Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-01
CITY Charter.

To the editor of the Alcraadriia Gazette: <
Isaw by your paper Jof yesterday, that the
action ofthe City Council had been severely
criticized,at public meeting on Monday night,
for their amendments to thecharterof the city.
I supposed that it was known to every man OF
intelligence in the city. that in many particulars
the old charter was in conflict with the present
constitution of the State. and it was lmpera-
lively the duty of Council to so amend the char
ter as to make it accord with that instrument;
besides these corrections there were three other
changes made, which l think will meet the ap-
probation of large majority Of the tax-paying
portion Of our population. First, the charter
proposes to give Council the power to appoint
the Collector Or Collectors of taxes, giving him
the same power that Sheriffs had, and holding
him to the same responsibility By this amend
ment the Collector is held responsible to the
Council for j faithful performance of his duty,
and will understand that failure to discharge
his duty will sub ject him to removal from Office.
We have already seen candidate for re-elec-
ton announce the fact in his card, that he has
never distressed any person for taxes, and there
fore the people should re-elect him. There are
now seventy four thousand dollars Of delinquent
taxes due the Corporation much OF it due on
real estate-and no power in the hands OF the
Collector to make it. Many thousands Of dol
lars of these bills are now in the hands Of an
Attorney to collect and the Corporation is to
pay Attorneys, Clerks and Sheriffs fees and
commissions for collection; for these reasons
change was desirable Council was further
aware of the fact, that in the days of Edward
Burchell, when he was appointed Collector by
Council, his delinquent list never exceeded two
thousand dollars. whereas by the elective prln-
cple the late Collector returned more than
twenty-seven thousand dollars. Ought not
these facts satisfy taxpayers that change is
necessary?
The second change is giving the collector of
gas bills the same power as the collector, OF
taxes. Unless this is done, the exemption law
fourths of the bills due for gas.
The last, and, as understand, the greatest
outrage. is to give Council the power to ap-
point the minor officers of the city. Some of the
opponents Of this section say they favor the APP
pointment of collector by Council, but it is out
rageous to trust Council with power to appoint
a weigher of hay. or clerk of the market: or
measurer Of wood or Inspector or guager Of
liquor: and that this proposition is so monstrous
and repugnant to the people: that the Leglsla-
ture should give the dear people the right to
show by their votes how they abhor and detest
the proposition.
Now this is sweet music from the mouth Of
the demagogue. and may serve him in accom-
plishing his ends but what will the taxpayer
say to this? He will say this scheme is to cost
us two hundred and fifty dollars, and when he
is to pay heavy costs, and jury Is to pass upon
rights of vital interest to him, he would at least
prefer that majority of the jury should not be
deaf and dumb, but would have the capacity of
hearing the law, and the evidence. before they
give their verdict