Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-20
LOCAL. NEWS.
IN COMMON :CoUNcIL-THE PHYSICIANS TO
THE PO0R-CLERKsHIP OF THE GAS
WORKs-sPICY DEBATE.

n1gQC, lmmeuldGely upuu JIG srtsseiuUltuS VIII
lower Board, Dr4J. b JohnsonsTose to a poin
of order, which he stated to be, that the min
utes of the last meeting should beschapged, 81
thatin, the Salary billit shall read that sfou
Physicians, at a salary of 500 each, shall b.
chosen, y instead of two, at assalary of 500
each. Z. DR.. j. contended that as alta previous
meeting, the Council had, by resolution, inser
ted four Physicians-in the bill, wbichSwa ther
referred back to the committee, that the com
mittee had no right to alter or amend that part
acted upon, notwithstanding the bill, as amend
ed by the committee had passed thelast Coun-
Gil
The Chair oyerruled the point Of order,
whereupon DR. j. appealed from the decision
of the chair, but the appeal was not sustained,
so that the item remains as passed, viz: Two
Physicians for the Poor, at 5000 each.
Mr.. Ashby voted at first to sustain the Chair,
but subsequently was permitted to change his
vote.
When the petition of MIR. Owens, for per-
mission to erect frame building on Patrick,
between Prince and Duke streets, was before
the Council, DR.. johnson stated his dislike to
oppose the granting of such favors, but that
they were so frequent, as to have become a
violation of the laws, as be was strict con-
structonist he should be exceedingly careful
how he voted on these petitions
There being no business before the body,
Mr.. Hough addressed the Council, in refer
enee to the appointment of a clerk OF the Gas
Works-he had been chosen chairman of that
committee and had desired to 60 to work, at
once, but without clerk, the committee could
do nothing Mr. T. I. Gwin had been APP
pointed but his appointment had been suisse
qrently annuled, and it was now matter Of
doubt with him, and a subject on which he de-
sired the action Of Council, as to whether the
committee, or the Council should make the APP
misunderstanding could be done without a
clerk and he desired instructions.
DR.. Johnsonread the 24th rule requiring the
Council to elect by ballot all officers or agents
of the Corporation, and contended that the clerk
of the Gas Works was an of6c, r, and should be
elected by the Council, just as any other officer.
Mr. Hough took issue with DR.. j. and said
that the Dr's. assertion, that the clerk Of the
Gas Work was an officer of the Corporation,
might or might not be SO, and conteDded that
if this idea was carried out, every laborer at the
Gas Works or on the streets, would have tie be
elected by the Council, which he denied. In
his opinion the clerk was not an officer or agent
of the Corporation, and was on a footing with
the other employees at the Gas Works, all of
whom are appointed by the Superintendent OF
the committee.
Mr.. Brent stated that as there was no ques
eion before the Council, and as clerk was
necessary, he supposed the committee had a
right to make the appointments.
Mr. Lambert offered resolution that the
committee on light be empowered to appoint
competent clerk, and regulate his compensa-
ton.
Dr. johnson contendcd that unless the 9th
rule was suspended, the resolution could not be
adopted He was opposed TO delegatiDg any
such power to the committee, whose ~hms
and fapcies were not. to be regarded by this
Council. These committees had become too
presumptuous, and had undertaken to dictate
to Council. He did not like their action, in
regard to the physicians to the poor, and would
not yield to them any powers not strictly be-
longing to them.
MIR. Lambert contended that it WAS eminent
ly proper for the committee to make the ap-
pointment, in as much as the Clerk had to
obey the instructions of the Committee, and
be governed by their direction. Heconsidercd
that the ''whims and fancies spoken Of by DR..
johnson were the conjuriug up Of that gentle
man own fertile Imagination.
Mr.. Ashby opposed the Committee 5 making
the appointment He referred to the action Of
the Finance COMMUNICATION he designated
as the Bull Dogs Of the Treasury lin amend
ing the salary bill in regard to the Physicians a.
Mr.. Brent suggested that the Finance Com
mittee had not exceeded their powers at all.
Mr.. Ashby contenddd that they had, and
proceeded to criticise the action of the Com
mittees, when he was called to order as intro
duciug subjects foreign to the matter under
discussion.
Mr.. Brent-Let him alone he'll get to the
point presently.
Mr.. A. repeated that he would oppose the
Committee appointing the Clerk
The Chair stated that it was not necessary
to suspend he Oath rule in order to take action
on Mr.. Lambert's resolution, and was proceed
ing to give his reasons for so deciding, when
DR.. johnson called the Chair to- order, on
the ground that if the President desired to
speak he must leave the Chair,
The President said that he was merely sta
hing his reasons for ovsrruling the gentleman's
point.
DR.. johnson insisted that the rules required