Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-03
TUESDAY. APRIL s. 1889
rcoNMUNIcArED. |


M, S,,opden Il have read, with much sur
nriss. A communication in the National Intelli-
sencer. signed "A Citizen OF Alexandria" adj
dressed to the Hon. George G.. WAsHINGToN,
and through him to the other members OF the
House of Representatives. the object Of which is
20 prevent the passage OF the bill now pending be-
fore Congress amending the Charter of our Town
and giving the people the power Of choosing their
Mayor. I have neither leisure nor [inclina
ton to answer all the arguments OF the writer
whose communication occupies one entire column
In the Inteligencer-they may all be summed up
in one; his whole object appears to De, to prove
that the people are not safe repository OF pow
er That ductrine will not take at this day aud in
this country. As regards the danger OF the May
or being influenced BY leading men in elections.
shere is much less to be apprehended from those
who act openiy before the whole community at
elections than those who attempt privately TO infiu-
ence small bodies, such as the Council ut town.
One great objection to our present mode OF elect
ing the Mayor is that members OF Council are ire
quently voted for, because they will support
favorite candidate for the mayoralty, pfhom re-
gard TO their general quafi fcations as Council
men. Iapprehend no danger from the " careless
ness" spoken Of by the Citizen;' there will be
sufficient interest remaining to induce the people
low citizens of men fitted to serve in the COun.
Gil. If ga Ci,zen'' has not miss,ated facts. he
has withheld some important ones: instance the
following.
st appears bv the report of the Committee OF
the District on the subject Of local legislature,
that the number Of those who voted on that occa-
sion. was seven hundred and thirty lone, which
leaves four hundred and thrt, voters Ia majority
who have not united III requesting this change IN
the mode Of election OF the Mayor.
.sThen, sir, SO fat as the sentiments at the peo-
ple Of Alexandria are known, il does not appear
to be the wish of TIE majority that this alteration
should be made in the rode OF eiectlng the Chief
Magistrate Of the town."
Now what is the impression intended here to be
made?-cleariy. tina. majority are not IN favor
Of the proposed alteration. But sir, see 'the
truth;the whole truth. and nothing but the truth.
The petitions signed on the day that the vote
on the question Of retrocession was taken:ln most
Of the wards there were no papers Htrsd Tor sig
nature until many persons had voted and retired
from the po'ls-and many others did mt sign be-
cause they thought it would be better for Council
10 pass an order that the sense OF the people
should be raken b the Commissioners at the then
APPROACHING election for members OF the Common
Council blt will venture to say that there
were not 6f'v Intelligent persons who objected
to Il measure; the, only diff renee ut opinion was
about the pro. er tune to act. have more or less
intercourse with nv fellow citizens every dav,and
have heard hat three persons object to the pranei-
Die of the BIl-'he impression is general that
nme ;cnths OF the voters are IN favor ot 1t IL
there a,e any defects in the details of the bill,
they can be- easily remcdied. Yours
March ST.. 1852 PLAIN TRUTH.