Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-02-24

Nr. Snow1en,

Considerable pains having been taken TO
rnisrepresent and exags rate tic clrcumslan-
sces of my having given information 20
member of congress, relative to certain al
terations made in abill agreed uponby the
inhabitants Of this town, think i proper
ITO submit to the public the following exp'a-
nation:
Soon after the last town meeting, heard
= few Of the citizens of this town complain
that the bill had been altered BY the COM
mittee. from the state in which It was pas
sed BY the town meeting, had never seen
the bill and was acquainted vlth.lts proyi-
sions only by report, it was therefore utter
" impossible for me to haze any personal
knowledge Of itzwithln inslts original, or
altered form. Happening 10 be lnconver-
sation with member-of congress on the
subject, j mentioned to hinthe informa-
=tion had received, ofthe unauthorized al
terations made in the bill by the commit
tee and requestedsh him to send me- a CO.
py of the bill, as soon as it shoald be print
ed, in order to that might ascertain the
truth of the information f1adreceived. It
was with no intention whatever; that this
intimation should stand upon my credit,
or be considered as charge against the
committee, or an objection to the bill un-
less the accuracy OF the fact could be sub
stantiated. Ianentioned tito that member
merely, as an inducement for his furnish
ing me with a copy Of the billfor the pur-
pose of investigation. That gentleman
urged this information, as a reason, tor
having the bill printed. His observations
on the subject may be seen inthe National
1ntelligencerof the 15ths inst. This pub
lie information which had been derived
from me, produced an application from Sc
veral members of the town committee. i
explained TO them the nature of the infor-
nation had given and received. They
made me solemn assurances thatl was un-
founded, i found that my informant could
not support the charge and therefore made
no hesitation ingivingthe gentlemen, who
applied to me, a letter. to the member stat
ING that Ihad reason to believe that had
been incorrectly informed. Since writing
that letter have been furnished with the
documents containing the proceedings OF
the committee and find that there is acts,-
ally foundation for the information had
at first received. | do not pretend TO say
how far the town committee exceeded their
powers, or their duties, but the simple
fact is that the committee did make mate
rial alterations in the bill after it passed the
town meeting The most material altera-
tions were made in the first section. Sub
Joined is part Of the FIRST section as it
passed the town meeting (No. ID also the
same part as afterwards altered BY the com.
mittee (No. ~ it is also fair to give the
letter Of one Of the committee explaining
and iustifying these alterations No. 8.
The uncandid and malicious manner in
which have been attacked on this subject,
renders it Unnecessary that my motives should
be explained. thrust every man OF candor
will perceive that had no farther given
credit to an unascertained report, than
merelyto set on foot perinvestigati
The folly and the malice of those who
would pervert such conduct into a serious
assertion of the charge have compelled me
to search out and to publishtlle Backgrounds
Of the report. 1t will be found that it was
literally true. NV fellow-citizens will now
be able to Judge fully and fairly Of the con-
duct Of their committee. It is probable e.
nough the alterations made by them may
lie approved. 1t is not for the purpose Of
involving them in the censure Of the public
that enter into these. explanations, but to
exhibit the motives and the facts thai have
actuated my own conduct.
HENRY ROSE.
alexandria, 18Th Feb. 1904.
No. I.
sfa act to amend tic laayiergf alesandria