Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-05
COMMUNICATIONS.
To The Member. Elect of the Common Council

tuents, 10 approach you WIN V" s"u W
advice; aud though you must admit, that II the
advice be good, il is unimportant from whence
it corae, will say this much Of and for my
seH-ihat pay into your treasury Taxes as
merchant, taxes as housekeeper, add taxes as
a holder ofreal estate. A consideration OF ms
will, trust, incline you TO believe that what
have 10 offer springs from ne improper motive,
but, as a tax payer and well wisher Of our
Town, from a desire to see the funds OF which
I contribute my share usstolly and sconom'caHy
applied.
Economy. in particular, gentlemen, l wish to
see yos practice and enforce, and will call your
attention. 10 some items Of the public accounts
ON which you may exercise it, and TO which
have heard others Of our fellow citizens advert.
Commence we with the head Of the list and
Of the Executive. The Mayor. last year, re-
csivsd the sum Of $500 as salary, and, It is
understood, has the receipts sccruing from the
seal, besides some other perquisites. Could
our Town afford it, not one word would say
against this; but when taxes have become oher-
ous-when all rejecting ciizens believe they
must Sc increased, and that we arc approach
ing the crisis Of our fate, for good or for Tilt
surely becomes the ci'izen, whoever he may be,
that shall De elected TO ,ha, high ofice-irou-
blesome though tina, Office may be-to shew
his good will for The community, by doing US
duty for compensation which he may perhaps
consider inadequate or Insignificant. Try 1t,
gentlemen, a, $500.
The Clerk and Auditor received, for the
last years services, from your predecessors, the
sum of $500; the Messenger Sl62 for that
Office and oIher services" | would suggest
whether there can be any good reason why your
Clerk should not do the duty Of Messenger
L. 4 h. tAor minis m
ing nor degrading; and permit me to tell YOU
further, gentlemen, tina, il seems 10 be an OPT
MON pretty generally entertained, aat for the du
ties Of bo,h Of the So Offices, $500 or $3.50 would
be a fair, if no, a liberal, compensation.
Willis, We are reviewing the salaries, may
be permitted to speak my sentiments on all
"Bl me where we mus, be candid where we
can"
.Iha salary Of Keeper Of Poor and Aims
House is assuiedly as moderate as, The most
economical could wish.
Perhaps the same may be said Of the Physi
clan, though il seems rather 10 exceed that OF
the Keepers, in proportion to my idea OF their
respective duties.
The Superintendent Of Police, Keeper Of the
Powder House, SC. Sc. may be properly com =
pensated. OF this, however Cannon so well
Judge, aud have heard no objection made TO
them.
The Treasurer, when his responsibilities are
taken into confederation, certainly receives
only reasonable compensation.
Judge, however, differently OF the salary OF
Regula or of the Town Clock, who would assn
redly be well paid with half the sum. This
you may conceive TO be small game, but re-
member that many small savings make great
gain, and the necessities Of our situation re-
quire them all to be made.
Though it does not appear on the account,
il is understood the Clerk Of the Market is en-
titled 70 1900 per AMMAN. This may he mo-
dsra,e enough for the duties prescribed by law
for this office-but is a question repeatedly
asked: is it worth while 10 pay such sum for
q mere weigher Of butter! and what has the
incumbent done Tor the last four OF Ave years
more than this? Has he kept Gas is his duty
the buyer aud seller in their proper places p
Is il not no jsriaus on The contrary; that oar
market has dwindle6 10 a few hucSsters' stalls
and has no, jorestaifng become common oc-
currencs!
Either do away the cffice or make your Exc
cutive see that its duties ate properly perform.
ed.
A word or two as 10 the nigh, watch the
account exhibits charge, under this head, oi
Sl6s6-rhis is a pretty heavy item, gentlemen,
in the expenditures Of Corporation, with as
limited means as ours, aud among people as
much depressed as we are in pecuniary affairs.
Cannot this smount be materially reduced or
rather, ought not the question drst be asked, Is
this portion Of our police efficient! Can /; not,
then, be reduced! Or. (and propose it with
difidenee> canpot ii be dispensed with! Ma
ny thinking men doubt its utility, as it is, at
present, organizsd others say one half the
number would be equally so; and it has been
suggested (and leave it with you to rumina,s
spon) that q system Of patrol be established,
BY calling upon certain number OF. CHI
zeus, 10 turn sst Nightly, without distinction,
either in persos or by substitute, and see to
The peace and coed order Of the town whilst
the res, Of their fellow-citizens reposs.
Allow me 10 sym up the amount thus saved:
Salary of Messenger entirely Sl62
Reduction of the saary Of Clerk and Auditor, say IS
Do do Mayor lOo
Do do Keeper Of the T. Clock rs
one.haf expense Of Night Watch s43
Making . total saving of l.. s19os
Au.x~ -. In male one mare calculation.