Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-07-19
LOCAL NEWS.


side Of routine business until The two boards
met in joint Convention.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN AT the opening OF
the board MIR. Agnew said that MIR. Robert
Bell who had been chosen an Alderman had
presented his resignation under the idea that
he could not serve as Alderman and Magistrate
at the same time. The Attorney General had
now decided that be could, aud Mr.. Bell wish
ed to withdraw his resignation. He introduc
ed resolution reconsiderng the vote by which
Mr.. Bells resignation was accepted, and 10
wing hin to take his seat in the board.
Mr. Suite opposed the resolution lie did
not think that the board coud reverse its &C.
tlou. If; was thought proper they could go
.nto an election ard elect Mr. Bell as an Al
ierman, for this body had power to fill the
vacancy He thought, however, that prec7d-
ents had no bearing upon the case because
there had reTcr tat;re been vacancy under
tie present charter, and renewed argument to
show that each board had power to ill vacsr-
cies in his own body without referring the mat
ter to'the people. He read the paragraph 10
the charter relating TO the matter.
Mr.. Agnew said that the members OF this
board either wanted Mr. Bell TO be associated
with them or not. \ vote upon his resolution
would soon settle that
Mr.. Harmon said that the paragraph
which Mr. Suite had read showed plainly
enough that the Aldermen had no power to ill
vacancies in their own board. 1t was plain
enough to him.
MIR. Sutle renewed mis- interpretation Of the
clause.
Some colioquial d, bate here took place De-
tuoan Mr. Snttla and Mr. Harmon.
MIR. Markell wished to know who had the
hoor he wanted to hear one at time.
Mr.. French thought that both gentlemen
were right in some particulars. lie did not
think the board could fill vaclucies in lis own
iodg, but he acceptance OF MIR. Bell was a
tioal,y, aud while he knew OF no man whom
he would rather have a. an Alderman. there
was now No remedy for Mr.. Bell except to go
letorr the people.
Mr.. Harmon urged that the board which
voted to accept MIR. Bells resignation could re
consider its own action.
iir. Agnew explained the status OF Mr. Bell.
Mr.. Markell wanted vote on each branch
81 the resolution. He could vote to allow MIR.
Bell 10 withdraw his resignation, but not TO ad
nit him.
Mr.. Suite did 40. suppose that even 1t Mr.;
Balls resignation was Withdrawn 1t would
enable him to take seat 10 the board
lie was magistrate and could not hold
two Offices. The opinion OF the Attorney
General could not alter the fact, the words
of the law were too plain to be msuudcr
stood He did not think that every petty sit
ual!on under the city was an otnce within the
meaning of the law. The market master was
lot an officer, nor midwife, nor an officer OF
lodge. But q magistrate was certainly an
officer.
Mr. Suite moved that the whole subject be
indefinitely postponed.
The question beiog taken by d rising vote,
Mr.. Sutlle stood up alone. 10 the Affirmative
Before the negative was called tor,
MIR French suggested that that motion would
not reach The ocject at which MI. Sutte aimed.
The motion 10 divide made by MIR. Markell
would better reach the point.
Mr.. Aenew wished to proceed to vote On
the motion.
Mr.. Frcnch-Are the Council ready for US.
The Chair-They have notified Us that they
were ready sometime ago.
Mr.. Freuch- Let US 90; not keep the other
gentlemen waiting. (MovloR.)
Mr.. Agnew pressed vote at once.
MIR. Simpsou-We had better lay 1t over IN
Ill we como back.
Mr.. Markell moved to lay tho resolution 90
the table, which was carried.
The board then proceeded to the joint meet
iug in the Council chamber.
JOINT MEETING Mr. Smoot called the
Joint meeting to order and announced that the
business in order was the election OF twenty
one pohctmeD. -,
Nominations were submitted as follows by the
Board of Police The 81 names reported at
The last meeting.
By pctltltion-Geu Tyler, Sd Ward; VIM.
II. Treaklc, lst Ward Cha<. II Coxen, Thos:
+, Javcns, 4th Ward; Pat Hays, jr., Bid
Ward; Samuel F. Cation, Richard Tomiiuson,
Henry Padg,tt Geo. Jones,
By air. Neale-Geo R. Williams, VIM.
CIapd,re, Geo. r. Struder, Geo. Travis, Jas.
P. Shrakes, Jas Walker, JAS. Huntington,
Henry Crump, John Sippe.
By MIR. Massey-.Iohn L. Smith, jr., u.
Lumpklns, Mich. Breen, j. B. Psdsett, 1.
l. Edelin, James L. Burnett, s. Bowler
Mr.. Massey asked if this gentleman. Mr.. y l..
Smith, was the person mentioned ny the chair
man as recommended by the Board Of Police.
Mr.. French said he Was not, 1t Was James
Smith.
Mr.. Massey said he wished to say that in
presenting the names of DarneIl and Lumpklns
that they were colorcd men. The coIorcd PEG
pie constituted large proportion OF the voters,
and when gentlemen ran for otnco they would
be ready to tip their hats to them tor their
votes.
Mr. Neae--l would not
Mr. Msssey-The gentleman perhaps does
intend to run FIR Congress.
MIR. Nealc-l | did would not.
Mr.. Massey De gustibuS NON diSputandum.
Every gentleman eau consult his own tastes.
Mr. NcaIe-Let 'em be all black or all white.
Mr.. Massey could have avoided some of the
ignomipy which wou doubtless he cast on
hlm, by remaining silent, but he chose to Jet
the Counci understand where he stood. tie
should vote Tor these coiored men, whether
they were elect, or not
Mr. NeaIc-They wont be elected.
Mr. Massey spoke ct some length 10 further
support of these nominees. Darnell was al ex
celcnt man, the son Of Harry the old sexton:
Every ono knew him. Lumpkns also would
make an excellent officer.
By Mr.. Sutte-Wm. johnson, Geo Oe-
den and Others who had previously been noml