Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-07-10
COMMON COUNCIL,

The Council met last night, but one member
being absent, aud very.Iarge attendance out
side the bar.
After some routine business,
Mr. Rock. 10 offering resolution declaring
that the Committee on Light should no longer
have power to elect 4 clerk Of the gas works.
but that that officer should be elected by the
City Council, said that the people were not
satisfied With the course CT the Committee on
Light. lie was satisfied that the people did sus-
tain him. and that we should elect clerk.
Mr. Green said that If the Committee on
Light had committed an error 10 the employ
ment Of clerk, they did not do soiutentionaIly.
MIR. Shlnn SAID the law authorized the cOm.
lnlttee to appoint clerk -.aa.
Mr.. Hopkins explained that several years
ago the Council, not intending to create a per-
lnanent Office, allowed the Committee on Light
| 10 bring up the work of the gas works. Council
lien fixed the salary of the clerk at $500.
Ai'erwardswhen some of the employees OF the
gas works wanted more pay, Council put the
whole ma.ter OF paying employees at the gas
works in the hands .ofthe committee, and on
this warrant the salary Of the clerk had been
| fixed at the present rate.
Mr.. Shinn said that ifzany member would
! look into the law regulating the gas works
they would see that it Was manifestly improper
for the Council to elect the clerk Of the Com
rnittee on Light. No committee Of Council
could devote time sufficient to examine the ac
counts of the gas works and be a check upon
the SunerinteHdent The clerkship was created
ut tim. when an important book was lost and
Il ieficIti"n suspected. He was their clerk
elected to do their duty, and it would be bad
policy TO take fro.n the committee the appoint
nent Of their clerk There were few honest
lnru All men had their price, aud it was
necessary to establish checks n the transaction
of any monetary business, especially in con-
ccru like the gas WORKS whose nett profits alone
We're $1,000 i Year. He suggested reference
of the resolution 10 the Committee on Light
Mr. Rock wished to know if the Committee
on Light was the only committee that worked
without pay. But he though, that that officer
was paid $1,000 year He had heard more
discussion, discomfort, and doubt on this sub
jet than upon any other, and thought they
should be needed. He was acquainted with a
number Of gentlemen Of equal capacity with
the present clerk who would do the work for
30 per ct. less than the salary now paid.
Mr. Evans was opposed To the resolution
going to the Committee on Light They might
keep il for months He favored immediate
action. The Council was abundantly compc-
tent 10 decide the question.
Mr.. Echhcrg asked if the clerk Of the gas
works was az officer Of the Corporation.
Mr. Shnn-lle is not.
Mr. Eichberg then thought that Council had
10 right u interfere. but it the clerk was an
officer Of the city then he was in favor Of the
resolution
Mr.. lInpkit:s thought they might try the
Committee Oh Light, but it might he that they
would gohble it up HIS idea was that it would
be gobhled up quicker than Il spring turtle
would huIl-trog. He had made several at
tcmptS in this line but they were gobbIed up
when they reached the other board. He hoped
the prcscut resolution would be more Fortunate
The motion to refer vas not agreed to, and
the resolution was passed.
The Corporation accounts for the year were
then read, and il appearing unlikely that the
Aldermen would pass the revenue bill in time
for the Councii to act upon it, without another
meeting, the Board at $40 adjourned.