The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-07-30
THE CITY GOVERNMENT lMBROG.

II ever body Of men deserved enc eensurc
and execration OF n community the Demo.
cratic members OF the Board OF Aldermen OF
this city deserve and should receive It. Their
conduct on Monday evening last, was unpar-
donablc in the extreme. Having, by trickery,
taken possession of weak minded man, who
was elected by Republican votes, in the
strongest Republican ward In the city. and
who was the most radical of all Radicals
at the time of his election, they manage either
by staying away from the regular meetings OF
the Board, or by abJenting themselves when
ever a proposition to legislate for the city is
offered, TO leave i. without a quorum, and
have for nearly two months prevented the
passage Of single law or ordinance.
In the meantime all the interes.s OF the
city are suffering; nuisances engendering dis
case, pestileuce and de sth are undated; work
onpublic improvements Is suspended; lab oTers,
whose families are starving, AMI whose money
has been due them for months, as well as
those who are now employed cleaning the
streets and alleys, are unpaid; contractors
and all others who have furnished supplies
for our schools, asylum, streets, Sc, for the
past year, and in some cases for many years,
clamor for their money in vain. Indeed there
is scarcely tradcsman, mechanic, laborer, or
other individual in our midst who is not
either directly or remotely suffering in conse.
Iucnce OF the perversc and wanton action of
these seven meni
And what do they expect to gain by such a
coursel 1t is not certainly the control Of the
city, for that is entirely beyond their reach,
no matter what they may attempt. The fact
IL they dislike Alderman Rich ards, dad then
mean 10 compel him 10 reSign hat position, eren
though il inroipe erery citizen in ruin and he
city RSeiC In anarchy. In this they will find
that they are mistaken.
These seven men will be held to a strict ac-
countability for their conduct. The Mayor
has succeeded in getting through Congr ess a
bill authorizing the issue of bonds to pay the
r1lttng debt Of the city, which requires the
lction OF the Councils to carry 1t into effect
This action should have been taken last Mon
lay evening, and before the advent of another
week our finances would have been in con.
Aiti0n 10 satisfy the claims of every creditor
who presented 4 just demand for payment.
\lit il. nothing eau be lone; the city must &c
nnimprnved, creditors unpaid, nuiaances una
Dated, and the most urgent demands for re
pNiriuE bridges, streets, alleys, SC, must pass
unnoticcd.
Let every enc In our midst understand whcr,
he responsibility OF these things rests. lie
hose seven know that If YOU, suffering be
lnsc of the existence Of nuisance, or be
Iusc the corporation debt Is not paid or be
cause wells are not dug, pumps not repaired
'ireots not graded, sewers not constructed,
pavenents not laid, streets not lighted, alleys
not cleaned, water pipes not laid, hogs and
%"osc not released from the asylum, otiicers Of
'hh corporation not paid, and there is no legis
iatior for the city, it is because THEY refuse
20 meet and act with the Republican member,
Of the Board Of Aldermen. Let the response
btlity rest with them until they discharge tn,
duties imposed upon them by the Offices they
have accepted, and by the constituents who
demand it Of them.
The Board of Common Council have acted
and are acting on important measures, and II
needs but the cooperation of the Board of Al
dcrmen to set all things right. win this BE-
had, or will they still defy the will Of the PEG
pie and the interests OF the city.