Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-12
LOCAL NEWS.

I
night For official proceedings see another
column
BOARD OF ALDERMEN After the reading
OF the minutes of the last meeting, by the Clerk,
Mr. Armstrong discussed the propriety Of
adopting them as who'e, as he understood
that the resolution relating to the business
forming the staple Of discussion at the last
meeting, concerning the funding OF the city
debt, was lost.
The President, Mr. Bel, thought it was al!
right, aud essayed to put damper on MIR.
| Armstrong by decididg the question out of or
| der, and not detachable, but Mr. y. was not
easily suppressed, and fought hard, protesting
| against the gagging process, and ending with
| demand for the ayes and nays. these
| were given, Messrs Bell, johnson, Hawx-
| hurst, aud Dyson voting in the negative,
and Mr.. Armstrong in the affirmative. Inc
President then decided his decision sustained,
Mr. A. still protesting, a. it, IN bis opinion,
required majority of the entire Board, aud
not majority OF those present to adopt IT,. Ii
| the ruling OF the chair was TO be the law, now
were ;he rights of the minority TO be protected!
The President required Mr.. Armstrong to
reduce his resolution to writing, which being
done, it was read, and was to the effect that
any member had right to appeal from tAe
decision of the chair, and that the President
when discussing aquestion must vacate his seat
MIR. A. proceeded to urge Its adoption as
defence against what he styled the encrolch
ments OF dcspotism and anarchy. He felt that
his voice went beyond the walls Of the chamber
hat an intelligent community looked IN this
Board TOR proper apd discreet actions. Their
acts were scrutinizcd by a judging public. He
characterized such legislation rs the present
attempt as tyranDical, and claimed that the
dominant party desired to send forth false re
port OF the facts in the case He protested
against these acts in order that he might not be
held up ~ laughing stock. The Board OF
Aldermen was a subject of udIeu.e in the com
munity on account OF It's absurd acts OF lcgisla-
ton whereas it ought to be a bulwark Of con
soryatiSm, standing between the hasty acts Of
the lower board, aud the objects OF eUch crude
legislation
Some little. sparriGg occurred ii this point
between Mr \. AMI the CHAR who was dis
posed to look on some OF the remarks as per
sonal, tut Mr.. A. discaminq such intenlOn,
went on, aud in the course of his remarks dis
cussed at some length. the p,opricty Of the
habit indulged in by the Chair OF debating
questions without first vacat,nr and calling
some one else TO his seat.
The President read the ,u,r, which stated
that should he desire to discuss questions, "he
may all some one to I'LL hi7 position pro
ten.
Mr.. L. u. Harmon, who seems Gu m9't
occasions ready for a tilt OF logic with Mr.
Armstrong, took up the cudgc!s Ia defence O.
the Chair. lie thought there was no necessity
tor such resolution. lie recognized the fact
that the sentiments OF the member Nlr. Arm
strong were noted down as significant Did
not think the acts OF this Board as disrcputa
Die, but was Of opinion that the Boart, had
transacted the public business satisfactorily to
those they represent ~
Mr.. Armstrong arose for q teneEa. If The
encounter, but was cut oil by the Chair, who
ruled him out OF order, as he could not speak
twice until every member desiring TO speak
should avail himself OF that privilege. No
one rising. however, he resumed, stating that
whenever he caused q ripple on the waters
traghtway there was stir among those OPP
posed to him. He had never advanced an
opinion in the present Board which was not
combatted He repudiated the lnslnuation
of the member Mr.. Harmony that he was in
a minority, for want of better sense. ~ on
may stave right and truth into the mud hole
and stamp on it, but it will rise over your
heads and make you blush again.
The vote being taken, the resolution was
lost, and the minutes declared correct. A
considerable audience had assembled, and
several members of the lower Board had come
in, and on the conclusion Of MIR. n. s remarks
most Of them dispersed
Several bills from the lower Board were
concurred in. 49,,
Mr.. HawxhurSt pSvcd to take up the biI!
previously reported Tor funding the public debt
and proceeded to speak in favor OF Its adop
ton.
He was replied to by Mr. Armstrong, who
seemed to be inspired with new resolution IRON
defeat, and quite spicy time might have been
had, but that Mr.. Hawxhurst seemed rather
shy of measuring sword with him again.
The bill disposed Of by It's adoption, the
election of a Dispenser of medicine to the
poor was called up, and Mr.. Harmon stated
that while the committee deemed the acton OF
the lower Board as informal, still as the policy
of the managers of the cty's affairs seemed to
be 10 allow ali officers to hold over who could do
so, and as the Mayor had advertised Tor pro
posals, it would be best for the Board to con
cur.
The chair stated that proposals had been re-
ceiyed from Dr.. Gibson. to fill prescriptions at
| S4QO per anuum, but this was since the
adoption OF the proposal of Mr. Miiburn. lie
| thought a stated SUN better than pIopo>l
ton to deduct certain per centacc.
Mr.. Harmon spoke laForaoly ut lhC ti0to
| sal of Dr. Gibson, but thought 1t Just under
the circumstances to concur in the action OF
the lower Board, accepting Mr.. hliIburn pro-
posa "at the regular rates, OF twccniy I've
Der cent discount" TITS was dOne.
The bill authorizing the Auditor TO p'a'e IN
the hands of the Attorney tor the corporation
delinquent tax bills, was taken up.
Mr. Harmon feared delay, as the &C; ct I'm
itation, would in his opinion, prevent their e1l'
lection if postponed,
Mr.. Hawxhurst thought the act referred to,
did not apply to taxes The bill was passed
over.
The report Of the Committee Gu Public
Property recommending certain repairs to the
root of the market house, va adopted; and
the petition OF Messrs. Henderson and RoA-
bury, Assessors, asking for so additional Iay,
| was referred to the Committee on Claims. y
| bill from Vim. H. Dcvaughu OF S2i.I Tor scr.
vices as cupper aud leccher to the poor, was
| also referred, and an application Tor Ienewa
of stock destroyed By fire, granted
The resolution ordering the placing OF three
additional fire plugs on Dukc street was called
up. and the action Of the lower Board concur
I rsd in oGtor which the BOARD adjourned