Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-25
Mr. Bell wanted to knew what breedoli hegs

preyent the sale to minors of intoxicating IL
duors, was received and read, but objected to
by Mr.. Bell, who while ne favored any meas
ure that had for its object the good morals OF
the community, thought that the passage OF
the law proposed might be iraught with much
trouble, without accomplishing the end desired,
Upon his motion, the subject was lald over Tor
the present, and the Board adjourned
COMMON COUNCIL The organization OF this
board was delayed for considerable time, IN
consequence of the absence OF a quorum OF
the requisite nine only eight being present;
until the messenger after repeated Efforts
succeeded in obtaining the attendance OF the
poet s number, 1t being announced that the
President of the board was in Richmond as
one of the Jurors in the u. S. Court Mr. Mcken-
zie was elected President pro tenn, and pro
ceediugs were commenced by the reading OF
communication from the Mayor in relation to
the means to be adopted by which tho poor OF
the city arc to be supplied with fue! during
the coming winter, and a communication from
the members of the Corn Exchange, urging the
repeal Of 50 much Of the corporation ordinance
which prohibits the sale of country produce by
merchants during market hours.
With regard to the Mayors communication
Mr.. Martin wanted to know whether the fuel
to be supplied by the corporation was TO DC
distributed to white and black people alike.
The President said he supposed it would be
given to whoever needed it, whether white or
black.
Mr. Martin said if that was so, the corpora
ton would not have enough money to buy the
fuel that would be required, for that the nu-
merous idle negroes in the city, and idle be-
cause they would not work, would never seek
or obtain employment so long as they could
depend on charity for support-would rather
beg than work would almost rather freeze than
work.
The President said that wasn't SO" for he
was constantly receiving applications for work
from negroes, and at present had over one
hundred of them in his employ.
Mr. Martin reiterated his assertion that the
negro would not work unless compelled, and
never as long as appropriations were made for
his support-that to make such appropriation
would be an outrage and draw back upon the
hard working people OF the city. Llzy, worth
less characters, said he, who, when they can
not steal will beg.
The President said the gentleman was GER
tainly lnonomaniac upon the negro question.
Mr. Martin again asserted that the negro
would not wsN, voluntarily, and that II forced
by circumstances to enter employment, his la
bor was unreliable; and asked the members
nresent if they did not know that OF the hun
dreds of idle negro women now IN the city, 1t
one would hire herself to work in kitchen,
she wonld stay longer than one month, or at
farthest two. AS rule they were class OF
idle, worthless paupers.
Mr. White differed with the gentleman in
his opinion of negro character They would
work-sought work, and did work and so far
as paupers were concerned he had seen many
more white men in the streets begging, than
negroes.
MIR. Martin said there was no reason for
Litigation. Personal experience had taught
him that the negro would not work as long as
he could live without it, and then only by the
day or week. He had never met the class of
negroes of whom Mr.. White had spoken, and
could not find those among the negroes upon
whom to depend.
The President brought the discussion to
summary close by stating that the subject had
been disposed Of, by the rules, 1T having been
referred to the Committee on General Laws.
Mr.. Reed called up the communication from
the Corn Exchange, and said that the present
law with reference to selling country produce,
seriously incommoded the business of the city.
MIR. Moran stated that it was almost impos
sible to get a meeting OF the committee to
whom the matter would be referred, because
member of that committee carried on business
in Washington, and was rarely here during the
day, and that vacancy existed in the COM
mittee, - ,,
A communication from the Superintendent
of Police was read respecting the payment tor
the curb stones in front of the residence OF
Mr.. John w. Burke, on Wilkes street
MIR. Stein said that when the bill for the
payment of the curling alluded to, had been
presented to Mr.. Burke, that gentleman had
said that the corporation, by one Of It's laws,
agreed to pay it, but that if the corporation
would not pay it, he would. In order 70 settle
the matter to the satisfaction of all parties, he
moved that the communication be referred TO
the Committee on Streets, and it was so re-
fcrred. ~' "''f"''" ""
Mr.. Harmon next moved to amend the cor
poration ordinance respecting the selling OF
country produce during market hours, and SAID
that as the law now stood the merchants were
constantly subject to fines. pre-
Mr.. Moran from the Committee on General
Laws, reported bill respecting the selling OF
liduors to minors, which he said had been pre-
pared at the request of the Mayor, as the pre-
sent law upon that SUBJECT was detective. ne
also. while up, asked that the vacancy IN his
committee be supplied The Vacancy was &C.
casioned by the removal of Mr.. Brewis from
the. ward he had represented, and though that
gentleman had been re-appointed by General
Stoneman he had declined to serve longer as a
member Of the Counci-refusing to take the
oath which accompanied his appointment.
The President desired MIR. Stewart to request
tbes Roard ,of "A ldermen TO appOint member of
the committee in the place OF Mr.. Brewls.
MI Shirley said that Mr., Brewis was still
member Of the Board Of Aldermen, for that
Col Stanhope had told him that MIR. Brewls
had been re-appointed by Gen. Stoneman.
Mr.. Moran said he knew what he was talk.
ing about. Mr.. Brewis had been re appointed
by Gen. Stoneman but had positively declined
to take the oath accompanying the notification
of his appointment. %" q
/ Mr.. Harmon introduced bill respecting the
sale of country produce during market hours,
which, after a prolonged discussion, participa-
| ted in BY 'Messrs. Arnold, Harmon, Shirley,
ID III INL;+o ooJ Mo,t,r, yrau rafarrnd IN q