IS not
expressly conferred.
Section 1CSS OF n. Code Of VIZ
rini. Vol. 9, supp. 1910 @ivn2 20 ohe
courcils Of cities and towns certain
enumerated powers, among others
".o acquire o. other wise ootgia CO..
troll 5f o. establish, maintain. o""-
rate .cxtera end enler~e warrr woris
and other rrhlic utilities within or
without the limits Of said city -
town" Il would seer from this thS5
the CITY Cornell might o1r, operate
md control TIE fe-rrnoaJ rafar"el
20 in the resolution, bit w.2,her II