United States Statutes at Large/Volume 2/8th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 14
Chap. XIV.—An Act supplementary to an act intituled “An act to incorporate the inhabitants of the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia.”[1]
Act of May 3, 1802, ch. 53.
Period of incorporation of Washington, enlarged to fifteen years.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the act, intituled “An act to incorporate the inhabitants of the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia,” except so much of the same as is inconsistent with the provisions of this act, be, and the same is hereby continued in force for and during the term of fifteen years, from the end of the next session of Congress.
City councils, of what numbers they are to consist and how to be elected.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the council of the city of Washington, from and after the period for which the members of the present council have been elected, shall consist of two chambers, each of which shall be composed of nine members, to be chosen by distinct ballots, according to the directions of the act to which this is a supplement; a majority of each chamber shall constitute a quorum to do business: in case vacancies shall occur in the council, the chamber in which the same may happen, shall supply the same by an election, by ballot, from the three persons next highest on the list, to those elected at the preceding election; and a majority of the whole number of the chamber in which such vacancy may happen, shall be necessary to make an election.
Powers of the councils enlarged.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the council shall have power to establish and regulate the inspection of flour, tobacco, and salted provisions, the gauging of casks and liquors, the storage of gunpowder, and all naval and military stores, not the property of the United States, to regulate the weight and quality of bread; to tax and license hawkers and pedlers, to restrain or prohibit tippling houses, lotteries, and all kinds of gaming; to superintend the health of the city, to preserve the navigation of the Potomac and Anacosta rivers, adjoining the city; to erect, repair, and regulate public wharves, and to deepen docks and basins; to provide for the establishment and superintendence of public schools; to license and regulate, exclusively, hackney coaches, ordinary keepers, retailers and ferries; to provide for the appointment of inspectors, constables and such other officers as may be necessary to execute the laws of the corporation; and to give such compensation to the mayor of the city as they may deem fit.
Powers of levy court abolished.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the levy court of the county of Washington shall not hereafter possess the power of imposing any tax on the inhabitants of the city of Washington.
Approved, February 24, 1804.
- ↑ See notes to act of May 3, 1802, ch. 53.