served upon the president of the common council, shall be deemed sufficient.
Extent of the common council’s jurisdiction.
The concurrence of a majority of all the members necessary to the passing of a law, &c. &c.
Powers of the council defined.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the jurisdiction of the said common council shall extend to the limits heretofore prescribed by law, and exercised by the mayor and commonalty. The concurrence of a majority of the whole number of members elected into the common council, shall be necessary for the passing of any law, order, or resolution, or for repealing, altering, or revoking the same.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said common council shall have power to erect and repair workhouses, houses of correction, and other public buildings, for the benefit of the said town; to pave, make and repair the streets and highways; to make all laws which they shall conceive requisite for the preservation of the health of the inhabitants, and for the regulation of the morals and police of the said town, and to enforce the observance of their said laws, by reasonable penalties and forfeitures, to be levied upon the goods and chattels of the offender; and they shall have power to raise money by taxes, for the use and benefit of the said town:Proviso. Provided, that such laws shall not be repugnant to, or inconsistent with the laws and constitution of the United States. The said common council shall, whenever they deem it proper, have power to open, extend, regulate, pave, and improve the streets, within the limits of the said town:Proviso. Provided, they make to the person or persons who may be injured by such extension, just and adequate compensation out of the funds of the corporation, to be ascertained by the verdict of an impartial jury, in like manner as has been usual in other cases, where private property has been condemned for public use.Powers of the common council. They shall have power to hold and keep within the said town, market days in every week, and from time to time, to appoint a clerk of the market, who shall do and perform all things belonging to the office of clerk of the market within the said town, according to the rules and regulations which they shall prescribe. They shall have power to pass all laws not inconsistent with the laws of the United States, which they may conceive requisite for the prevention and removal of nuisances, and to appoint a superintendent of police, commissioners, and surveyors of the streets, constables, collectors of the taxes, and all other officers who may be deemed necessary for the execution of their laws, who shall be paid for their services a reasonable compensation, and whose duties and powers shall be prescribed in such manner as the common council shall deem fit for carrying into execution the powers hereby granted.
Further definition of the powers of the common council.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the jurisdiction of the said common council shall extend over the harbor of Alexandria, and over vessels of every description which may arrive and be in the harbor, or be at anchor in any part of the river Potomac below Pearson’s island, and within the district of Columbia, for the purpose of preventing and removing all nuisances, and such other subjects or things being on board any such vessel, as may be prejudicial to the health of the town, and for no other purpose. And also, their jurisdiction shall extend over the house lately built in the vicinity of the town for the accommodation of the poor and others, and over the ten acres of ground thereto belonging, and over all persons who may be sent or placed there by the consent or authority of the common council, and on their way to and from the same, until they be regularly discharged: Provided, that the paupers and other persons shall not be considered as having thereby gained a residence in the county, so as to become chargeable thereto.
A mayor to be annually chosen by a vote of the common council.The president of the council to decide the election in case the council is equally divided.
The time for which the mayor shall hold his office.
To take an oath of office.
His powers and duties.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the common council shall, annually, at their first meeting after their own election and qualification, choose by ballot a fit and able man, having the qualifications herein after directed, to be mayor of the town, which choice shall be made by a majority of the whole number of members of the said common council,
