Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-11-29

was read
AT HOME.
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Nov. Is, 1871.
To the Honorable city Council:
GENTLEMEN: On the 18th inst. the resigna-
ton of VIM johnson, as policeman, WAS re-
warded to the City Council. On the morning of
the 18th | WAS surprised t. find that Mr.. john
son had been reelected, by the City Council. to
the same position, without inquiry or investiga-
ton. am unwilling to believe that the City
Council intended amy dsrespectto the Mayorby
said action, but has hastily and imprudent y fol-
lowed the promptings Of a malicious and vndlc-
tive member the statements of said member be-
ing without foundation IN fact. There WAS m"
personal matter between the Mayor and Mr..
Johnson" there WAS mo difficulty between the
Mayor and Mr. Johnson" Between July l>l,
1870 and July 1st. 1871, Mr.. johnson has been
guilty of rcpeated acts of dsrespcct and discour-
lesy to the Mayor. SO much so, that AN order
had been issued TO the captain not To place Mr.
johnson on duty in the Office, the captain cX-
pressed great deal OF regret; ana 10 0ohgc nm
the order was withdrawn; still the discourtesy
continued. Since the 1st Of July, 1871. tier"
have been repeated acts Of the same kind. The
last offence was committed on the llth inst and
TO avoid wolnding his feelings. in the presence
of strangers, | did not reprove him mt the time
but visited the station house on the night OF the
18th inst. and reproved him III a mild manner
and told him positively these discourteses must
cease from that night. Another member of the
police force having violated the regulations was
reprovcd ut the same time in more iorclble
manner, although the offence was not 5" great;
after which MI johnson rendered his resignation.
Immediately after | informed Capt. Webster
that Mr. johnson intended to apply Cor re-clec-
ton knowing where lie could 60. 10 be sustain
cd in any indignty he might offer the Mayor
Capt Webster refused to believe any thing of
the kind Mr. johnson has been held up rs IL
al ,f, hn OU1\ on
force who has been complained ofby the citizens
as treating them with diSrc<pect and lncvlIltN
\ desire to place the matter properly before the
City Council, prompts this communication.
HUGH LATHAM, Mayor
Mr.. Henderson moved to lay the letter Oil the
table.
Mr.. Smith favored Il hearing of all the cir
cnnlstanccs, and desired an lnvcstl gatnn ri the
whole subject.
The President-The chair will remind gen
ticmcn that Il motion to lay upon the table Is
not debatable.
Mr.. Smith said that there had been no peace
in the police force since its organization.
Mr. HcndcrSon-No it is by the bulldog do
inss of the Mayor The whole trouble was
that the Mayor would not recognize the police
commissioners. When Mr.. johnson went for
ward TO be sworn the Mayor told him then that
he did not recognize the authority OF the board.
Was Council going to submit to this? Is the
Mayor to run the whole city, City Council
and all? This city is not to be run by MIR. La
tham
Council efused to lay the letter on the table.
Mr. Wheat said he was sorry TO have TO
speak on this subject. He had tried to do his
dutyin the whole case, and found that the Mayor
corst inty impeached his character for ycracity
and truthfunesS But there was nothing that
the Mayor could say that would injurc him.
The community knew both men and that was
enough. Council had elected him rs one Of
the Police Board and from the very first meet
ing the Mayor had thrown difficulties in the
way. Even before that at the meeting OF the
Fire Department, trouble had been made in Il
similar way between the Department and some
of the fire companies. The Mayor HAD refused
to recognize the men appointed by the Police
Board as rcady-men because he did not rGcog-
uize the Police Commissioners. " here did
the Mayor get his authority to appoint ready
men? Mr. jackson sent in his aSlgnatlon
three or four weeks after he had left the force
and gone to work. What did the Mayor do ?
Put The resi- gnation in his pocket, and after
Jackson had been absent tor some time put
hiu;on again. Que thing was ccrtain.l was time
I
to abolish it entirely. He had No wish to serve
on it.
Mr.. Hopkins said the reason why he did vote
against laying the communication Oh the table
was that he thought communication OF the
Mayor was entitled torespect and consideration
at the hands Of Council.
Mr.. Shinn reviewed all the circumstances at
tending the election Of Mr. johnson. saying
that the Mayor had made no statement to the
Council at the last meeting except the bare fact
that Mr. johnson had resigned. and if there
had been any hasty action. it Was tie Mayor ;
fault.
Mr.. Clagett had voted against laying on the
table merely because he wanted to hear both
sides.
Mr.. Hopkins li<claimcd any desire to reflect
On the police board. He was cerlain that they
had dope their duty.
Mr.. Henderson advcrted to the manner in
which the Mayor had treated the Police COM
missoncrs and spoke warmy IN dcnunclatlon OF
his course lie thought the matter should be
investigated.
Mr.. Smith agreed with his colleague hecauSc
he wanted committee to settle all controversy
on the subject.
MIR. Hughes moved to refer the communities
ton to the Police commissioners. lie thought
that as they had charge Of police matters 1t
should 60 to them.
Mr.. Wheat explained that the difficulty with
the Mayor had grown out of some feeling OF
the Mayor towards himself. All the other com
mssoners were on good terms with MIR.
Latham. He was surprised that Mr.. Latham
had found champion in the gentleman Nlr.
Smith whose father had been inpri soncd by
the Mayor for doing his duty. For himself he
had been the subject of constant abuse by
the Mayor. But he was content that the re,
cord should stand Just as it was-his reniar ks
made in Counc! and the Mayor cards side by
side. Mr.. Wheat concluded by rendering his
resignation as a member Of the Police colnlns-
siOncrS.
Mr.. Smith was surprised that Mr.. Wheat
should refer to his MIR. SIS father. He want
ed everybody to know he did not depend upon
HIM for anything. His father
Mr.. Henderson, call you to ORDER. The
gentleman must conhne-
Mr.. Smitl,-IlI confiue myself when | get
there. He did not want anybody to insinuatc
anything, because he had father whom he
supposed was supported by this corporation;