Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-15

sired that the>bill might be printed, so that
members might acquaint themselves with its
provisions, suggest amendments, and act intel
ligently on the subject when it came before
them. He was not welded to this bill, but as
the question was one that had to be met sooner
or later, he had submitted his plan, aud hoped
the Council would have it printed.
DR.. johnson urged that the bill would be an
act Of injustice to the bopdholders, discrimi-
mating in favor Of those who had bought at
low figures and against those who had bought
at 80 and 80 cents in, the dollar, and stigma
tized the proposition as ~disrepulable.
Mr.. Martin calledfor the reading Of the bill,
and the. call was seconded byMr Clifford. The
clerk then read the BILL a synopsis of which we
have published, at the conclusion Of which
Mr.. Holensbury opposed the motion to
print, as he considered it unnecessary. he
did not believe that the property of the indl-
vidual citizens was liable for the public debt,
and coatended that the Council was a mere
body polite, which in all probability will be
changed next year to black body polite, and
had no right to impose debts upon the citizens
without their concurrence. He did not be-
lieve individuals were bound, for the public
debt, but if it was aseertained that only 2 per
ct. could be paid on the debt, as had been
stated, he did not. see why proposition to pay
it now as we'll as nineteen years hence should
not be made, and thus save so much.
Mr. Martin did not believe we would ever
have negroes to rule US, if we acted rightly and
did not become frightened: He favored let
ting the bill rest for thespresent, and until the
actual financial condition of the city was
known. Gentlemen talked about a monstrous
debt, Whensthey knew nothing aboutit
9 Mr.. bloomsbury. Nor never will know
Mr.. Martin. Yes#sir We will know one OF
these days. 1t will be just SO much and no
more (laughter);- what was wanted, was a gen,
eral settlement. He did not believe the debt
was 81, 500, 900, but fit was, the city was able
to pay it, and the private property, in his es-
timation, would have to share a part OF the
burden. He wanted The matter to rest until
there is a full settlement Of the city affairs.
Upon ADMINISTRATION Of last years accounts,
SO far, everything had been found correct, and
the late Auditor would come out all right, and
he would be relieved of any censure that might
have been Improperly cast upon him. Prior
to last year, however, and Tor a long period
back, things looked ''as black as the ace of
SPADES and the whole affair should be in
yestigated thoroughly. He wanted one man.
or a setsof men to go back and investigate and
stright up the affairs of the corporation, it
needs be, from the beginning, 50 as to get
things straight once more. Hecontended that
the city was not bankrupt as long as its prop
erty vii. pay tssdebts.
Mr.. Clifford wanted all the light on the sub
ject possible, and favored the printing of the
| bill.
DR.. johnson said that printing this bill
would throw no light on the subject. In his
opinion, stockholders and spectators were the
only parties to be benefited by the passage of
such abill, aud he denounced all engaged in
such a. scheme.
Mr.. Smoot. Do you impute improper mo-
tives to me? .
DR.. johnson. Not at all-not at all, sir.
Mr.. Martin thought this subject of such
vital importance that he favored the calling of
a public meeting Of the citizens, at which the
Bondholders should be represented and heard,
and the matter thus adjusted. The confined
publicity given this question would ipjure our
credit abroad, and he thought it had better lie
| over.
Mr.. Clifford thought the printing of the bill,
for the use Of the members, would be a slight
publicity in comparison with that given it by
| holding a public meeting.
Mr.. bloomsbury favored laying the whole
subject on the table.
Mr.. Martin thought that if any member
took sufficient interest in the matter, he could
call on the Clerk and examine the bill for
himself. y
Mr.. Warfeld call for the question on the
resolution, which being taken, it was decided
to refer The bill to the Finance Committee
with instructions to have fifty copies of the
bill printed forthe use Of the Council. The
Board of Aldermen concurred in the action of
the Common Council, aud so the bill was re-
terrea, and will be printed.
sr. JOINS CHURcH,C ENTERyILLE.-A sub
soription of twenty dollars.has been received ny
the Rev. Mr.. .Aldrich, toad in rebuilding st.
Johns, Episcopal, Church, in CeDteryllle,
which, together with the Episcopal Churches
at Fairfax Courthouse, Pohick,. ST. Ste
phen's and ST. Johns, Brentsyille, and Hay
market wereldestroyed, demolised or desecra-