The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-21

Mr.. Baker moved that the rules be sus-
pended, that the Board might pre- coed TO the
confirmation OF the name Of Mr.. Brewer.
Mr.. Emery desired to submit respectful
communication from Mr.. Crossman In refer
ence 10 the matter.
Mr.. Stewart objected 10 the suspension of
the rules. What had Mr.. Crossman done
that he should be removed, and who was
Mr.. Brewer What particular qualifca-
ton had Mr.. Brewer that Mr.. Crossman did
not possess And was not Mr.. c. regarded
as a competent officer when his nomination
was confirmed There was something
wrong In the proceeding. When did the
Mayor become invested with plenary power
to remove competent officers at his will !
He wanted to know the reasons. II the
paper which Mr.. Emery desired to offer
would throw any light upon the matter, he
wanted 1t read.
Mr.. Moore contended that 1t was proper to
have the paper read, and 1t was for the
Board to say whether they would have the
paper read. Tho nomination was before
the Board, and II the paper referred to
would enlighten the Board, then II was
proper that 1t should be read.
Mr.. Emery said 1t was important that q
-four Inspector should be appointed. There
was q large amount of flour arriving, and
business required that some one should act
at once.
The Chair thought II was important for
the Board TO sustain Its dignity, and not
allow personal matters 10 be made public
through their proceedings.
Mr.. Baker coucurrcd In the opinion cx-
pressed by the Chair.
Mr.. Connolly felt bound to say that the
communication was from a responsible citl-
zen; yet he could not vote for the reading Of
any paper out Of order.
Several of the members having expressed
their opinions, Mr.. Stewart said he regretted
TO again trouble the Board, but having be-
fore announced that he wished 10 do unto
others as he would be done by, he felt com.
PEELED to object To anything like hasty action.
He had done as much as any friend of the
Republican party for Its success, and labored
zealously to elect Mayor Bowen, but he
thought the Board OF Aldermen had some
rights as well as tie executive of the cor
poration, and hoped, indeed, they would
maintain them. lie did not wish TO make
any party Issue, but when 1t was attempted
to control the action OF the peoples repre-
sentatives, he was bound to denouncc 1t. lie
would not quietly sit under any party power,
such as was attempted to be welded over
this Board. lie would not permit any man
to hang the party lash over him. 1t was
time the Board Of Aldermen respected its
own dignity, He was opposed to having
such things thrust upon him.
Mr.. Baker, (nterrupting.) What docs the
gentleman mean by party lash Mr. Brewer
was a respectable citizen, and he was aston
ished that the gentleman from the First
ward did not know it.
Mr.. Stewart (rcsuminG) said that he
wished to God that We had a tenure Office
law. He did not wish to make an issue, but
there was no doubt that the Mayor had eXcr-
cised the power vested In him too much for
the public good. When an officer was con-
hrmed, as Mr.. Crossman had been, and had
not been guilty OF malfcasauce in Office
why should he be removed lie considered
the act Of the Mayor as cruel, unjust, un
called-for, tyranpical, and amounted to moth
Ing less than the persecution of an innoccn
man.
On the reading Of the communication til
vote was as follows
Yeas Champion, CLARK, Davis Emery
Moore Moore, Morseli' Moo"thran' Stewart "6'
Nays Baker, Connolly, Knight, aud III,
President-i.
The secretary then read the communIcA
ton, as followsi
rom, honorSs H S1%rG l E.. Sept "a; p ~
q WnshingtoH:
copy, was received by me on the day of it'
MAYOR OFFICE, CRY HALL
SIR: BY virtue of authority vested In me
spector Of nour and sailed provisions, to take
$. ]. Bowks, Mayor.
Ta r., n Gcgss:.maa. Esa Mastlagt"a, Q. -,
The record OF the proceedings OF your Board
will show that my confirmation for the above
office Is Of recent date. Public evidence has
sale dealer. 10 sSd receivers q nosr in this
city that In their opinion the duties of the
once willie held the position were performed
ahee with the law governing ia the ease" i,
Z also knoxn to ny politics. friends that
N IA Hf
your Board that do not wish them to make
light on my account over any person who's,
my place trust ann too ,S 'T mSSS Of R..
publican 70 allow q personal matter TO ln.
peril the Interests Of our ps5ty u The Mayer
personal feelings Or 70 prescribe tried Repa6.
iieans only because they acknowledge hi CHEZ
allegiance to honor and to fair dealing thar
to party leaders, let US In spirit OF Patien,
foTbesfsnce and for the sake OF our cause tot
crate everything that does not compromi s'
gent community will In the end assign /,
every person HIS true place.
TO ny poIi.isss,, opponent u your bonTI
upon them, aud, so far MS the matter Envelope
only partisan elements do not expect an!
But 1t 10 a question whether this act Of tn,
Mayors, lifted out Of Its party relations an,
regarded in its bearings on the general inter
ests OF the city mlght not afford au sppOrtu
nifty for the representative men OF any party
to yindioste the sentiment OF fairness 10 Tho
Naturalization ofcIyil affairs. and that manll
ness and honesty which ask no defence bul
the truth, and invokes only justice, not inter.
ested support.
Very respectfully, your obdt seEyt.
J. II. CRossMAN.
The question on suspending the rules was
next taken, and the vote was as follows;
Yeaa--Messrs. Baker, Clark, Connolly, Da
Wis, Emery, Knight, Slater, and the President
Nays-Messrs. champion, Moore, MorsCll
MeOathran, and stewart.
The nomination of Mr.. Brewer was then
referred to the Committee on Improvements.
Also nominating for lamplghter in the
First ward, Mr.. John Thomas Bell, vice
VIM. II. Bell, resigned.
a motion to suspend the rules was also
the SUBJECT OF debate, and after some dis
cussion the rules were suspended and the
nomination Of Mr.. Bell confirmed.
The Mayor referred to the Board com
municatlon from c. II. Bliss, urging the i'm
portance Of having the sewers properly con
structed, and recommending the appoint
ment OF assistants TO be continually on tht
work from day to day. The Mayor lndorsc,
the communication as follows Respectfully
referred to the Board OF Aldermen, with The
Recommendation that the suggestions of Mr.,
Bliss may receive early and favorable atten.
ton. know OF no better way TO secure the
construction Of proper sewers, aud save the
tax payers from being defraudcd by dis
honest contractors. Referred.
A communication was received from J. b
Fawcette, secretary Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal, protesting against the construc.
tion of sewers proposed from q street west,
leading into Rock creek. Referred,
Also, a communication from the Mayor,
calling attention to the condition Of the
streets and avenues In the vicinity of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad depot, and ask
ing that measures be Immediately taken to
improve the same, that they may not be LETT
another winter as an cyG-sorc and nuisance
both 10 cltlzcns and strangers who visit the
city.
The Mayor says SIT Is at this point most
persons who come here first SGT foot on
Washington soil. Here the first impression
respecting our city IN derived, and yet its
worst features are here presented"