Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-07-24


Council during the discussion of the I'm inst.
on the market house question, and that in sew
eral instances | was misrepresented, lam again
forced to intrudc upon your notice. to remove
the impressions that such uninundcd dccara-
tons may have created.
Mr.. Hopkins stated that complained that
no notice had been taken of my plan, and said
the TACT was, that it was supposed that H.
lloHhmgt0n'S plum acas proposed as u .j0Lr.
The gentleman and his fellow partisans of the
Cluss plan, may have considered it us Il joke.
Mr. Shnn evidently so viewed it, when it was
showed to him, or, at least, made 4 joke OF it,
by saying it was the 493u plan that had been
suggested
Iwillnow cndeayor to show with what propricty
these "Solomons' who think they have I'LL the
wisdom of the city embodied in their clique have
acted in this matter, and what confidence can
be placed in gentlemen who arrogatc to them
selves such superior talent and qualifications rs
to cause them to overcome that sense Of pro-
pricty rhich IS gclcyuly inliutirc Of merit,
and to try to force themselves into position
involving great responsibility. The plan which
Mr.. Hopkins and his fellow partsans Of the
Cluss plan, supposed TO have been proposed as
Il joke, first received the approval OF MIR. b. +.
Price, who said it was superior, and to be pre-
terrcd to either Lambdin's or Cluss' S plans, then
to Mr.. Vincent who expressed favorable views
Of it, after which it was shown to several prom
inent gentlemen. all of whom approved Of it.
Being thus encouraged, determined to present
the plan to the Board of Aldermen, and ask for
Il committee to examine and determine II 1t
had any merit or not, \ committee composed
of Mr. French, Gen. CorSc and Jud &c Under
wood was appointed, and these gentlemen took
time to give the plan critical examination and
concluded to recommend that Il JOINT committee
he appointed to examine it further, ana il, APP
proved, combine its most ncrltorlUlls qualities
with those Of other plans. The report was re-
ccivcd, and the committee appointed from the
Board Of Aldermen, | believe, without 4 dis
scnting voice.
We thus find the Board Of Aldermen recon-
mcpding to the Common Council Il plan, which
Mr.. Hopkins and his fellow partisanS OF, the
Clu>$ plan. supposed WAS offered IN 4 Joke.
Since the action Of the Board Of Aldermen the
plan has been pronounced by Mr.. Lamb,!in as
preferable to the plans submitted by himself or
Mr. CIusS and few days since by the late
President of the Common Council, MIR. }. b..
Smoot, who WAS one of the committee that
presented the Cluss plan, and believe. is
looked upon Us possessing more architectural
gentlemen Of that committee.
Mr.. Smoot says that the outline Of the
general plan msuJr2Inr unI m""ts M: rt!cs n
miKiy and rconony Gi' Stncr hth,' thu" III"
tNu&S plan.
And again We find Mr.. Jas. Green, Il gen
tlcnan OF rare experience in building and i'm
pruvelncmtS cXprrSSin" himself IN Fave" 81 the
plan proposed by me.
Notwithstanding these endorsements and
preferences by some OF our most talented and
experienced citizens, Of the plan ! Submitted
We find Mr. Hopkins and his fellow partlsans OF
the CluSS plan looking upon its presentation as
Il joke
In regard tn Mr. Hopkins assertion, that |
seemed t. suppose that my plan WAS entitled to
some special consideration because was an
Alderman. will but declare it to be Il piece OF
impcrtinancc unworthy Of my consideration
Mr.. Shinn said that he never saw such
factnus opposition us the action of these gem
tlcncn of the Board of Aldermen. whO ne says
being unable Ia carry ont their narrow ideas,
were now in favor OF Keeping the public ont of
Il market house because they cannot get their
views adopted.
| uncquivocaly pronounce this statement to
be untolndc'l and unworthy Of the gent Icman
who uttered it, for he knCwwhcn he made the
assertion, that had that evening told him that
intended tn. seek IN opportunity white the two
boards We're in Convention. To propose Il method
by which thought the conflicting" views ct the
two boards could hc rcconci led. And that was
so anxious To see the work commenced, Hnd
o"r J"rYc HARE IT ""'Aft ho"": btj"rr he up
U,umrhing wiuf'r. as to induce ne to propose to
undertake to have it built at once Tor the sum
of ten thousand dollars insurance money now in
i,I ln,tIp
in me to apply for the privilege to propose L
compromise when the two boards were in joint
session? II he WAS rs anXiuIls to have the
people accommodated, why did he and his
fellow partisans of the Cluss plan not come
forward and meet me in 4 cOnclllatory spirit !?
WHY was the Convention told by Mr.. Wheat
that the Common Council had well considered
the matter, and that no one could be induced
TO change his vote by amy remarks that might
br then made
Was the discourtcollS refusal to listen Il lew
moments to reason and words of reconciliation
an evidence that the gentleman and his fellow
partisanS Of the tluSS plan. w"I~ FREE .fiUn' ttc
fious opyoMii;," Mcn,ScIr'&? Did it not rather
prove that certain gentlemen had arrngatcd to
themselves all the talent, experience and skill
necessary for the improvement, and that they
exhibited Il most stubborn fictitious opposition
To any other suggestions or plans, than the one
they had become such strong partIsanS OF.
The Board Of Aldermen proposed the ap-
pointmcnt Of IL JOINT committee OF four from
each branch one from each ward composed OF
eight of our most experienced citizens, to re-
examine the CuSS plan with any others that
may be submitted, and to employ an architect
to cmhody all the good points of the various
plaus 50 rs to have rs perfect Il building as
possible. If the Cluss plan has the superior
merit its partiSans claim for it, certainly an I'M
prcudiccd committee would discover and re-
affirm it. No reasonable man could object to
proposition like this, but should rather APP
prove of it, as it would he a source OF satistac-
ton to have il plan that has been 50 severely
criticised rcailirmcd
have been told by the parli>anS Of the Cluss
plan that they object to having; that plan re,
GA ,rW "nt % n" I oj5 Why IS it because
another plan has been submitted which was
considered iokc-do they fear to put this pet