Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-05-16

members, however, came in after the opening
of the meeting. a dozen persons gathered
outside Of the bar to hear the proceedings
AS soon as the minutes were read, the Chair
(Mr. Smoot) announced that the object for
which the Board was called was to receive a
report Of the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Massey said that although the meeting
was called to hear report from the FinanceCom-
mittee it did not preclude other business He said
the duties of the Finance Committee were very
onerous; the committee understood the condi-
ton of the people, that business was dull and
the people suffering, but they knew too that
the liabilities of the city must be met. There
could be no such thing as reputation; if the
Council did not levy the tax and pay the city
debts the courts would levy the tax and APP
point an officer to collect it. Beside this the
debt is an honest one. and the man who would
repudiate this debt might as we'll put his hand
in ones pocket and steal the money MIR.
Massey then introduced the resolution for the
collection Of taxes in arrear, found in the official
proceedings.
Mr.. NJ said that there were Sj1 900 due to
the city in ;lrrear, and that but 81, 400 had
been paid 10 collect this 81 400 nearly 10
per cent had been paid, leaving some $1,000
yet due. Taking out $4,000 as uncoect-
able $4,000 would remain, if this could
be collected it would reduce the taxes this year
-, per cent The resolution was adopted and
some business transacted without debate, which
| will be found in the official proceedings.
The Board of Aldermen We're then invited
to i Joint meeting to fill vacancies i'll the police
force, and an informal recess took place to
wait the coming of that Board.
Meanwhile il resolution had come in from
the Councils to turn over the unpaid tax bills
to the collectors.
Mr.. Massey was sure that the Board Of Al
dermen did not know what action the Council
had taken or else this action would not have
been taken. lie knew that the Board of Alder
men were sapicnt gentlemen, but they did not
have all the wisdom in the world The question
had been once settled, and should not be chang
cd by every popiniay who may happen to spring
up and offer his opinion on the spur OF the mo-
ment Did we not have Il law passed by the
legislature giving the right to collect these
taxes, vet some Scion, whose soul has been
transmitted from ancient Greece, now thinks
we have no power to collect them. What is it
his business if the Finance Committee will un-
dertake to do it: if they don't they arc fools
that's ALL yet the Finance Committee is one
Of the most respectable committees OF the
Council
Mr.. Shiun supposed that the Aldermen had
acted without knowing that the Council had
acted He supposed the most courteous course
would BIZ to non-concur and ask Il committee Of
conference.
Mr.. Wheat said that Mr.. Harmon and Mr..
French had concurred i'll the resolution which
Mr. Massey had reported from the Finance
Committee. and he WAS surprised that they
had sent this resolution to the Council.
Mr. Massey said that the Aldermen resolu
ton proposed to give these bills back to the
collectors The collectors had had these very
bills and had returned them as uncollectablc.
Were these bills given to the collectors the
$40, 900 would not be collected, The collectors
had given no bond in relation to these bills and
their sureties would not be bound for them.
He continued, saying the committees Of Council
did great deal of work. He did not think
that it was favor to elect man to Council.
Iou are giving him Il position i'll which ne will
get kicks and cuffs and be damned-he did not
mean profanity He did not desire to be re
elected, but he thought when committees had
devoted days to the consideration of Il subject
their recommendations should be treated with
respect.
,Eoint 0,cefiug. The Board of Aldermen en-
tered the chamber and the President of Coun-
Gil called the joint meeting to order, and sald
that the object Of the meeting WAS to elect two
police constabcS
Mr.. Massey, who had been speaking when
the Aldermen entered the chamber. continued
his remarks condcmnatory Of what he called
the conduct of the grand signcurs or upper
board.
The Chair said The member will suspend
his remarks.
Mr.. Massey felt that he was entitled to the
floor but would yield through courtesy.
The election for policemen WAS then gone
into
| Ia
mended James p Shrakes and \. J. Nichol
| son.
The following other nominations were made
By Mr.. Ncale, George Crcveling.
By Mr. Smoot Christopher Lyles.
Mr.. Massey advocated the nomination OF
Mr.. Crevcling Hewas small in stature, but if
the mind makes the man he towers to the pro-
; portion of Teemcmian Ajax. Laughter He
should vote for Mr. Crevelng
MIR. French thought if the Council desired to
encourage the police they should elect to the
force such ready-men as had done their duty:
COL Suite said Mr. Hedgcman handed
him Il paper asking an appointment on the
police and signed by some of the most respect
able men in town If this ballot was not Sic
cessiu he would nominate Mr.. He'd geman:
| The lst ballot was then proceeded with as
follows:
J. p Shrakcs, If; \. J. Nicholson, II; Geo
Crcvcling, - Geo. Lyles. l.
So Mr. ShrakeS and Mr. Nicholson were de-
clared elected
Mr.. Massey said that when the Greeks had
concluded their elections for magistrates it was
the custom Of the defeated candidates to rejoice
that better men than they had been chosen
He hoped that the defeated fana,dafe ~ouu
| ter
The Joint meeting then dissolved, and soon
after Mr. Massey, who had been appointed one
of the conference committee. to confer with
Aldelmcu's committee in relation to the I'M
paid bills, reported that the committee had
agreed to reccde and to adopt the resolution OF
Council.
After waiting for the action Of the Aldermen
until nearly | 0 clock, information was reccIv;,
ed that the Board Of Aldermen had rejected
the conference report. MIR. Massey declaring
there were some men who were afraid to press